At a time when novelty is often valued, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin prefers long-term commitments in all areas of her life. In fact, she thrives on continuity and she has proven this in various areas. During the summer, the actress devoted time to her family life and challenged herself by doing various activities. Nowadays we find her on the small screen as she reconnects with her characters in the highly anticipated series: Secret secret And Black Lake.
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Mélissa, your character Rachel returns to us Secret secret. What does this second season have in store for us?
Rachel is alone. She no longer has her lover because he died, and she is slowly rebuilding herself. She took a big job in his office. She’s almost perfect, this girl. She’s like a robot. As she goes through a bereavement, she is destabilized, but someone will be responsible for destabilizing her even more… In Classé’s mystery, we never know who is on her side and who is not. The second season really highlights this aspect.
Photographer’s husband
You really have to be pushed to develop in this environment…
Yes. And it’s fascinating to think that espionage actually exists in Canada. Anyone who works in this environment is able to lead a different life than us. When they carry out a mission, it’s like entering a tunnel. Although Rachel loves her children very much, she is capable of doing her job. But this year she will be very destabilized and make bad decisions that endanger the lives of the people she loves. She will be distraught.
If you go out of character, are you lucky not to live such a life?
Yes, because people who work in this environment are really under a lot of pressure. It’s a world we don’t know. It’s not “secret” for nothing. So yes, I appreciate not having to carry that burden on my shoulders, but I feel lucky to be able to feel it while playing this character. With Rachel I learn many things. She never allows her feelings to be shown. After the shoot I was completely exhausted! When I’m in this character’s shoes, I don’t blink, I never show my teeth, and I don’t move fluidly. I had fun creating this character. She’s my opposite because I can be read in three seconds… I have emotional intelligence, but I don’t have that kind of intelligence.
You too will be there again Black Lakethat offers another universe…
Yes, they are two completely different universes. Lac-Noir is a horror series. I’m having a lot of fun doing this project. Valérie, my character, is an intuitive police officer. She’s more like me than Rachel. She is a mother. She wants to protect her son. She fears for her life, but not like Rachel.
You’ve often been asked to play strong women…
Surprisingly, I never dreamed of playing lawyers, doctors and managers and here I am! The pressure is on because I want to honor the women who do these jobs. However, it wasn’t one of my fantasies. There are certain roles that scare me more, but I do them anyway.
Photographer’s husband
Let’s talk about your commitment to Kia…
I have been its spokesman for five years. It’s really nice to shoot for Kia. It often gives me the opportunity to travel. I didn’t think I would ever do this. For me it is the gift of a lifetime! It allows me to say no to certain things and be more relaxed at home. The ads are super nice! I am proud to be associated with Kia.
Are you also continuing your commitment to the Marie Vincent Foundation?
Yes, for eight years, and I’ve seen things evolve. Initially there were 30 participants – sexologists, doctors, psychologists, etc. Now there are 85 children treated. The goal is to shorten the waiting list because once a child receives treatment, they can see the beauty of life again. So it’s really important. We now know about our wonderful foundation that treats children who have been victims of sexual abuse.
Working hard also means taking time to relax. What did you do with your summer?
Is it wisdom that makes me enjoy my vacation now? I didn’t use it much because before, when I stopped for two weeks, I couldn’t wait to start working again. This time I needed a break. It’s a lot of work under wraps. When I shoot a project, it stays with me 24 hours a day. So I went to Costa Rica. I want to see, live and eat something different. This allowed me to come back with more energy.
Photographer’s husband
Did you go on a family trip?
Yes, only for a week, but we accomplished so much! We were away from our phones. The older I get, the more I realize that I enjoy taking on challenges by challenging myself physically: climbing mountains, surfing… It makes me live in the present moment. It relaxes me and makes me feel good.
Now that your eldest is an adult, do you think we should make the most of these family moments?
Yes, she’s grown up… I have the impression that she will be traveling with us for a long time – but maybe it’s me, her mother, who is hoping for that… (smile) We’re lucky. We also traveled with friends who have children. This family aspect between friends touches me very much. It creates connections and memories.
