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"I like swimming, tennis, movies, all kinds of music, especially Elton John, ham and cheese sandwiches..." And girls? "They're great!"
It may sound like an average teenager, but that's Rene Simard, and he's never been a kid like the others.
At 16, Canada's 'Superkid' is a millionaire teenager, with sellout personal appearances, hit records, international tours, and a new half-hour series on CBC's The Rene Simard Show which he describes as "the most important thing in my career right now."
Rene is exuberant, energetic, and friendly but professional and confident beyond his years.
The show is his first try at hosting his own TV series and it's a smash hit, as all of Rene's career has been. "It's what I enjoy doing most," he says. "It's a variety show and gives me the opportunity for singing and dancing, plus comedy.
"There are about 120 people working on the show. "I love it, there's such a good spirit, it's like a big family."
What's it like having millions of fans look up to you? "It's fun. I'm happy the show appeals to teenagers. But I don't feel I can give them advice, I'm just a teenager myself, in as many ways as I can, I try to be a teenager, "he says.
He was excited about interviewing the rock group Chicago for his show. "It was a big, big thrill. Chicago is one of my favorite groups, and I got to interview them while they were in Vancouver doing a concert. They're a great group. I really like their music and they were fun to interview too." The interview will be shown on an upcoming segment of the show.
Rene has hosted a wide range of performers on the show, from hockey stars Marcel Dionne, Rogie Vachon, and Boom Boom Geoffrion, the Hockey Rockers, skater Toller Cranston, Olympic high jumper Grey Joy, author Peter Ustinov, to singing stars Anne Murray, Gloria Loring, Mary McGregor, Suzanne Stevens, Jim Stafford, Paul Williams, and many more.
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This kind of pressure-filled life doesn't leave much time for everyday things like going to school. "I used to try to manage both school and my career," Rene says. "But it didn't work very well. I like show business better than school and I didn't concentrate enough on my school work. Then my parents said 'Whoa'... Now I have a private tutor." "I did my school work for the fall term last summer so I could tape the show this fall. I'm going back to school for the month of January to cover the winter term's work. It's much easier this way." "I'm doing both Grade 11 and 12, just the major subjects like French, English, math, history and geography," he says. "I like school, and I've always learned quickly." |
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Two years ago, Rene couldn't speak English. He learned in three months at Berlitz in Beverly Hills. His first English album was released in December.
"I have a lot of freedom in my career. If I hear a song I want to record, I go ahead and do it. That's one of the best things about my television show.
"I have lots of ideas, some are good, but not all. I'm learning the difference. There are so many creative people working on the show, and I'm learning from all of them."
The Rene Simard Show is produced by Alan Thicke who works out of Los Angeles with the Norman Lear organization, and is directed by Mike Waft.
Each show has rap sessions between Rene and his guests, a 'Disco Rene' segment and comedy skits.
Two years ago, Rene' couldn't speak English. He learned in 3 months at Berlitz." I always say Canada is the best place in the world to live."
The emphasis is on Canadian talent. "I love Canada," Rene says. "Wherever I perform I always say Canada is the best place in the world to live.
'My friends are very important. Most of them are in the entertainment business, but when I take a holiday or go home to Quebec City, I like to be able to relax and talk to someone who isn't in show business. I try to keep in touch with old friends."
Rene has been a star since his early hit Ave Marie at age nine, through his 100,000 (a Canadian gold album) Un Enfant Comme Les Autres (A Child Like Any Other), the Frank Sinatra Award for Best Performance at the International Tokyo Song Festival, a Las Vegas starring appearance in Liberace's stage show, Merv Griffin and Mike Douglas talk show appearances, and CBC specials.
"I leave long-term planning to my manager Guy Cloutier. I do my thing, and just enjoy each day.
"I never look at my career as progressing in steps," Rene explains. "I can never reach the top, there's always something else to look forward to."
tgmag@tgmag.ca