Julie Saint-Pierre, a daily newspaper presenter at Rouge FM, surprised everyone when she arrived on the set of the blind auditions for “La Voix” on Sunday night.
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In 2002 she took part in “Mixmania”, 21 years later she tried her luck in another singing competition, but for different reasons.
“I don’t come to ‘La Voix’ hoping to be a singer,” she explained in an interview. I am very good at my life. I host radio every day, it’s my job and I hope I’ll never stop. It’s mostly a personal choice to do me good, to prove things to myself, besides accepting to be the singer that I am.
What she loves to do most in the world is to sing on TV and the show is a good stepping stone to satisfy that pleasure. “Maybe because I experienced it first. It also brings together passions like media, communication and music. On the other hand, as I get older, the pre-performance stress increases and I hope to have the opportunity to learn how to manage my stress better.
Marc Dupré, Marjo and Mario Pelchat assisted in the turnaround on his rendition of Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.” “I tried not to have any expectations. I would have liked all four chairs to turn at the same time, but that doesn’t really matter that much in the end. However, I knew that no coach would recognize me singing, they don’t know that voice. But knowing that the three of them flip their chair is very enriching.
The mother of two strengthens the team of Marc Dupré, whom she has known for several years. “With him, I knew I would be safe during this experience, I felt like I would feel good. Furthermore, I saw in his eyes that he was surprised to see me there, but I also felt that he understood the whole path that brought me to this stage. It touched me and I felt validated.”
All options are now open to Julie Saint-Pierre, whose only goal is to reach at least one life to live a complete experience. “We’ll see what will happen before or after, I’m staying very open. Above all, I wish to be well, to be accepted by the public, and I hope that I can continue to learn something about myself.
And if she won this edition of “La Voix”, would she be ready to make an album, a tour, to start a career as a singer? “I think we could find a formula, something that I could be comfortable in and that would represent me. Whether I win the final or someone offers me something afterwards, if it fits with who I am and what I want to give, why not. I don’t want to limit myself.”
Jay, 24, Montreal
Arriving in Quebec at the age of 18, it took Jay some time to find his voice. “One day I wrote a song in Creole. There was no room for imitation. I realized I had to express myself with that voice. It is surprising that I was able to achieve all of this by writing in my native language. Then it turned out that he had everything he needed to launch a career in music. However, when the four coaches turned around at his rendition of “Stand Up,” Marc Dupré was blocked by Mario Pelchat, and he chose to join Corneille’s team in living this adventure. “I recognize myself in him. We don’t have the same story at all, but we experienced roughly the same uprooting. We didn’t have a chance to grow up with our parents. I lived with my aunt in Haiti until I came to Quebec to live with my father. My mother, I don’t really know her.
Evodia, 22 years old, Quebec
After being in the top 30 by Star Académie last year, Évodia wanted to continue her momentum by subscribing to La Voix. “I’ve been making music for ages, but I didn’t think I could go any further. For me, taking part in La Voix is like the beginning of something.” When she was younger, she sang in her living room with a plastic microphone and dreamed of a big career. “I said I would be a singer one day. It’s like a dream that’s starting to take shape and I’m starting to believe it more and more.” To seduce the trainers, she adopted the Stromae song “Hell,” which is about suicide. “When I saw it When I first heard it, I said to myself I could have written it. When I sing, I always find this initial emotion. That’s my truth and probably the truth of a lot of people who’ve heard me.” Academic, rugby player, spirited, her message is don’t get attached to looks. “You never know what people are going through. We can seem busy and happy, but when we go home alone, things aren’t going well, our mind is playing tricks on us. The fact that she has decided to continue the adventure with Corneille is mainly due to her humanity. “What I like about Corneille is his whole background, as an artist and as a person. His sensitivity comes to me.
Nadia-Lyse Perrone, 76, Montreal
The oldest contestant in La Voix history, Nadia-Lyse Perrone, is proud of her success. “I do this for my granddaughter Annabelle. Her dream is to take part in the show “Revolution”. She takes dance lessons, but it takes courage and perseverance. Sometimes she gives up. I told her that one day Grandma would do something that would surprise her. Over the decades she has been able to record 45s, take part in the Jeunesse d’Aujourd’hui program and sing in many cabarets and singing clubs. “I’ve worked with Yuki Rioux, Mitsou’s mother, Stéphane Venne and even played in Gilles Latulippe’s Théâtre des Variétés. I’ve had moments of downtime, I’ve done shows with friends. Recently I sang at “C la Boîte à Chantal”, the cabaret of the impersonators of Chantal Robert. It was great for me, I started singing again when I was 71. She already feels safe with her trainer Marjo, the only one who has turned around for her. “Marjo is easy, his welcome touched me a lot. I was touched.” With “La Voix” she has the impression that the circle closes, but not completely. “Let me sing again”, as Alice Roby said, because I like it and I feel comfortable on stage. Me will continue to sing as much as possible and always be proud of myself.”
Team Rookies:
Corneille team
Christa Maria Abou Akl, 20, Montreal
Jay, 24, Montreal
Evodia, 22 years old, Quebec
Team Marc Dupre
Julie Saint-Pierre, 37, Montreal
Ariane Simard, 18, Gatineau
Team Marjo
Will, 25, Drummondville
Nadia-Lyse Perrone, 76, Montreal
Mario Pelchat team
Dominic Lafond, 41, Sainte-Therese
Mathieu-Philippe Perras, 33, Montreal