Jean-Philippe Dion is a towering figure in Quebec’s cultural landscape. On top of producing Star Académie and Sortez-moi d’ici—likely to be among the biggest hits in the coming months—his company also creates Le Tricheur, Chanteurs masqués, and Sucré salé. On top of all that, he recently adopted a child with his partner. A deep dive into the mind of a passionate creator.
What mindset do you expect to be in when Star Académie begins?
Jean-Philippe Dion:
I hope to be zen. I worked really hard this fall so I could switch into host mode this winter, and not stay stuck in executive producer mode, steering this giant ship. Star Académie is actually three productions: En route vers Star Ac for a week, 48 daily episodes, and 12 variety shows. Each one has a distinct team that needs to be guided simultaneously. As of January 6, I’ll be focusing on hosting to preserve my energy. That said, I’m definitely going to be excited. It’s by far the biggest project I’ve ever hosted, and I think I’m at the right place in my life to take it on.
In 2022, contestants like Jules, Laurie, and Mathieu felt free to express their queerness and said the team supported them. Do you consciously create a safe space?
Jean-Philippe Dion:
I’m gay myself, so I’d be the last person to try and push anyone back into the closet. These young people are in an awakening phase. They’re getting feedback about their performances and their looks. People idolize them. I’d rather prepare them to be themselves than to live a lie, performing characters their entire careers. Personally, from the moment I entered the industry, if someone asked me in an interview what I did during my vacation, I’d say I went on a trip with my boyfriend.
What criteria do you consider when selecting the contestants?
Jean-Philippe Dion:
Talent is always the top priority. We’ll never pick someone who’s less vocally strong just because they have a big personality. I don’t want people to feel like they’re on the show just because they check boxes. In our casting discussions, someone will always ask about enough diversity or regional representation, and I say: I wouldn’t want to be chosen because I was born in Granby, because I’m Black, or because I’m gay, but because I’m talented and someone saw something in me. Forcing diversity is a step backward. That said, diversity comes through personality. We want people who can express themselves well, who are interesting, and who bring unique life stories.
The third season of Sortez-moi d’ici airs this spring. Why aren’t you hosting it anymore?
Jean-Philippe Dion:
Because of Star Académie. Filming for Sortez-moi d’ici wrapped in December. I would’ve come back from the real jungle only to step into the “jungle” of producing Star Académie. Doing both was impossible. If I were my own agent, I’d say I was nuts for stepping away from the number-one show of the last two winters, the one that introduced me to a younger audience. But I’ve never made career decisions with long-term strategy in mind. I choose projects that excite me.
Why did you hand the hosting reins to Guy Jodoin and Rosalie Vaillancourt?
Jean-Philippe Dion:
With Alexandre Barrette and me, it was kind of like two scaredy-cats dropped in the jungle. We wanted to change the hosting narrative and avoid repeating the same formula. Rosalie lived the experience last year, so that’s a fun twist. Guy Jodoin is an incredible host, and for two years, he had expressed interest in Sortez-moi d’ici, but it never worked out due to scheduling conflicts. Since my company also produces Le Tricheur and we knew it would shoot later, we offered him the gig.
Is it easier to recruit celebrities now that they know what to expect?
Jean-Philippe Dion:
Definitely. This year’s cast is impressive—we have a lot of big names. Most of them reached out themselves, wanting to be part of the experience. Recently, I received a video from Claudine Desrochers, who was on season two. In her 2024 recap, she said Sortez-moi d’ici was the biggest turning point of her life and nothing has ever brought her so much. She missed being on TV. This year, she acted in series, collaborated on Sucré salé, and lived the comeback she had dreamed of for so long.
It’s a bit the same for Nathalie Simard. Artists see how positive the experience can be. Even though audiences watch them go through wild situations, what really comes through is them overcoming their fears—which is inspiring for everyone.
Why do you work so much?
Jean-Philippe Dion:
Because I truly love my work. I get to collaborate with artists from all sorts of disciplines. With Productions Déferlantes, we also produced La face cachée de la lune by Robert Lepage for Télé-Québec, plus we do tons of cultural events and documentaries on social issues. I published two books from La vraie nature, which let me work with writers and graphic designers. I’m lucky to be involved in many mediums. This is my dream career.
How do you balance your work life with being a dad?
Jean-Philippe Dion:
It’s really tough. When you see in your child’s eyes that you’re not present enough, it hurts. The break from La vraie nature wasn’t just to focus on Star Académie and avoid overexposing myself on Sunday nights—it was also so I could spend part of the summer at the chalet with my son and my partner. I took three consecutive weeks off. Having him in our lives has changed the way I view my career’s place in everything. But I am who I am. When I dive into Star Académie, I give 1500%, and my family bears the brunt. That said, I earn a good living and can treat them to a trip to Costa Rica after Star Ac. Maybe he won’t go skiing with his dad for 12 weeks this winter, but he’ll get two weeks of travel with us.
What was the process of adopting your son?
Jean-Philippe Dion:
We first became foster parents because someone we knew told us a child urgently needed a home. We raised our hand. After two years, we were allowed to begin the adoption process. At first, our goal was to help him—offer him a stable place, a roof, and love. But we grew attached. Alex is going to be 15. We talked with him to see if he wanted to live with us and be adopted. That’s the advantage of adopting an older child. All three of us made the decision together. And now, we’re officially dads.
INFO | STAR ACADÉMIE, now airing on TVA and TVA+.
SORTEZ-MOI D’ICI, coming this spring to TVA and TVA+.
Jean-Philippe Dion: [@jphilippedion]
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