After a memorable appearance on the first season of Les Traîtres, Maxence Garneau reveals another side of his personality in Si on s’aimait. Known for his flamboyance and humor on social media, he displays vulnerability on the popular dating and therapy show.
Why did you want to participate in Si on s’aimait?
Maxence Garneau: I’m a big fan of the show. I’ve watched all the seasons and I really like Louise Sigouin. When I was approached, I saw it as a chance to get her advice directly. That said, it wasn’t a decision I made lightly. It involves a lot of intimacy and vulnerability. On my social media, I don’t really show that side—I prefer to share my fun, flamboyant side. I asked myself if I was ready to present those other sides of me. I also had to consider that my family would see that part of me. After all, therapy brings up the past.
How do you explain your comfort with doing therapy publicly?
Maxence Garneau: When I was younger, I lacked role models. While making my decision, I thought about how, as a kid, I would’ve liked to see someone like me being honest about their experience. I wanted to offer visibility to queer communities and my own reality, to help young people and adults alike see different kinds of role models on TV. I also realized it might be good for people to know that I’m also deep, fragile, and vulnerable.
The candidates for the speed dating part were chosen by production. Was that stressful?
Maxence Garneau: A lot! I was going to spend seven weeks with one person—imagine if we didn’t click. I really wanted to work on romantic relationships and dating, so I needed to feel some interest in the other person. When I saw the first candidate arrive, I knew I was interested. We had already kissed once, and I could picture doing the whole journey with him. I felt like the chemistry was there. It really took a weight off my shoulders!
What did you think of doing therapy with Louise?
Maxence Garneau: I knew my main issue was the feeling of rejection in relationships with men. Then came the couples therapy component—I had kind of forgotten about that part. I worked a lot on expressing things to the other person, setting boundaries, and confronting issues when needed. That’s something I really struggle with in real life.
Also, I’m a loner. Before filming, I had been single for ten years. I was afraid of being overwhelmed. Being in a couple felt like a loss for me, because my life was already so full. The idea of dealing with someone else’s life too was stressful. Plus, I had to let people into my personal space: a six-person filming crew and my date showing up in my apartment. It pushed me to grow a lot.
What kind of time commitment did the show require?
Maxence Garneau: In total, we filmed for about eight weeks. A typical week involved therapy on Tuesdays, and then dating on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. On off days, we were often prepping for the next day. On a date day, we had several activities—it sometimes felt like we were on multiple dates in one day. It was very different from my usual routine: I normally see someone once a week, or even every two weeks, when dating.
Were you prepared for homophobic or offensive comments, like during Les Traîtres or when posting on social media?
Maxence Garneau: Yes. TVA is a network that generates a lot of comments. I knew when I accepted the offer that there would be reactions. Especially because in Si on s’aimait, we kiss on camera and openly show a same-sex relationship. In Les Traîtres, people commented on my identity, but the show wasn’t about same-sex relationships. I did mention at the end that I was queer, but it wasn’t part of the narrative. So I knew Nikolas and I were opening ourselves up to that. After seeing all the comments Marc-Antoine Delage got this winter on Star Académie, I was like: “Oh boy, here it comes for us too!”
On April 4, you performed a humorous monologue for Cabaret Accents Queers in response to the haters. The crowd loved it! Can you see yourself doing stand-up?
Maxence Garneau: That show made me want to try stand-up. It’s always been a quiet dream of mine. At university, I studied TV hosting, and when we made our own shows, I loved writing the opening monologues. That’s what I was best at. Since then, the desire has always been there. But doing the Cabaret was the closest I’ve come to actually pursuing it. I realized that it worked!
You embrace your flamboyance now, but it wasn’t always like that. How did that evolve?
Maxence Garneau: We all grow up in a gendered society. The gender boxes are quite limiting. When I was young, my interests didn’t match what people expected from a little boy. At daycare, I was quickly singled out because I didn’t like the same things as the other boys. I was also a very insecure, emotional, and fragile child—none of that helped me find my place or feel free to express my desires.
What did your family think?
Maxence Garneau: I was lucky to grow up in a loving family with lots of freedom. But my dad is a rugged outdoorsman—hunting, fishing, that sort of thing. My paternal family’s expectations matched that. At eight years old, I was already driving a snowmobile and crashing into trees. It clearly wasn’t my destiny! As I got older, I increasingly felt like I wasn’t living up to those expectations. It took me a long time to realize I didn’t have to limit myself in terms of how flamboyant I wanted to be, or in my passions and aspirations.
Could you see yourself doing Big Brother Célébrités, or are you done with reality TV?
Maxence Garneau: If I were to do another one, it would have to be a show that takes me somewhere new, and it would have to be the right time in my life. I make decisions based on instinct. I told myself that after Si on s’aimait, that would be it for me with reality shows—but then again, never say never. I’m a fan of Big Brother. I’d like to do a strategy game, where you get time to think and build a social game. Les Traîtres was filmed so quickly. There’s something that attracts me about Big Brother, but the idea of being locked up for weeks? That’s pretty anxiety-inducing!
This is a translation of the original interview made in French.
INFOS | Si on s’aimait Célébrités
https://www.tvaplus.ca/tva/si-on-s-aimait-celebrites
https://www.instagram.com/maxencegarneau
https://www.tiktok.com/@maxencegarneau
