On the stage of the National, in the usual setting enhanced with garlands and lights, Nathalie Simard warms up her voice on her classic Love took its time. Behind, the Salebarbes band waits their turn to perform five songs which will later make the crowd dance. On this Wednesday afternoon in December, it’s already Christmas Belle and Bum. It’s also time for the mid-season report to be handed out to Normand Brathwaite’s three new co-hosts, to whom their mentor awards a generous “A”.
A few hours before the recording of the 18e episode special Holiday Belle and Bum of 90 minutes, which will brighten up, as tradition dictates, the evening of December 24 at Télé-Québec, Marie-Josée Gauvin, Fabiola Nyrva Aladin and Lunou Zucchini come and go in the room during rehearsals, childish smiles plastered on their faces .
In individual interviews, the words of one echo the words of the other: all three still can’t believe having been chosen to accompany Normand Brathwaite on rotation, in a now cult show (it’s the 21e season), which they have known and watched since childhood. Without having to audition. In all three cases, all it took was one call, and the matter was closed. We demanded their distinctive energy, all their own.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Fabiola N. Aladin, Marie-Josée Gauvin and Lunou Zucchini with Normand Brathwaite
“It was explained to me that we wanted something younger, very natural. I would never have dared to apply for such a position, but trust me, I was super flattered,” relates Lunou Zucchini, the youngest member of the group at 28, who was recovering from a virus and struggling with a loss of voice at the time of this meeting.
Discoveries
Their imposter syndrome swallowed, the lucky ones measured their privilege. At 38, Marie-Josée Gauvin says she grew up in front of Nice and warmthe summer ancestor of Belle and Bum, where a young and even crazier Normand Brathwaite was already sparking the next generation of musicians. She then rubbed shoulders with the star host at CKOI, around fifteen years ago, and today realizes a dream of vibrating with him to songs and fresh water.
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Marie-Josée Gauvin
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Lunou Zucchini
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Fabiola Nyrva Aladin
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Marie-Josée Gauvin, Lunou Zucchini and Fabiola Nyrva Aladin
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“I talk about it and I still get big chills. I have fun with Norman. I feel lucky to be able to be part of this gang, which has been around for years,” says Marie-Josée.
HAS Belle and Bumthe door is wide open: everyone can come to our party, you be cool, music scholar or you only know popular music. Music is contagious!.
Marie-Josée Gauvin
“ Belle and Bum, it is the beginning and maintenance of all our musical artists. It’s our way of keeping up to date, of discovering, of reliving important moments in our musical history. It’s really valuable. We don’t want a world without Belle and Bum ! », skull with humor Fabiola N. Aladin, 34 years old, whose media visibility exploded in 2023, in particular thanks to her columns in I am coming to youat Noovo, and at ICI Première.
The trio no longer counts the talents revealed to them Belle and Bum this autumn. Gauvin gets excited about VioleTT Pi and ALICE (and his excerpt Until shit do us part), Aladin has a crush on Aliocha Schneider and Laura Niquay, Zucchini now listens to Aysanabee and Comment Debord.
The Bum, for his part, does not spare flowers with regard to his Belles.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Normand Brathwaite admits it: he “lives” at the National, he who is at 21e year at the animation of Belle and Bum.
They are very disciplined. Marie-Josée is solid as a host, Lunou, as a singer, Fabiola, as a human being…
Norman Brathwaite
Just the music
The movement of female acolytes, after the departure of Mélissa Lavergne in the spring, does not seem to have upset the public of Belle and Bum. On the contrary: the audience of 142,000 viewers is up 27% compared to the same date last year, indicate Télé-Québec and producer Sphère Média.
After 21 years of playing his instruments – he has never missed a single meeting, not even a rehearsal, he maintains – Normand Brathwaite says he is ready to continue the adventure, at least for one more year. “I live here,” he jokes about the National.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The group Salebarbes is from the special Christmas episode of the show
From the holiday version of Belle and Bum, he says he is happy with the still electric atmosphere. This year, in addition to Nathalie Simard and Salebarbes, Chef Oli, Mateo, Krystel Mongeau (winner of Star Academy 2022) and Innu soprano Elisabeth St-Gelais will celebrate for the occasion. We also announce a tribute to Karl Tremblay, on one of the most festive and luminous pieces in the Cowboys Fringants repertoire.
“It’s really a party. We only make music. No comedy, no sketches, no wigs. This is the Bye who did it. No surprises to the guests, this is the country of France Beaudoin. Just music! », Proudly insists Normand Brathwaite.
The show Holiday Belle and Bum will be broadcast on Sunday, December 24, at 8 p.m., on Télé-Québec.