She once lamented the lack of roles for Black actors on Quebec screens. Now she's busier than ever
Actor Veronique Pierre says up until a few years ago, there weren't a lot of roles for Black actors on Quebec screens, but something has changed, and she's busier than she's ever been in her long career.
"Before, I would audition one, two, three times a year. I now audition one, two, three times a week," she says, crediting the change to more directors, producers and writers intentionally casting and writing roles that include diversity.
Pierre says she had dreamed of becoming an actor since the age of 16, although it took some convincing for her Haitian father to accept this was a viable career path. She enrolled in Dawson College's drama program to develop her skills and learn English since she says many of the opportunities for black actors were in English-speaking productions.
With a lack of opportunities at home, she went to Toronto and L.A., where she got work and learned the industry.
"So over a period of 13 years, I tried here and there trying to find my place and I never really truly found it," she said. Soon after, she decided to let her dream go.
When she moved back to Quebec, she became a yoga instructor and was happy with her decision. But then the pandemic hit and she was unable to give classes. A friend told her she should try acting again, but she was reluctant
"Seriously, I was expecting like what, one, two, three roles maybe in the year?" she said. "And my first year back here in Quebec as an actress, I was working more than my first 13 years of career."
Pascal L'Heureux was one of the directors that hired her. "I met her in a colour-blind casting because the role could have been anybody, and the best person with the best timing for that role was her, period.
L'Heureux says there was a real shift in the industry in 2016 to focus more on diversity. That only intensified following the repeated images of George Floyd and Joyce Echaquan's deaths, which he said were a wake-up call.
He says there's still a lot of ground to make up regarding "having more diversity, and good diversity on screen."
Meanwhile, Pierre is enjoying her success and is diversifying her skills to include writing and producing. She's encouraged by the changes in the industry.
"It's not just the colour of the skin, it's age," she says. She says that 20 years ago, she would have been considered well past her prime. But now, the industry is open to different ages and body types.
It's given her the confidence to keep going in what can be an industry full of rejection. And she knows if acting doesn't work out, she can always go back to yoga, though it doesn't appear she will be in that position anytime soon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW This Canadian scientist combines passion for history, archeology and genetics to solve ancient and modern-day DNA puzzles
Turi King takes pride in her work solving ancient and modern-day DNA puzzles – including a centuries-old mystery involving an infamous British king.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Oilers advance to Stanley Cup final by beating Stars in Game 6
The Edmonton Oilers rode their special teams and goaltender to victory on Sunday, beating the Dallas Stars 2-1 to win the National Hockey League's Western Conference and earn a berth in the Stanley Cup final against the Florida Panthers.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22-million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Mackenzie Hughes 'gutted' after falling short at RBC Canadian Open
Mackenzie Hughes had the dream scenario of winning the RBC Canadian Open in his hometown within reach but then it all slipped away.
Motorcycle doing wheelies, weaving in, out of traffic caught on Highway 417
A motorcycle driver is facing charges after being caught on Highway 417 doing wheelies and weaving in and out of traffic, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says.
'Rotten rock': Climate change altering the face of Canadian mountaineering
The Abbot Pass hut stood for decades in a rugged saddle between two iconic peaks, overlooking the limpid turquoise of Banff National Park's Lake Louise — a destination for alpinists from around the world until the ground melted beneath it and forced its closure.
North Korea says it will stop sending trash balloons as South Korea vows strong retaliation
South Korea said Sunday it’ll soon take retaliatory steps against North Korea over its launch of trash-carrying balloons across the border and other provocations.
'The legacy I want to leave:' Mother with Stage 4 cancer advocates for survivors
People around the world are observing National Cancer Survivor Day, an annual celebration held to honour patients who have been through the often difficult and traumatic experience of living with cancer.