Survivor Quebec unveils its first cohort

The very first cohort of Survivor Quebec respects gender parity and includes several contestants who seem in good enough shape to start their own fitness TikTok account.

This is what we can see by taking a look at the descriptive sheets of the 20 candidates for Noovo’s new tele-hook, who will soon fly to Palawan, an island in the Philippines on which they will be delivered to them. themselves, far from all comforts, with the sole objective of withstanding eliminations for 44 days in the hope of pocketing $100,000.

Several participants practice a sporting profession, such as Karine, a 37-year-old karate teacher from Chelsea. A double medalist at the world karate championships, this combat sports enthusiast promises to be a formidable opponent, just like Marika, professional soccer player from Trois-Rivières, Maryse, physical education teacher from Montreal, Sandrine, co-owner of a club of cheerleadingand Denis, private trainer of Russian origin based in Varennes, whose wife is expecting their first child.

Some competitors with less “dynamic” professional occupations may also view the physical challenges with optimism. An operator in an aluminum smelter, Jean-Junior took part in the Canadiens’ training camp in 2002 and trained with Saku Koivu and Tomas Plekanec. Educator in a CPE in Drummondville, Pierre-Alexandre Guillot has several years of experience as an athlete and football player, hence his imposing size. Also included in this category are Marcus “Sango”, a video editor from Saint-Hubert who loves parkour, and Justine, a Gatineau civil servant with a past as a high-level athlete. Attention, the latter, a lover of puzzles, predicts that she will be the “crazy” of the group.

According to Patrice Bélanger, who will take control of Survivor Quebec, being able to run ultramarathons was not “a prerequisite” to participate in the show. “ Survivor in the United States has shown that you don’t have to be very, very fit to win, underlines the host. The physical aspect is just one aspect. Because there is also a strategic and social side. »

A “diverse” group

In a telephone interview, Patrice Bélanger salutes the diversity of the group of participants. “They come from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. They each have their own unique story. »

The age of the brave varies between 21 (Simon, a mechanic from Quebec who likes to play chess) and 52 (Isabelle, a financial services entrepreneur from Terrebonne, and Martin, an armored truck designer from Saint-Jean-sur -Richelieu able to “harpoon fish and light a fire in 30 seconds”).

Unsurprisingly, there are several enthusiasts of the American edition within the tribes, including Joël, a specialized educator who has returned to the gym since Noovo announced the arrival of the Quebec adaptation, Vicky, a civil servant from Gatineau 42 years old, and Sylvain, a bakery planner who has experienced (sometimes several times) the 43 seasons.

Only one competitor comes from outside Quebec. This is Johannie, director of a mental health care center in Caraquet, New Brunswick.

There are also Christophe, blue-collar worker from Boisbriand, Kimberly, podiatrist from Mascouche, Martine, political assistant from Lorraine, and Nicolas, a communications and marketing agent who has been the victim of homophobia and intimidation.

With a fine comb

Speaking of bullying, Productions J and Julie Snyder have redoubled their efforts to prevent a situation like Double occupancy Martinique breaks out again, says Patrice Bélanger. The facilitator qualifies the selection process as “super rigorous”. Spread over a few months, the recruitment took place in several stages and included a telephone interview, face-to-face meetings, physical (including pool swimming) and psychological examinations, criminal background checks, lark. The social networks of the candidates were also scrutinized, just to rule out aspirants with questionable behavior.

According to Patrice Bélanger, the fall saga ofOD made it possible to “improve” the selection process.

“The players know what they are getting into. They receive training on inclusion, systemic racism, consent and bullying. All people who participate in the show, regardless of their role, must follow them. »

Once the game has started, doctors and psychologists will be on site 24 hours a day to meet the needs of participants.

Congratulations for Melanie Maynard

Reality TV Survivor Quebec will be broadcast in the spring on Noovo. We do not know, however, in which time slot, and Patrice Bélanger is not able to reveal when his filming will begin.

However, he can discuss Mélanie Maynard, who will take over at the helm of Sweety salty this summer. TVA released the information on Thursday. “I texted it this morning, says the host of the last eight seasons of the show. I told her that I thought it was great and that she was the perfect person to take up the torch. It’s a nice logical sequence. She has some great summers ahead of her, because it’s really exhilarating to host Sweety salty. »