To move beyond his embarrassment and fully acknowledge himself as a gay man, Marc-André Tremblay from Sagard in Charlevoix adopted the name Andrew, an extravagant and free stage character who wears feminine clothing.
On Sunday, Andrew was recruited at La Voix by… Charles Lafortune, to whom Roxane Bruneau had offered the opportunity to live the experience of a coach for the duration of a number. So for the first time in ten seasons, Charles was able to press the button and tell a contestant, “I want you”!
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For Andrew, who had attempted to enter the TVA singing competition eight times – he also took part in the pre-auditions for Star Académie – officially stepping onto the La Voix stage was a major achievement. He was 15 years old when he first submitted his application. It was during the second season. “No matter what rejections we get, I have learned that we should never give up on our dreams,” he told QMI Agency.
Charles Lafortune represented Roxane Bruneau's interests so convincingly that Andrew chose his team after the performance of Left Hand by Danielle Messia. It should be noted that Charles blocked Corneille while he was talking to Andrew. It all made for a lovely time watching TV. Roxane, always so funny, didn't want Charles to “shame” her! She emphasized that she had given him “the greatest gift”.
Roxane Bruneau offered host Charles Lafortune the experience of being a coach during Andrew's blind audition in the fifth round of season 10. A great gift for those who have been part of the singing competition since the beginning. PHOTO BY BERTRAND EXERTIER, PROVIDED BY TVA
A new, more balanced life
In May 2022, Andrew's life completely changed when he stopped drinking excessively and saw a social worker.
“I started going out with my boyfriend, who gave me a lot of confidence, and I stopped drinking. Next May it will be two years. I did it for my mental and physical health. My journey started like this because let's face it, I was a good alcoholic. I drank a bottle of Fort every evening. When I decided to put an end to this drinking hell, everything in my life started going well. I was more creative and allowed myself more to do what I wanted. I was more vulnerable before.”
Feeling indestructible
Even though he has been working as an orderly for five years – he started a few months before the start of the pandemic – and is very committed to his work, he aspires to a career on stage and in travel. While he waits for the breakthrough, he often pushes through the bill at the residence where he works, albeit as Marc-André.
PHOTO BY BERTRAND EXERTIER, PROVIDED BY TVA
On a bigger stage, however, Andrew has to shine. “Andrew allows me to express everything that I could never express as Marc-André,” said the 24-year-old artist, whose love led him to move to the La Baie district in Saguenay.
“When I get dressed and stand on stage I feel like a superhero, I feel strong, like no matter what anyone says to me no one can touch me. I can do anything on stage, I take responsibility, but when I get home I fall back into my relaxed little life and I like that.”