Posted at 7:00 a.m.
Q. You have been presenting the show you are going to offer in Montreal for almost a year. How is it going ?
R. It’s really super. I’ve been on tour for 11 months. And I have a baby who turned 13 months recently. It’s exciting to be back on the road after the pandemic, but it’s harder than I thought to do it with a baby in your arms. […] Biologically, it’s harder than if I were his father. But I feel a lot of gratitude. I remind myself that people might not come to see me one day, so I keep going while I can, remembering how lucky I am.
Q. This is not your first time in Montreal, you who are originally from Sarnia, Ontario. How would you describe this “coming home”?
R. I love being able to play in Canada. Besides, I speak French. [En passant à la langue de Molière :] I went to school in French until I was 12, so I speak as well as a 12 year old! But I love being able to practice it. […] But, to answer your question, I’m not often invited to Canada, so it’s great to be able to be here.
Q. Why aren’t you invited?
R. I don’t think the industry is as dynamic in Canada as it is in the UK. There is this great pub culture there. There is also a part of that in Canada, but apart from Just for Laughs, I don’t have many opportunities to come back to it.
Q. Missus is your fifth show since 2016. What are you talking about?
R. I have pretty much the same style and the same vision as before, even if, like everyone else, I evolved on the creative side. In the early shows I was discussing how I never wanted to be in a relationship again and being a single mom [ndlr : elle a une jeune fille d’une première union]. But in the meantime, I went back to the town where I grew up, I ran into my childhood sweetheart and now we’re married and have a baby. So for this show, I’m talking about this: my new life as a married woman.
Q. You’re never shy about speaking up about being a woman in entertainment [ndlr : elle a récemment révélé avoir menti sur sa grossesse pour ne pas perdre son emploi à la télévision] or on misconduct in the comedy industry. Do you feel that the tide is turning?
R. I think it’s getting better, whether it’s for women or ethnic minorities, for example. But there is still this tendency to want to put women down, which comes a lot from other women, by the way. […] Generally speaking, I don’t have much to complain about, as I have achieved privileged status. But it’s still important to talk about these things for women who are not in my position. I know how it was and I don’t want to forget it.
Q. In addition to being a comedian and TV host, you wrote the Netflix series The Duchess and played there. Has it always been a goal for you to pursue an acting career at the same time?
R. Everything that’s happened in my life has kind of come and gone. It was the case with The Duchess. I’m very lucky to have been able to do this comedy series. We had never seen on TV the story of a single mother who is happy to be. I don’t know if you follow the Kardashians, but it’s kind of their story. Kim, Khloé and Kourtney are Duchess whether they know it or not!
Q. You talk about the Kardashians and it’s obvious that your humor has a lot to do with pop culture. What is its importance in your life and your inspirations?
R. When I started, I immediately wanted to talk about pop culture, but I was advised against doing so because it was in bad taste. I ended up going back to it. I’m talking about it because I love it and I know that’s how people are going to receive it. I’m lucky that a lot of women and gay men enjoy what I do! [rires]
Q. What have you learned from all these projects you are doing [dont une série sur Amazon, Backstage With Katherine Ryan] ?
R. I learned to carry out my own projects, to be the boss without being perceived as the bitch. It’s difficult when you’re a woman. But we have to make our voices heard, not be afraid to do so. Even I still have to learn in this area.
At the Maison Théâtre on July 29 and 30. She will also participate in the gala 40e anniversary of Just For Laughs at Théâtre Maisonneuve on July 30.