For 26 years she has lent her voice to Caillou, the famous children’s character. But actress Claudia Laurie wanted to come to the fore again with a new youth project. Here she presents Laurie’s world and her teenage character, who will be the little one’s “new best friend.”
“I think Caillou will always be with me, but I’m ready for a change. »
Claudia Laurie still loves to pronounce the little boy with no hair. Even every week she receives requests to send happy birthday wishes to all Caillou fans.
But a few years ago she came up with the idea of creating her own character: Laurie. This teenager of no defined age is hypersensitive and wears noise-cancelling headphones over her ears. “She has a calming side for children. She is her new best friend. We are aimed at children aged around 3 to 7 years. »
Based on her personal experience, Claudia Laurie decided to invent her new alter ego. It all started ten years ago when the actress was a victim of a car accident that left her with sound trauma.
“I had a super loud noise in my ears that resulted in tinnitus,” she says. When you’ve been working in sound since I was 14, doing vocals and dubbing… My life was completely turned upside down by this accident. I was sure I would never have a social life or a professional life again.
But through hard work and long silent sessions, Claudia Laurie managed to significantly reduce her tinnitus. Four years ago the Le Monde de Laurie project took shape and she wrote her first song. Then more pieces were added. Upon meeting Fred St-Gelais, the idea of making a full album became serious.
“It was a great collaboration. He really liked the originality of my stuff,” says Claudia Laurie about the musician who mixed and mastered the album.
The Productions Martin Leclerc team then came into play and was asked to create a Laurie show directed by Joël Legendre. “Joël, I’ve known him for a long time,” Claudia Laurie said. We’ve been syncing together for 26 years! »
In autumn 2024, Le monde de Laurie will tour Quebec. In a few weeks Claudia Laurie will also have to present an excerpt from the show to the broadcasters. School performances are also on the program.
“There will be dancers accompanying Laurie on stage,” says the actress. It will be a half-spoken, half-sung show. Laurie will be very confidant on many topics. There will be a lot of love, movement and interaction with the audience. »
How does the actress feel about introducing a new character that doesn’t exist for children? “I’m so happy! I think it’s a nice logical progression. For Caillou I’m an actress reading a text. But with Laurie I feel like I’m in full possession of my potential because that’s really my message . […] I feel privileged to have the chance to share educational messages with young people. »
How does Claudia Laurie approach the role of a teenager at the age of 40? “I have a pretty unique body type. I’m 4’11 and weigh 95 pounds! I have about the same figure and face as I did when I was 20. I’ve always had a little woman-child side that has always served me well. In the dubbing sector, I am one of the few women who still dubs real children. I managed to find that innocence and that energy. »
BACK TO THE BEGINNINGS OF CAILLOU
When you watch a film dubbed in French, you hear Claudia Laurie’s voice instead of Emma Roberts, Dakota Fanning and Kate Mara. But 26 years ago, the actress had little experience with dubbing. Everything changed when he was offered to portray a little boy named Caillou.
How did you get the job to speak Caillou?
“I have worked a lot on television and in advertising since I was four years old. I hosted Les Débrouillards with Gregory Charles and even had my music video on MusiquePlus when I was in sixth grade! I dreamed of dubbing – I wanted to dub The Lion King – and I ran a workshop on this that was offered to members of the UDA. I was the only child who took part. The stage manager immediately suggested that I audition for Caillou. I sent a first cassette. Then I was asked to do a second audition, but I had traveled to Toronto for a shoot. So I did my audition over the phone with Alain Zouvi! »
“It was one of my first contracts. A career as a voice actress followed with cartoons, series… I also voice Barbie on the tablets, Hello Kitty. When I started Caillou at 14, who would have thought it would continue at 40? I just signed up for another three years on the show. I pre-record the vocals and on stage someone performs them in some kind of big mascot. »
Do you still enjoy singing the voice of Caillou after 26 years?
“Yes! I often have to send voicemail messages. I don’t think it will ever let go. […] I wrote voices for the shows, but also many derivative products over time such as talking dolls and CD-ROMs. »
When you started this project, you probably never thought it would last longer than 25 years?
” Of course not! All dubbing series I have been involved in for several years, usually there are two or three seasons. […] I watched Caillou’s show a few weeks ago. I saw the parents enter with their children. These parents had listened to Caillou themselves. »
Why does Caillou last so long?
“I think it’s simplicity. Because it’s everyday life. I usually put more emphasis on fantasy stuff with animals. There he is a real little guy, a real little person in his daily life. I think it’s timeless. »
Do you have children of your own?
“No, I don’t have one myself, but I know the children through Caillou. I know them mainly through the impact of my experiences with youth projects, because I have done many of them. »