The Voice , the singer’s baptism?

The Voice, Star Academy or Revolution: there are reality TV shows designed to propel candidates to the forefront of their profession. They are a crash course and a springboard to make themselves known to the public. Many young people have become public figures by capitalizing on this dazzling media exposure. Remember Marie-Mai, who participated in the first season of Star Academy in 2003 before becoming a popular singer. Or Olivier Dion, in 2012. Charlotte Cardin also began her artistic career by participating in the first season of The Voice in 2013. Even though she didn't win, she got noticed by industry professionals, and we know where she is today.

Trudy made it to the semi-finals of the French reality TV show The Voice: La plus belle voix in 2015, with coach Florent Pagny. A standing ovation from the audience followed by a country-pop album contract with Mercury France, a subsidiary of Universal. She even promoted her upcoming album with renowned media outlets such as Paris Match, Les Grands du Rire, TF1, The Voice, Le Grand Show, Non-Stop People, etc. And then… nothing. The label chose to prioritize local artists.

Reality TV, a must?

If The Voice brought Trudy great visibility and a slew of admirers, Occupation Double (OD) did the same. "It was also to make myself known," she admits without prejudice. "I always wanted to work in song. Several roads lead to Rome."

Many Quebec artists have appeared on reality TV shows before shining on stage. Mathieu Baron participated in the first season of Loft Story in 2003, before becoming a well-known actor. Mariepier Morin, host and columnist, became known to the general public by participating in OD in 2011. Jay Du Temple hosted OD in 2017, which earned him three nominations for the Prix Gémeaux, and he was a columnist on other reality TV shows, such as La soirée est (encore) jeune, Like-moi! and OD+ en direct, before devoting himself to his career as a comedian.

Trudy won the public vote and was crowned the winner of OD South Africa in 2019. During the show, her song I'll Just Go Solo was broadcast on YouTube and was viewed nearly 500,000 times! Music producer Connor Seidel then worked with her on a country-folk album. Their duo won gold thanks to the theme song they co-wrote for Colocs en Amour, the best-selling song in Quebec in its first week on the ADISQ chart!

Artist and influencer, does that go without saying?

In highly publicized fields such as music, cinema, fashion or television, artists are often influencers. The young and pretty Trudy is no exception. A professional model since the age of fifteen, known thanks to reality TV and even an actress in her spare time (for seven years on Deal or No Deal ), she knows how to produce Instagrammable and TikTok-able music as much as she knows how to be one herself, which has become an imperative relayed by labels. "The power of social networks is enormous," she says, with a cool head. "You have to know how to maximize these platforms."

Breaking into the music industry is a major challenge in the era of influencers and reality TV. The role of artists has evolved, and the pandemic has accelerated it. They must now devote time to their social media strategy, animate their community, and feed new content that is more engaging than the last. The tracks must please the algorithms. A good artist must not only perform, they must also be an entrepreneur for themselves, and know how to put themselves forward by juggling social platforms.

Many artists develop their careers in the entertainment and influence fields at the same time. One supports the other. Safia Nolin is a singer-songwriter and influencer, known for her committed positions and publications. Alicia Moffett is both a singer and an influencer, just as Sarah-Jeanne Labrosse is an actress and Instagrammer. Jay Du Temple and Mariepier Morin also support their notoriety on social networks.

Many even started there. Kevin Bazinet was heard on YouTube, where he posted videos of pop song covers. Then he won La Voix, which launched his musical career. Damien Robitaille was discovered on MySpace. La Bronze, known for her defense of women's rights and the LGBTQ+ community, posted covers on YouTube, before releasing several albums while receiving numerous awards for her social commitment.

And what about talent?

Is becoming a reality TV star enough to claim fame? No, success in the entertainment industry does not only depend on participating in a reality TV show or the number of followers on social networks. Even if this contributes to notoriety, it is not enough: talent and perseverance make a career successful and sustainable.

“I have always kept moving forward. There have been disappointments, but there have also been moments of happiness and magic. I have met great personalities in the industry who have validated my talent. I have continued to work hard. I am also a witness to the public who walk with me and believe in my potential.”

Trudy has always dreamed of making music. “I remember this teacher in elementary school who encouraged me. I got the solo in the choir and she was crying, touched by the great sensitivity she discovered in my voice.”

From the age of eight, and up until Cégep where she chose jazz music, Trudy dedicated herself body and soul to singing. She entered every possible competition. She won recognition and distinctions! Named most promising singer at the Festival de musique Québec-Ontario twice, twice recipient of the Medal of Honour at the Toronto Conservatory of Music , she sang everywhere, in L'Heure de Gloire with René Simard, the Téléthon des Étoiles and the Gala Révélation.

She joined the talent team of a house specializing in creation, musical composition and writing of music, which led her to lend her voice and music to different films, shows and commercials. As a teenager, she produced albums and signed contracts. Corey Hart, Warner Canada, Siena Records, CAA Los Angeles… She even sang a duet with Garou on his album It's magic , propelling her onto the French scene.

Go Solo

Ultimately, Trudy is anything but a newcomer. In 2022, after all these experiences in the industry, the Montreal singer-songwriter decided to take the reins of her career independently. Today, at thirty years old, she wants to take full creative control of her music and her career. Go Solo says it all.