Catherine Chabot apologizes. And yet, his reaction is profoundly human. By recounting the adventure The candidate, the actress suddenly feels tears welling up and clouding her vision. She stops and places her ring fingers under her eyes, to prevent any overflow. Too late. A few tears already wet his cheeks. “Luckily we took the photos beforehand!” »
Catherine Chabot is not sad. She becomes moved when she thinks back to the auditions she passed to land “the role of a lifetime”, that of Alix Mongeau, a pole candidate who causes a surprise by winning her elections, in the offering of Isabelle Langlois (Let go, Rumors). She becomes moved as she recounts how her agent informed her that she had obtained the coveted contract.
And above all, she is moved by recalling an interview with Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), in which the British author, actress and producer recounted that upon leaving the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she felt she had to stifle her own light and “reduce who she really was” to break into the the industry. The result: every time she auditioned, she was a shadow of her former self.
“When I left the Conservatoire, I experienced the same thing,” reveals Catherine Chabot, with a lump in her throat. I am an expressive person. I am full. But I was afraid to be completely myself. I didn’t dare give up. Alix Mongeau allowed me to break that. She allowed me to radically be who I was as an actress. »
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Catherine Chabot revealed herself as an actress thanks to The candidate.
The candidate, for me, it’s much more than a character, it’s much more than a series; it is the actress who comes into the world. I have grown so much.
Catherine Chabot
A role written for her
Freely inspired by the career of Ruth Ellen Brosseau, this former assistant bar manager, inexperienced in politics, whom the irresistible orange wave propelled to Parliament in the 2011 federal elections, The candidate paints the portrait of a single mother, a nail technician, obliged to learn the basics of the profession of deputy, for which she has no interest. Initially, at least.
In an interview, Catherine Chabot describes the unsuspected heroine as a “warrior”, an “extremely strong woman” with whom – against all expectations, given the exterior packaging – she shares several points in common. “I’m a girl who talks. I am a girl who loves the world. I worked in a bar for five years on [l’avenue du] Mont Royal. »
“This role was written for me,” she continues enthusiastically.
Alix has a way of speaking, a chatter, a retort, a poise, a drive… Like me, she talks too much, sometimes. She is spontaneous, without filter… And like me, her sense of self-deprecation is developed. It’s my way of getting through the challenges. It’s my defense mechanism.
Catherine Chabot
For Sébastien Gagné (Sleepless night), who co-directs The candidate with Charles-Olivier Michaud (Ru), Catherine Chabot delivers her best career performance as Alix Mongeau. Not only because she understands the particular musicality of Isabelle Langlois’s texts, but also because she expresses all the nuances and subtleties of a character which, in the hands of a less gifted actress, could have bordered on the caricature.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Sébastien Gagné, co-director of the series
“Catherine’s eyes are a little magical,” says Sébastien Gagné. When Alix records her statement at the police station and she recites all the insults she suffered, we can read her soul through her eyes. »
Spray self-tanner
If Catherine Chabot experienced no difficulty, personality-wise, in establishing a connection with Alix Mongeau, the work proved more tedious on the look side. We’re talking about an almost complete metamorphosis, with big swipes of aerosol self-tanner (spray tan), false eyelashes, brushing, jewelry, jeans well tight (as Marie-Chantal Toupin would say), belly sweaters, necklines and, above all, false nails.
PHOTO BERTRAND CALMEAU, PROVIDED BY RADIO-CANADA
Catherine Chabot in The candidate
“In everyday life, I am zero girlie,” emphasizes the 35-year-old actress. I’m the opposite of Alix. But I was super comfortable the same. I thought it was funny! There’s just my boyfriend… When I arrived home, he was like: “You’re really orange.” And the spray tan, it stains the sheets. When I left for work at 4 a.m., I left a big brown mark in the bed. It wasn’t sexy! »
Priority: play
Best known to the general public as an actress, with roles in Leo, Hotel And Liar, Catherine Chabot is also a playwright. His creations include Lines of flighta play presented in 2019, then adapted for cinema in 2022, with Léane Labrèche-Dor and Mariana Mazza.
Catherine Chabot confirms that she has other writing projects in the works, but none that she wishes to announce. “Writing requires a lot of love, a lot of time and a lot of energy,” emphasizes the mother of a 2-year-old little girl. I’m burning up, but today I want to play. »
On this aspect, Catherine Chabot claims to be well served. A “beautiful project” awaits him in the spring, and Noovo will present this winter The arenaa sketch comedy that she filmed last fall, with Benoit Brière, Phil Roy, Catherine St-Laurent and Sophie Cadieux.
Catherine Chabot plays the new flame of a hockey player played by Valérie Tellos, who plays her political attaché in The candidate. The arena also marks his reunion with Sébastien Gagné, who directs the series. “It was a very family-friendly shoot,” says the actress. I felt confident. I felt like I had a safety net. »
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, THE PRESS
Valérie Tellos and Catherine Chabot during the filming of The arenalast fall
Like most (if not all) people who have devoured The candidate on ICI Tou.tv Extra in recent months, Catherine Chabot would like a sequel to become reality, but unfortunately, nothing is planned, says Radio-Canada.
“We would definitely like a second season. Because it’s special, as a series. There is so much to say. There is a real story, real issues. »
ICI Télé presents The candidate Tuesdays at 9 p.m. starting January 9. Noovo broadcasts The arena Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. starting January 10.