Paul Larocque, a veteran TVA journalist, fooled all four enquirers on Chanteurs masqués by disguising himself as the Faucon during his performance of La dame en bleu.
Paul Larocque, a veteran TVA journalist and broadcaster, made a surprising appearance on the Canadian reality show Chanteurs masqués
, donning a lavish falcon costume to perform La dame en bleu
by Michel Louvain. Despite his well-known voice, he successfully misled all four judges—Anouk Meunier, Sam Breton, Mélissa Bédard, and Stéphane Rousseau—during his brief stint on the show. My goal was to not be recognized, my voice being so well-known in Quebec. And it worked! (…) My goal was to confuse the judges and I succeeded in my mission. I’m very happy they didn’t recognize me.
Larocque later told TVA, emphasizing the challenge of masking his recognizable voice.
The Faucon’s Debut and Judges’ Surprise
Larocque’s performance on the sixth season’s third episode marked his first foray into the show’s signature format, where contestants conceal their identities behind elaborate costumes and vocal disguises. The judges speculated he was either athlete Étienne Boulay, former Montreal mayor Denis Coderre, or politician Denis Lévesque, but none guessed the true identity of the man behind the falcon costume. That was really my objective [to fool them all], because I was there for the fun. Because of my job, I have a voice that is known, that is recognizable. I had to find a ruse to try to play the game to the maximum. I was really happy about that.
Larocque explained, noting that his career in media had made his voice “recognizable,” requiring creative subterfuge.
The costume itself posed a physical challenge, with Larocque describing it as “hot and heavy,” limiting his vision and mobility. Despite this, he admitted the adrenaline of the performance overshadowed the discomfort. On the set, it’s a whole production. Honestly, you have to go there once to understand. You arrive there, the secret is so important! They come to pick you up in the parking in a van, you get in there, you put on clothes to hide your own clothes, a hoodie and sunglasses. There is a minimum of production people who see you and you don’t see the other contestants either.
Once you’re on stage and it’s started, there’s no problem.
he said, adding that the secrecy surrounding the show—requiring contestants to be picked up in a van and dressed in the parking lot—added to the “espionage-like” atmosphere.
Paul Larocque’s Career and the Challenge
Larocque, who has spent nearly five decades in journalism, including roles on TVA’s 17 heures and 18 heures programs, described his participation as a challenge outside my comfort zone.
Though he was eliminated after one performance, he expressed pride in his ability to confuse the judges. The show’s producers confirmed he had prepared a second song, Fais comme l’oiseau
by Michel Fugain, imitating Jacques Parizeau, but it was never performed due to his early exit.
His foray into the show also highlighted his family’s musical ties. While he admitted he was “not a singer,” he noted that his mother, grandmother, and brother were all musically inclined, and his daughter also has a strong singing voice. Music is in my blood, but I’ve always kept it private, he said, adding that the experience allowed him to step out of my routine
and embrace a different side of himself.
Public Reaction and the Show’s Impact
The reveal of Larocque’s identity sparked widespread surprise on social media, with fans and viewers expressing disbelief. Comments ranged from Paul Larocque?! The guy who reads the news for years?! I’m in shock, I would never have thought of him!
to A host in a Falcon costume, that had to be done!
The show’s producers noted that his participation added a “unique twist,” blending the serious world of journalism with the lightheartedness of the competition.
Larocque, who has been with TVA since the 1970s, also touched on his upcoming schedule, including hosting the October 5 election night and his roles on “La Joute” and “Le Bilan” on LCN. Despite his early exit from the show, he described the experience as “a highlight” and hinted at future ventures. I’m not sure I’d have done this a few years ago, but now I’m in a place where I can take risks,
he said.
As the show continues, viewers are left wondering whether Larocque’s brief appearance was a one-time experiment or the start of a new chapter in his career. For now, his career as a singer
remains a fleeting but memorable moment, as he quipped, My singing career began last night, and it ended last night.