France D’Amour and Roxane Bruneau had crossed paths only once before The voice. It was last summer at the Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa. The trend has passed, and this winter, they will be next to red armchairs in the popular TVA singing competition. “They sat us next to each other. I feel like I’m at school, when you’re with your boyfriend, and you just feel like being silly! », says Roxane Bruneau.
The feeling is mutual. It was ” love at first sight » (love at first sight), insists France D’Amour.
The complicity between the two singers is not feigned. At least, it didn’t seem like it during our meeting at the MELS studios in Saint-Hubert, in December, after half a day of recordings.
It must be said that neither one nor the other is particularly diva. Apart from a “No!” » well-felt launched by Roxane Bruneau to the photographer who wanted to take a photo of her during our interview (“I look like a pile of shit when I sit”, she explains), the authors- composer-performers are disarmingly simple. Is this the reason why the new panel of coaches that they form with Corneille and Mario Pelchat delights the production team as much? Maybe.
One thing is certain, as in the American adaptation, where Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and company often – but gently – take each other for a walk, the coaches Quebecers will frequently throw barbs at each other during this 10e season, promises production. And because everything was made clear before starting filming, no ego would have been hurt.
I know Mario. I know he can be touchy sometimes. But this year, everything! He boards.
France D’Amour about Mario Pelchat
The extracts shown to journalists seem to confirm France D’Amour’s words. In the first episode, we even hear Mario Pelchat say that he would like to “de-humanize” himself.
“We play with each other, we fool around… He gets involved in everything! », says Roxane Bruneau.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Host Charles Lafortune, with France D’Amour, Roxane Bruneau, Mario Pelchat and Corneille
News coaches with experience
France D’Amour and Roxane Bruneau are not new to The voice.
The first inherits the role of coach after replacing Marjo at short notice last winter, when the tireless rocker contracted COVID-19. And some may have forgotten it, but France D’Amour briefly supported Marc Dupré as a mentor in 2014. This position has since been abolished.
“ [Les mentors] didn’t have much impact, observes the singer-songwriter. Marc and I spoke on the phone. I had made some song suggestions, comments… But Marc knew where he was going. I felt like I was sitting at the back of the bus, and when I said what, it never went all the way to the front. »
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
France of Love
Ironically, Roxane Bruneau would have liked to count on the help of a mentor during the duels stage this year. To be able to consult someone before eliminating a participant.
“I wouldn’t have said no,” she says. It’s still difficult, making a decision! »
The singer ofIn my way, Little pieces of you And I’m not stressed was also part of the adventure in 2023. She assumed the functions of “fifth coach » and recruited candidates rejected at blind auditions so that they could benefit from a second chance in a parallel adventure on the Internet. His first observation when joining the main competition? “There is more budget on TV! I have a real piton, a real chair! »
His arrival within the official group of coaches is all the more significant since in 2013, Roxane Bruneau attended the recording of a show from the stands, far from the central action, when she did not imagine pursuing a career in music.
“I really enjoy it,” says the new recruit. I always look forward to coming to the studios. I forget that we’re doing a TV show because it’s such a beautiful human experience, with real people, real emotions. I find it fascinating to be confronted with the prejudices I had as a viewer, when I thought everything was fixed. In the end, there aren’t any views guys! »
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Roxane Bruneau
No guarantee
Detail to note this year: the entire season is pre-recorded, among other things to save production costs. No more telephone voting to determine the winner live. The 101 spectators in the studio will choose their favorite.
Another new feature (which we’ve been waiting for for a long time, to be honest): the final will pit four candidates against each other, but no place is guaranteed. Due to a system of cross confrontations, a coach could lose his two protégés in the semi-finals and arrive in the final round empty-handed, says director Jill Niquet-Joyal.
This possibility tormented France D’Amour during our visit. “If I have to bring my knitting to the final, I’ll find it handy! »
“But France, that’s what they [les producteurs de l’émission] want, intervenes Roxane Bruneau. They want us to be stressed. They want us to feel some pressure. »
Mission accomplished.
The voice officially returns to TVA on Sunday January 21 at 7 p.m. A special retrospective program will be presented the previous Sunday.
She’s really funny. She could be a comedian. She has a lot of wit. As a big fan of humor, this is a point that charmed me. Plus, she’s a really good singer.
France D’Amour about Roxane Bruneau
She’s a professional woman. She knows how to take possession of a scene. She goes through the years. It is still relevant. It’s inspiring.
Roxane Bruneau about France D’Amour