After a difficult end to 2022 due to health problems, Ginette Reno attacked 2023 with full force by managing several projects at the same time. In recent months, the 77-year-old singer has been fully committed to pleasing her audience, which is always there and enthusiastic.
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Ginette Reno's passion for music and singing remains her driving force. In early 2023, she presented a new album entitled C'est tout moi, which contains 14 original songs written especially for her. “For this album I collaborated with my loved ones: Romano Musumarra, Rick Allison, my son Pascalin, Luc Gilbert and Jacques Veneruso,” she explained at the time of her record’s release. “This album is like a combination of intensity, suffering and spirituality.”
Less than three weeks after its release, this 42nd Ginette Reno album was certified gold, an award that highlights sales of 40,000 copies. Apparently Quebecers still hold the singer in their hearts. The diva also proves that even at her age it is possible to maintain an evolving career and a repertoire that is constantly enriched with new titles. “My voice is still not that bad,” she said in an interview. I think my voice was at its best in my fifties, but I would say that I sing better today because I do it with my whole being, with everything that I am, in my body, in my head and in my heart .”
Photo: Julien Faugere / TVA Publications
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A BIG RECOGNITION
In early November, Ginette Reno won the Félix in the Album of the Year – Adult Contemporary category at the Premier Gala de l'ADISQ, before winning the award in the Album of the Year – Popular Success category at the Sunday evening gala. where she also offered a surprising performance with FouKi. “It is always a pleasure to win a Félix, even after a career of almost 65 years and 42 albums,” she said in the press room after accepting her award. “I'm proud and honestly can't stop listening to my album. I find myself even singing the songs to get back to sleep when I wake up at night.”
A week later, she was honored with SOCAN's Lifetime Achievement Award. “When I looked at it, I said to myself, I've been singing for 64 years. I always sing like it's the first time, and as I get older, like it's the last time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank from the bottom of my heart all the authors and composers I had the pleasure of meeting, who often had the foresight to see through me and write me songs that brought me to life. “I learned how to live “, she thanked.
Photo: Julien Faugère
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TOUCHING TRUST
In addition to her album, Ginette Reno released her autobiography, soberly titled “Ginette,” in which she speaks without shame and with an open heart. “When I was writing my book, I experienced everything you could imagine,” she said in an interview. “Sometimes I started to cry: I was inconsolable. Sometimes I went for a walk in the park to calm myself down because I was suffocating. There were things I didn't want to say because they hurt too much. I was also hesitant to post it because I didn't want to hurt anyone. But in the end it’s still a great exercise.”
The singer spoke in particular about her father, who was an alcoholic and violent, and her mother, whose violence was more verbal, but for whom the suffering was just as important and deep. “Despite everything, she is the woman I loved most in the world and I still love her. Recently I realized that there are many things that remain mysterious. I need to stop obsessing about trying to understand everything. I realized I needed to slow down my intensity.”
Ginette Reno's childhood was really not easy and she still bears the scars from it. “There was a lot of violence at home, so I became a scared person,” she confessed in an interview with Paul Arcand. “Today I can’t stand it anymore, I can’t even watch a violent film.”
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This book also allowed her to meet her admirers as she undertook a large book signing tour of Jean Coutu pharmacies in the province. Many of them wanted to meet their idol on every stage of this unusual tour.
Through this exercise of putting her past on paper, we sense that the woman has also calmed down and is gaining self-confidence. “I'm getting better and better at recognizing my desires and what I no longer want. Just as I commit to taking better care of myself. I started saying no, a word that wasn't in my vocabulary. I’m becoming my best friend, it’s because of age.”
Photo: Julien Faugère
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FILIGREE LOVE
In all those interviews to promote her album, her free show or even the TVA special with Paul Arcand, Ginette Reno spoke of the love that saved her. “I have the sacred fire. I try to remember that I am full of love. Instead of complaining, I trust in my loving parents. Today God is the father and mother that I did not have as a child. He loves me madly. There is nothing more important than love in life. If you're not in love, you're no longer alive. I'm talking about the love of life, of wonder. You must be in a state of love. It hurts, but it's not serious. That's life.”
Regarding the love for Karlo, her accomplice for 30 years, the situation is always complicated. In April, Ginette told 7 Jours magazine that she had always loved him but that it was no longer possible. However, in November she showed up on his arm at the SOCAN gala. “Karlo has been in my life for 30 years. “I love him so much,” she exclaimed on the red carpet.
Photo: Julien Faugere / TVA Pu
PROJECTS FOR 2024
Even though she has had to cancel several engagements in recent weeks in order to find some peace after a stressful year, Ginette has many plans for the future. “I would like to do a series of shows called Ginette chante Reno. I judge what I can do based on my health, because it's difficult for me to stay on my feet for long.” She continues to work on her children's show and another album. “I'm preparing an album of covers in English. I also have a project with Luc Plamondon, who asked me to do a show in Europe where I would cover some of his songs. It really excites me.”
To follow Ginette Reno news, buy her record or book, visit her website.