Evelyne Audet

Host, 91.9 sports, RDS, Évasion

“I know it could hurt my chance at getting contracts I haven’t landed yet and may now never get. I won’t present the image they’re looking for; I’ll be branded, though no one will say it to my face. But I’m willing to live with that risk.”

A well-known figure in Quebec, Evelyne Audet has been building her career in media over the last fifteen years, appearing at the helm of several shows on Évasion including Direction la mer, Croisières de rêve et À deux, c’est mieux! Her energy, candour, and sparkling smile make her a much beloved host wherever she goes. She is currently hosting La nouvelle garde, a daily radio show airing on 91.9 Sports. Viewers can also see her catching fish on RDS’ Le Shore Lunch.

A happy mom, fierce competitor, and born adventurer, Evelyne Audet eagerly (and a little dizzily) agreed to join Les Audacieuses initiative. “I’m more often led by my heart than my head in life. I let my emotions and intuition guide me. I have made risky choices but my intuition never deceived me.”

Colleagues Standing at her Back

While the idea to join the Audacieuses was suggested by Evelyne's boss at the radio station, the inspiration came from one of her colleagues, radio commentator Me Sophie Mongeon, a former Audacieuse herself.

Surprised to be asked, Evelyne’s first reaction was to refuse. “Getting one’s head shaved is no small thing!” Still, she asked if she could think it over for a day. “Since I work in media, on TV, I needed a little time to come to terms with the idea. But hair grows back. When I learned a little more about the initiative, I really wanted to be a part of it. I can see the huge impact it will have and all the money we can raise. At that point, it became impossible to say no.”

As the only female host at her station, she knows that her colleagues have her back. Already, there is talk of hosting a radiothon and several events to collect donations. “I can feel the station standing behind me. My boss is truly driven by the cause and coming up with big ideas. I think we’ll exceed our target amount.”

Right Through the Heart

Blessed with a healthy son, Evelyne Audet is deeply moved by the hardships experienced by Leucan families. “Since becoming a mom, causes benefiting children go straight to my heart.”

However, she knows how important your look and image are when your job is in front of a camera. “I know it could hurt my chance at getting contracts I haven’t landed yet and may now never get. I won’t present the image they’re looking for; I’ll be branded, though no one will say it to my face. But I’m willing to live with that risk.”

She takes comfort in knowing that beauty and femininity stereotypes are not as pervasive today. “I don’t think I would’ve agreed to this challenge just a few years ago. Back then, it was very brave for a woman to shave her head. I think that model Ève Salvail paved the way and made the look more mainstream. We see more and more beautiful women with a shaved head or very short hair nowadays. Like Marie-Mai. Like Vanessa Pilon. Other women have done it before, so it’s less scary!”

Face Swap and Earrings!

From a personal point of view, she dreads the moment she will first catch her reflection in the mirror. “When my brother and I trade pictures on Face Swap, we look so much alike! I’m a little worried about having male traits. But that won’t stop me. Actually, once my mind was made up, I never even once thought about backing out.” She can count on support from her husband and loved ones. “To add a touch of femininity, I will be wearing earrings. Who knows? Maybe I’ll enjoy my new look so much that I’ll keep my head shaved!”

A Team Effort

Evelyne Audet is ready for the challenge, but don’t talk to her about the actual shave until the big day. “I don’t want to think about it too much. I will follow instructions on the actual day but I don’t want a big to-do around it all.” She is excited about taking this challenge, surrounded by inspiring women. “Knowing I won’t be alone is a big motivator. I’d be worried otherwise. It’s nice to see that we have reached that point in our society, that several women agreed without hesitation. It’s reassuring.”

As a true team player, she hopes the Audacieuses will be able to get together on the big day. “I want to hear razors singing around me, to be part of a group. I hope we’ll have the opportunity to be physically together, united.”

They supporting Evelyne