Yes, Sébastien Kfoury wanted to be an artist. But no, you won't hear him ripping his heart out singing “The Businessman's Blues” at karaoke at 2 a.m. The entrepreneur and veterinarian can “succeed.” [ses] Since putting his love of theater on hold to pursue a career in medicine, he has fulfilled his artistic desires in a variety of ways.
Published at 12:49 am. Updated at 5:45 a.m.
Whether as a columnist for “Salut bonjour”, “Deux Filles le matin” or “Cap sur l'été” or as a presenter for “Les Poilus”, “Bêtes Curiques” or “Animo” – Sébastien Kfoury has always been with one since he graduated from university Bein in the world of television represented by Montreal in 2000. This winter he strengthens his presence on the small screen by piloting “What happens if…?”. on HERE Explora.
In doing so, he continues to fulfill a dream that he thought he had given up when he decided to study biology in the mid-1990s. A decision he made – in part – to please his father, who preferred him to pursue a “stable.” Profession. “.
“I am the son of an Egyptian immigrant,” says the jack-of-all-trades in an interview. When I was at CEGEP, I thought about the National Theater School. I talked to my father about it… He made it clear to me that it is important to have a secure job. But I loved biology, science, medicine… In the end I might have chosen the same path because it was a good job, a good salary, a logical choice…”
Nevertheless, as a teenager, Sébastien Kfoury loved the stage “very, very much”. In addition to the theater, he took singing lessons. “It’s my little narcissistic side, my little side that likes to please people,” he says with a smile.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Sebastien Kfoury
A first
Sébastien Kfoury takes an important step with “What happens if…?” Produced by Sphère Média (Les petits tannants, A zoo like no other), the show marks its first television foray into non-animal territory.
In this documentary series by Vanessa Cournoyer (“An Almost Perfect Supper”, “Invisible Children”), Sébastien Kfoury plays guinea pig by exploring the limits of the human body in different contexts: intense heat, stress, pollution, incessant noise, etc. In the first In the episode that aired in early January and revolved around the theme of athletic endurance, we saw him suffer while passing the Léger-Boucher shuttle test, that famous progressive running test that consists of a variety of back and forths. More recently, he has even been observed to be suffering from sleep deprivation.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY RADIO-CANADA
Sébastien Kfoury does a cycling exercise to the point of exhaustion in the show “What happens if…?”
The adventure What happens if…? Sébastien Kfoury is visibly thrilled. Even before the interview began, the star vet talked to us about productivity, citing neuropsychologist Sonia Lupien, whom he met for the show.
I like it because we demystify a lot of things. I do the same thing in my everyday life as a veterinarian. People see a lot of things on the Internet, on Google… They come in with a lot of preconceptions, and my job is to clear all that up.
Sebastien Kfoury
“I’m excited to host a science show other than an animal show,” he continues. Of course I love veterinary medicine, but it's not my only favorite subject. »
Yes and no
Sébastien Kfoury says he learned a lot while filming “What Happens When…?” Among other things, he points to his attention deficit disorder, a disorder that has apparently never prevented him from carrying out his many professional activities, including his television projects, the management of 34 hospitals and veterinary centers in Quebec and – of course – his hours of care in the clinic.
“I'm surrounded by patient people who are great at reminding people like, 'Hey, did you send that email?' Have you met this person or that person?” You know how to work with someone who is a bit scattered but is not afraid to invest time. I work 80 hours a week. »
Due to his busy schedule, Sébastien Kfoury no longer accepts every offer he receives, as was usual at the beginning of his career. Until recently, he was thinking about launching his own line of pet products. The idea was eventually abandoned.
PHOTO ALAIN ROBERGE, LA PRESS ARCHIVE
Sébastien Kfoury at the launch of the Animo show in 2011
“I built my entire career by saying yes, yes, yes, yes,” the father summarizes.
Would you like to do this column? Yes. Would you like to work on this production? Yes. Do you want to open this or that clinic? Yes. I have always accepted everything. That's what got me here, but today I'm learning to say no.
Sebastien Kfoury
Would Sébastien Kfoury agree to direct a non-scientific show? Absolutely, he replies without hesitation. After six seasons of the animal talk show Les poilus (the seventh season will be recorded soon), he feels ready to take on any challenge.
“Yes, because to animate, to publicize, to attract attention, to give the floor to the guests, to return the puck… It's the same mechanism in every area. »
“People think that being a scientist means being a bit shallow, a bit anti-social and drab. I think I've shown that it's much more than that. »
What happens if…? is presented on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. on ICI Explora.