“Finally, it’s his turn,” we heard many whispers behind the scenes in the television industry, when the name of Sébastien Benoit was announced as successor to Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge at the helm of Masked singersat the end of April.
A gentleman, appreciated by everyone in his industry, staying away from controversy, Sébastien Benoit has never lacked work since the public discovered him, first as a reporter for the cultural magazine Flash at (late) TQS in the 1990s, then at the helm of numerous games or various interview concepts (Tam-Tam Wizz, Greens and Unripes, Food Coups, The Goose That Lays the Golden Eggs…).
TVA had picked him up from the competition so that he could hostDouble occupation in 2012 – for the last edition of the reality show broadcast on this channel – and he was even then drafted (no pun intended!) by TVA Sports in 2014, where he officiated for one year. Then came The goose that lays golden eggs after the reign of Guy Mongrain, in 2018. And that’s without counting his two decades of radio, at CKOI or Rythme.
Gold, “her fat show on Sunday evening”, “his” variety show covered in glitter and tinsel, one of the ultimate prestige symbols on Quebec television, the 51-year-old man had never had it before. We know that he has already stood behind the curtain of the Gémeaux Prize Gala, which was piloted by a pregnant Véronique Cloutier up to her eyes in 2009, hoping to take over if she had to leave in a hurry to give birth, which would not It hadn’t happened. Instinctively, any good observer of the field knew that Sébastien Benoit would one day be the perfect candidate to lead such an event forum.
In interview with HollywoodPQ last Thursday, on the red carpet of the premiere of Kurios, a Cirque du Soleil show recently reinstalled under the big top of the Old Port of Montreal for the summer, Sébastien was philosophical. After all, he recalls, he still has four and a half years of animation of Fury behind the tie (where he replaced the same Véronique Cloutier in 2003).
He was also often at the wheel of the gala Celebration in the last few years.
“I see it more as a return to variety with an audience, like in the time of Fury, explained the artist. It had been, for me, four extraordinary years, and [j’ai l’impression] to find this feeling large plateau. It was candy! To find him for 13 shows, it’s going to be sickening!”
A “return” more than an “outcome”, this is how Sébastien Benoit perceives the challenge Masked singers, “the number 1 show in Canada”, likes to reiterate TVA at the slightest opportunity. An average of 1,901,400 viewers tuned in during the last season, in the fall of 2023, and the finale, at the end of November, attracted 1,963,700 faithful. Of course, this project nevertheless remains “a big surprise in life”, rejoices its new helmsman.
“To do it at 51, after 30 years of career this year, it makes me say that, tabarouette, I’m still here! That’s what’s great…”
A little disappointment…
The filming of Masked singers will begin in three weeks and will all be completed by the end of July, said Sébastien Benoit, for broadcast in September. The “new kid” Mélissa Bédard will join the panel of investigating judges already made up of Stéphane Rousseau, Anouk Meunier and Sam Breton (who finally confirmed her return after a professional break).
We are of course looking forward to replaying the guessing game of knowing which personalities will be hidden under the spectacular costumes of this fourth round of the show. Masked singers. Will Sébastien Benoit dare to wiggle in a few dance steps alongside his guest mascots?
“You’ll find out in September!” he joked, looking teasing.
“I dance sometimes… but away from the public eye! I’ll have to practice…”
“Like Quebec as a whole,” he maintains, Sébastien Benoit was already looking Masked singers since 2021 with his partner Karine and their 11-year-old son, Laurent. Besides, dad’s new mandate disappoints the pre-teen a bit, for a particular reason…
“Since I’m animating, I won’t be in a costume! He would have liked me to be in a suit. I tell you, gangthis year, I will not be in a costume…”, laughed Sébastien Benoit.
