Mélody Bonicel
 Age: 20 "The most challenging part of the competition has been the language. English is not my mother tongue!" Mélody Bonicel has been competing in singing competitions since she was 14, when she won a provincial-wide vocal contest. Now, the 20-year-old studies music at Collège Lionel-Groulx and sings in local restaurants on weekends. Mélody says that even though she is shy, she is "a very funny girl who loves to laugh." Mélody loves to play soccer, eat raspberries and cake and wear skirts. She knows how to belly dance and play the congas and is active with snowboarding, roller blading and climbing. Mélody says she couldn't live without her Walkman and loves to listen to listen to Bryan Adams. "I love his music and my dream would be to sing with him one day," she says. The song title that best describes her? Si Différente Quand Je Chante (So Different When I sing). "It describes how I can be free when I sing and let go of my fears," she says.
Mélody's fun facts: Which musical act would you most like to see in concert? Les Miserables
What has been the biggest accomplishment of your life? When I won a provincial voice contest at the age of 14 in Saint-Ambroise, Qué. It was the first contest I ever participated in and I finished with 2 first prizes. What are you the most proud of? I am very proud of having overcome all my doubts to continue to sing. Which item could you not live without? My walkman. What's been the best day of your life? When I won that contest at 14. If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be and why? Bryan Adams because I love his music and my dream would be to sing with him one day. What do you think has gotten you this far in the competition? My love for singing and the encouragement of my family and friends. What will it take for you to become the Canadian Idol? Good preparation and the support of many people throughout Canada. What has been the most challenging part of the competition so far? The language. English is not my mother tongue. Whose career path would you like to follow and why? I admire very much Isabelle Boulay because she has a warm voice and she slowly but surely made her way through the years. But I would also want to sing in both languages, French and English. What part of the Canadian Idol experience has surprised you the most? The good care and concern that everyone has had with us. What did you learn about yourself during the Top 100? Never stop believing in what we love the most. What was your reaction when you made the Top 32? I was so surprised having been chosen when I saw so many people with nice voices. Why me? And at the same time I was sad to see my friend Jade not chosen. Who has been the greatest inspiration of your life? My parents, they have always believed in me, more than I did myself. Who has helped to make you the singer you are today? My dear teacher Diane Lafrance and my parents. What song touches you the most? Why does it affect you so much? "Ne me quitte pas" of Jacques Brel. I would like to be loved so much with wonderful words as this song. What song title best describes you? We have a song in French from Maurane titled "Si différente quand je chante" (So different when I sing) . It describes how I can be free when I sing and let go my fears. What do you do to keep your nerves in check during the competition? I rationalize my fears and I pray. How has this competition changed you? It has helped me to believe in myself and given me more assurance. What is your motto? Always be myself. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? I sometimes like to repeat a phrase of my mother and grand-mother: "Petit train va loin" which means "step by step". Step by step we reach our goals. |
