Comedian Val Belzil’s appearances on stage are becoming more and more numerous. The one who made herself known on the show The next stand-up in 2020 has come a long way since then. As a trained tax specialist, she is presenting her first show during training.

Meeting the comedian.

We often discover you these days as the opening act for Lise Dion, Alex Roy and Daniel Lemire. I have the impression that you are having a lot of great experiences at the moment…

Val Belzil : Oh yes, I’m really lucky to be able to experience all of this. Imagine… When I decided to start my first impromptu show, I never imagined that I would have these experiences one day.

There is something very surprising about your career. You chose comedy at the age of 43 Years. It is still not trivial to say that at 48 we belong to the next generation Years.

Val Belzil : Yes, I’m old enough to be one has been then I can be a discovery, it’s great. I was a single parent. I waited for the children to grow up, and then when they went to CEGEP, I had time for myself and wanted to do something for myself. I’ve always wanted to do humor, I’m a fan of humor and stand up, So I decided to try with young people here in Quebec who started doing little comedy nights. I took evening courses and started writing texts. I also didn’t know you could get into comedy without being in Montreal. I felt like I had to drop everything and start from scratch. When I realized that there was humor in Quebec, in regions other than Montreal, I said to myself: Oh, then it could be. It was like my dream.

You took part in the show The next stand-up. Was that the starting signal for you?

Val Belzil : Yes. I came from nowhere and when I was asked to do the show, I saw the names of the people who would be in the competition. I said to myself: They definitely think I’m nice. I’ll do a show and then, well, I’ll have experienced it, I’ll have done one shoot in my life. I finally made it to the finals. After that it was gone, I had to write more to be able to continue working. Since then I have experienced beautiful things.

What inspires you when creating your texts?

Val Belzil : Many things inspire me. Nowadays, the differences between generations inspire me a lot because I am always around young people my son’s age. At the same time, I’m spending more of my time with comedians who are older than me, with an audience that will also be a little older. I see all of this and think that we are more similar between generations than we think. Everyday life is also very funny. Too many funny things happen to me, I have no choice but to write them down.

They also work in an accounting office and do humor while doing it. Can you balance these two aspects of your life well?

Val Belzil : Yes, I still have my job. At 48 years old, group insurance, that’s what we’re committed to! [rires] Stability is perhaps more important at my age than it was at 22. I’m keeping mine Work then I love mine Work. It’s inspiring to have a job that’s something other than humor and to think about something different. This allows me to experience things and I can talk about them.

If one day you feel like your career as a humorist is taking up more and more space, would you quit your job?

Val Belzil : Probably one day I won’t have a choice anymore. At the moment I can still do both. I’m also lucky to have a lot of energy and good health, so sometimes I can sleep a little less and have my two Jobs.

The stage experience is rather new for you. How do you experience that?

Val Belzil : It depends on. There are situations that are more stressful than others, but generally speaking, people don’t come to us to hate us. [rires] That’s why I see them as friends. It helps me to be relaxed and have a good time.

What’s coming up for you?

Val Belzil : I’m doing my own show. I am very happy to present it in Quebec for the second time. I’m currently breaking in, so it’s still under construction. I add things, I take things away, it’s a beautiful process. We have the opportunity to work on our shows until we are completely satisfied with them. I also have appointments in other cities.

How do you see your future in the coming months and years?

Val Belzil : I want it to last a long time. Do this for as long as possible. I see myself at 80, if life allows me to be healthy, still performing on comedy nights, doing my little gig, my little show and not going back to bed too late. [rires] I’m at home on a stage, it’s like I’m wearing slippers and pajamas. I’m fine and it seems like I don’t want it to end.