In this third season of Masked singers15 personalities slip into costumes, each more extravagant than the last, to offer us colorful numbers. Last Sunday we discovered that the beautiful seahorse was… Fabienne Larouche!
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Fabienne, what a surprise to see you Masked singers!
I’m most surprised because I can’t sing. And that’s exactly what I replied to Martin Proulx, the content producer, when he asked me to take part in the show. “Thank you for thinking of me, but it won’t work, I have no talent for singing.” He had predicted it: I am not the first participant who has no talent for singing.
What do you mean?
He explained to me that I could take singing lessons from Marie-Ève Riverin to prepare before recording the song in the studio. He also assured me that we could repeat certain parts of the song as many times as we wanted to achieve the notes we wanted.
He has convinced you!
In fact, Céline Dion convinced me. Let me explain: The Masked Singers offer came just as Celine Dion announced that she was suffering from Stiff Person Syndrome. I said to myself: “I’m taking part because I have the medical ability.” I don’t know Céline personally, I don’t even know if she knows who I am, but it’s thanks to her that I made the decision have to take on this challenge.
And which song did you choose?
First, I suggested French songs without vocal acrobatics. But my voice was easy to recognize in French. We therefore chose “River Deep, Mountain High”, originally sung by Tina Turner and later covered by Céline Dion.
It’s not the easiest song!
That’s true, but as long as you enjoy the experience, why not go all out! (laughs) I worked hard in the months leading up to the recording. I took it seriously and had a lot of fun!
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a singer?
Yes. When I was young I was a big fan of Tina Turner, I sang her songs, but since I loved many things, my mother enrolled me in drawing lessons, piano lessons, swimming lessons… That never bothered me. It occurred to me to take singing lessons. The same goes for dancing: I’ve never taken lessons, which explains why I have no talent in that area either. Can you believe it: At 64 years old, it was the first time in my life that I had to learn choreography!
Your lover, Michel Trudeau, and you work together at Aetios Productions. Was he in on the secret?
It would have been impossible to hide my participation from him! However, he couldn’t accompany me to the set because if an investigator had met him backstage, he would have immediately known that I was hidden under one of the costumes! So I had this experience alone, which was really special since we’re pretty close. (Fabienne thinks and adds:) I love my job as a producer, all the TV shows I produce accompany me day and night. But for three months I had something I did just for myself. And I didn’t hate it.
Did this experience make you want to step out of your comfort zone? Could we see you singing somewhere else?
NO! (laughs) If I hadn’t been in costume, I would never have taken part in Masked Singers, I would have been too embarrassed to sing as myself. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and that’s why it’s so magical!
Filming secret
“Participants do not drive to the MELS studio. You have to put on a black camouflage suit with gloves and a beekeeping helmet and then go to the meeting point dressed like this to board the production truck. My lover Michel came to carry me to a street corner. I left quickly, afraid someone would call the police! I looked like a thief ready to rob a bank!” (laughs)
New scheduling: Masked singersSunday 6:30 p.m., on TVA.