Varda Étienne is starting a new dating show this winter. But not just any. Each week in What if it were you? a person with a disability chooses their crush after a series of one-on-one conversations with three singles. This television appointment will be broadcast on Monday evenings on AMI-télé, a channel for the blind, people with reduced mobility or hearing impairments. We spoke to the host about representativeness, reality TV and inclusion.
Posted at 11:00 am
La Presse: How did you react when you were asked to moderate Et si c’ait toi?
Varda Étienne: I was super flattered that someone thought of me, but at the same time a little surprised. I wasn’t sure I understood why I had been chosen. Because I don’t have a disability. I have an “intellectual disability”, which means I suffer from a mental illness, but I do not have a physical disability.
LP: Why is it important that a program like And if it were you? exist?
VE : I’ll just say one word: inclusion. It doesn’t matter who you are, whether you have a disability or not, it is very important that you have the same opportunities as a straight white man. We have arrived!
PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMI-TÉLÉ
Scene from the show And if it were you?
LP: When we talk about romantic reality shows, we think of the usual clichés, like perfect bodies in swimsuits, people looking for visibility… Were you afraid of Et si c’être toi? ?
VE : Of course ! Does a person with a disability automatically want a relationship with a person with a disability? No way ! And that’s why we sent our participants on blind dates with all sorts of people. And then I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t want it to be a hackneyed reality show with pathetic people. When you’re watching the show, there’s never a time you want to say, “Awww… they’re so sorry!” It’s not at all. It’s a hop-on-life series that inspires hope in a relationship that shows everyone can have a chance. You don’t have to have a six pack to find love. And it’s a lot of fun!
LP: Are you a fan of reality TV?
VE : Yes. It’s my guilty pleasure. Right now I’m obsessed with Big Brother celebs. It’s the best season! I watch all episodes live. I don’t answer the phone between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. I bitch, I put my remote up, I have discussion groups, I call my friends… I CA-PO-TE! The choice of participants is perfect. Mona de Grenoble as President! And LeLouis [Courchesne]… He’s an excellent player. I love hating him.
LP: We’ve talked a lot about representativeness for a number of years. In your opinion, has television improved on this issue?
VE : Absolutely. There is still a long way to go, but I see that there is a change. And I know that the longer it takes, the more changes there will be. And for the better. For example, for racialized people… Of course, there aren’t enough of them yet, but are there more than before? Absolutely. I have children aged 30, 20 and 17. My two youngest, who watch a lot of television, tell me that today there is something for everyone. I couldn’t say that when I was 17 or 18.
AMI-télé presents What if it were you? from Monday at 8 p.m