Since you published photos taken before Léa’s prom, we realized that she had graduated from high school…
Yes. She is 17 years old. Life moves quickly… She is at home now: it saves her from traveling and allows her to socialize. I think it’s nice to see them go. I’m proud of her. If I felt like she wasn’t doing well, it would be something else. But I see that she is fine; It’s really nice for a mother. I consider it my job as a mother to give my children wings. Since things are going well, I tell myself that we have certainly done good.
Does it make you proud to see your daughters reach different stages of life?
Yes. Since I still have a small child at home, I can be more relaxed. When my two daughters leave home it might be different… (smile) But yes, I like to see how they develop. When my daughters were six months, two years old, etc., I loved what we experienced. I never missed another period. I can be nostalgic, but not about my children’s development.
Photographer’s husband
Your daughters have always shown interest in your profession. Where do they stand on this front?
At the moment Léa is turning her attention to something else. Florence, for her part, really wants to play. She has a role in Between Two Sheets. It’s easy for them. This also applies to Léa, but she is much more interested in animation and journalism; it is still a related field. They are definitely communication girls.
Do you feel like you benefited from your time with them?
Yes. I am a mother who is truly present when she is at home. I spent the last two summers with my daughters. I spend a lot of time with them. I see them evolving. Nobody raises them for me. My little one is 10 years old. There is a world between 17 and 10 years old! They are not in the same place. They really like each other, there is no rivalry between them. Florence admires her big sister. We’re lucky: we have a beautiful bubble.
Do you do a lot of family activities?
Yes, and ultimately I’m very intense… (Smile) I find that activities allow us to fill our days and explore many things. It creates memories. We move, we enjoy life outside. Sometimes we climb a mountain or do yoga as a family.
Photographer’s husband
It’s nice to teach your children to take a break and refocus…
That’s true, but for her it’s super natural. You are very interested in yoga. Since I’m hyperactive, I thought it wasn’t for me. But when we fall in love with yoga, we understand what it brings us. Girls also enjoy this activity.
Through your projects, your commitments, your family life, you are clearly a girl who is successful in the long term…
This is true. I started this profession as a child. I’m 42 years old today… It’s crazy when you think about it! And I still love what I do. I could have moved on to something else, but it’s still the game that fascinates me and gives me butterflies.
At the same time, continuing your life poses some challenges in the long run, right?
It seems like that’s all I know. I find that the long term brings with it a truth and a vulnerability that we only allow ourselves when we have built a relationship of trust. It anchors us in something. So yes, I’m really a long-term girl, and that goes for friendships too. To persevere, you have to overcome certain things. Regardless of whether it is a friendly, romantic or other relationship: if we love someone, we move on. For me it’s the same with directors: it’s about the long term. When I did On Your Mark…Party! I was 25 years old with Frédérik D’Amours. I’m 42. And we still work together because we love each other. We have met. It’s the most beautiful thing ever! I understand that we can like new things because change feels good, but it’s harder to stay with the same person.
If you can overcome certain things, is it because you don’t expect perfection from others?
Of course, because I’m not perfect myself! In fact, I really like people and I love them in their truth. Getting to know someone doesn’t happen in five minutes. I love quick access to people, but it’s not true that a connection is made with the snap of a finger. You have to build the relationship.
Photographer’s husband
So finally you know how to be patient…
Yes. I am patient and curious. It’s in my nature. I love everything about my little family. This gives me my stability and allows me to fly from one project to the next without becoming destabilized.
Do you also find this stability in your lover?
Naturally! He is the best father for our children. He is my partner. We grew up together. So I feel lucky.
Season 2 of Secret secret, Wednesday 9 p.m., on ADDIK, from October 18th. Season 2 of Black Lake will be available on Club illico from October 26th. From November 28th to December 17th, the Marie Vincent Foundation is offering a silent auction where you can purchase objects from various personalities. For more information, visit marie-vincent.org.
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