Danielle Ouimet Lives Her Life to the Fullest!

Because I was asked to (laughs). I am a very rational person, you know! When I’m offered things that sound fun, I’m very open to that. I have reached an age where I can choose what I like or don’t like.

More seriously, I was flattered when I was told that the FADOQ was looking for a spokesperson and that they had thought of me. The population is growing older and I am under the impression that we do not care about aging people, particularly in my work environment. I’ve been doing a job that I love for the past 52 years, but now, I’m being told that I am almost too old for this, even though I am still physically and mentally healthy and full of energy.

So when they offered me to be the spokesperson for the event, I told myself «Why not meet people like me and see what we can accomplish together?» I am sure that there are ways to enjoy ourselves. As for me, I always have something to do! I believe you get old once you stop keeping yourself busy.

It is slightly more difficult for me to hear now, but I manage (laughs). Honestly, I do not have any serious hearing problem. It would be harder for me to lose my eyesight than hearing, since I’m a writer and a painter. On the other hand, losing my hearing would also be a big problem. You know, this is like electricity: it is not until you lose it that you realize how important it is!

I don’t have much time for this you know (laughs). I think I’m healthy because I don’t really care. Some people focus on their aches and pains, but I don’t!

One day, I had to shoot a TV show and I woke up at 5 a.m. in the morning…and I had completely lost my voice. Since I needed to be on the set that very morning, I headed to the emergency room, and the nurse there checked my blood pressure. When she saw the numbers, she told me I had to stay in the hospital because I was at risk of having a stroke. I didn’t listen to her; I went to the shooting anyway and came back afterwards to get treated.

Since then, I walk and I take the stairs. I try to take care of myself naturally; I eat when I’m hungry…and I don’t when I’m not! I don’t really pay attention because I find life to be too restricted otherwise. No fat, no sugar…and you need to exercise… Hold on a minute! This is no way of living! If you are sick, go see the doctor, attend to the most urgent matters and then get on with your life.

To use their other senses. If you can’t hear music anymore, put color in your eyes and take drawing lessons, for instance. As for me, I like being in a quiet environment. At home, I don’t listen to any music. I believe that inner music is just as much important as everything else. I think that silence, even more when it is imposed on you, must be filled with other things than sound. There are so many things to do!

I’m not interested in fame at all, but rather in the satisfaction of a job well done. I must admit that since I became known through nudity, I had a steep hill to climb to prove that I was more than that. Luckily for me, some people got that, but I had to persevere and keep with my line of thought. I think that this is what people like about me: I’m a woman of integrity that stands up for herself. One cannot make me do just anything.

I would tell her that she has to stand out, but unfortunately, this is the hardest part. Either you have it or you don’t, you know…Some young women want to be on television rather than doing television. These are two different things! My generation believes that success comes with hard work.

I think that it would be all the encounters that I have had. It is not so much the job, because it is very hard. People are drawn to this profession because of its glamorous side, but it is extremely hard. You keep on receiving blows throughout your life, and you need to learn how to pick up the pieces and carry on. When you are in this business, you ultimately need to find out what makes you the happiest and why you keep doing it. For me, it has always been the personal encounters.

Working with Mr. Serge Bélair, who had this concern about speaking perfect French, Jean-Pierre Coallier, who taught me everything I know about radio, or Dominique Michel, who took me under her wing and taught me all there was to know about the trade of the scene. The people that I have met are the true reason that kept me in this profession.

I have only one dream. I know it will sound a little weird but, it would not bother me if it did not come true. The truth is, I have never been nominated and have never won an award, during my 52 years of career. I wish I would have won one for my mother. In her mind, such an award would have been the proof of my success. As if I was graduating.

I would have wanted it for my mother but…she’s not with us anymore! So if I don’t get it, well… I won’t be going into a depression for that (laughs). On the other hand, I wish my mom could have seen it…I would have given her the statuette and she would have shown it to the people where she was living…She was so proud of me!

I dream of playing in a movie that would shed a new light on me. I did shoot a movie called Les signes vitaux three years ago. I personified a 75-year old woman dying of brain cancer. Critics were excellent, but the public wasn’t quite there. I would like to experience that again.