EXCLUSIVE – Death of Isabelle Mergault, her iconic interview with Entrevue: “I could have cured my lisp, but a speech therapist advised me to keep it to stand out from others.”

By Jérôme Goulon.

Isabelle Mergault passed away this Friday at the age of 67 after a battle with cancer. Born on May 11, 1958, in Paris, she established herself as a leading figure in the French artistic scene, leading a rich and varied career as an actress, director, and screenwriter. Trained at the Beaux-Arts before turning to theater, she began her film career in the late 1970s, notably under the direction of Daniel Duval, before gaining wider recognition thanks to her comedic talent and unique personality. She then turned to writing in the 1990s, and subsequently achieved significant success as a director with I think you are very handsome, awarded the César for best first film in 2007. Also present on radio and television, notably in The Big HeadsAlongside Philippe Bouvard and Laurent Ruquier, Isabelle Mergault has left her mark on several generations with her direct humor, authenticity, and legendary lisp. We interviewed Isabelle Mergault on several occasions in Interviewsincluding this interview conducted in 2020. As a tribute, we invite you to (re)discover it…

Interview: Isabelle, it's going to be quite a year for you! How are you feeling about it?
Isabelle Mergault:  I can feel it's soft! (Laughs) No, honestly, I hope that those who have demands will be able to see their fight through to the end, that they will be heard, and I hope that I will finally be able to have some fun!

On stage, at least, you're having a blast, it shows! 
Yes, I'm the happiest person in the world at the theatre! The stage is my element, my own little temple! And the plays I write are my recreation!

Actually, the pitch for your latest play, She and Him One day, there's a knock at your door, and a stunning woman appears: Jeanne… But behind the makeup and the beautiful figure, it's not quite what you expected…
She told me, "You don't recognize me, but it's me, Jean, your first husband!" She was transformed, and when I say "transformed," I mean completely—she had it all cut off! I must also commend the dedication of the actor Philippe Vieux, who underwent full-body surgery to get into character. (Laughs) Whatever the case may be, he or she has never forgotten me, and it's going to cause a huge mess in the family, with Ron, my car-obsessed husband, and Gildas, my "Tanguy"-style offspring, who I'm seriously bored with!

You're tackling a much more serious subject than simple cross-dressing! Transsexuality in theatre is something we've rarely seen. Is there a message behind all this?
No, plays with a message are not my thing at all! I start with a situation that seems funny to me and I do something with it, that's all! 

But aren't you afraid of provoking those who might accuse you of transphobia? 
Oh, come on, people can say what they want, I don't care! If they're not happy, let them go somewhere else, see other pieces besides mine! I don't even ask the question if you really want to know!

All your films and all your plays are about love… Or rather, the lack of love! When everything is too perfect, isn't it uninteresting?
You'll always have a better chance of getting a laugh from despair! Happiness is boring, especially other people's! And if you want to talk about it, my love life is pretty much nonexistent! (Laughs)  But I think you can't have it all in life! Between family, love, and work, you have to choose!

In fact, since your last film, Tit for tatDon't you want to do it again?
The problem with film is that it demands an enormous amount of energy for something that's only going to be on screen for three weeks! And then, if you have the misfortune of running into an American blockbuster, you're done for, you don't stand a chance! Whereas with theater, word of mouth has time to spread, things move more slowly, they can evolve, nothing is set in stone, and you can appreciate your work over time… But I'll be back in film, don't worry! (She will direct "Des mains en or" in 2023, Ed.)

"I'm fed up, all I get are ridiculous offers! Either it's for roles of airheads, or they ask me to get naked!"

And will you be returning as an actress? Because it's been a long time since we've seen you there either!
Yes, but I'm fed up, all I get are ridiculous offers! Either it's for silly roles, or they ask me to get naked!

In any case, at the theatre, when we come to see Isabelle Mergault, it's also to hear that little lisp that we love; you could absolutely have cured it… 
Well, let me stop you right there! I don't lisp, sir, I have a hiss! (Laughs) Yes, it's true, I could have cured it in three sessions, but when I was younger, a speech therapist advised me to keep it. Since I wanted to be an actress, he told me it would set me apart from everyone else and that it could help me! Thank you, Doctor! Today, I wouldn't part with it for anything! And if I were to lose it, just like that, overnight, it would give too much ammunition to all the sharks circling around me!

What was the most hurtful criticism you've ever received?
Not to worry about it… When I received my César in 2007 for my film I think you are very handsomeNo one talked about it! Not a single journalist called me the next day! Complete radio silence from the entire profession! And that's hard to take…

Perhaps we know the reason: you didn't go to pick it up yourself! Staying home and sending Michel Blanc in your place didn't work in your favor! 
You might be right, but damn, not a single line in a newspaper, isn't that crazy?

And all this because you don't want to show your emotions? When it comes to being blunt, you're the first one there, but when it's time to open up, nobody's around! Curtain!
I'm terrified of crying! And I can cry in a quarter of a second! I really didn't want anyone to see me like that, it scares me to death, I don't want to! 

We wonder why you don't try a solo career. You'd be amazing!
No, I don't think so… I don't know how to write that kind of thing. I need the camaraderie of a group, and to be surrounded by my friends! Being alone on stage, I see it as something downright terrifying. I admire those who manage to live solely on their own; I just can't.

You are quite paradoxical: you are the queen of creation, with a boundless imagination, but you have a rather destructive temperament towards yourself…
It's true that I really mess up my life. And at one point, I even destroyed my health. But it's in my nature; I need these kinds of low points to bounce back. I need to hit rock bottom. Being backed into a corner has always led to amazing results for me afterward… That's just how I am… That's what it means to be destructive! But let's be clear, I don't destroy others; it's myself, and only myself, that I tear to pieces!

Yes, you care about your friends, but it seems you don't have many. You have a very small circle. You much prefer evenings with your buddies to fancy dinners!
Oh yes, I get so bored at cocktail parties! And it's not snobbish to say that, but it's true, it bores me… And when I'm bored, I drink and say a mountain of stupid things that I'll regret afterwards, so it's better if I don't go! (Laughs)

"I love Laurent Ruquier! He's a true friend, a real gem! Believe me, I've rarely met someone so kind in this business!"

Among your "closest friends" is Laurent Ruquier. You are one of the pillars of his Big heads, on RTL… 
I love Laurent! He's a true friend! I've rarely met someone so kind in this industry, believe me!

And compared to his predecessor, Philippe Bouvard, with whom you were also very close?
I have a lot of affection for him. And credit where credit is due: he's the one who gave me my start in the business! I remember everyone telling me he was unbearable, mean, and temperamental; I was terrified of him! He was portrayed as the odious guru of French television, but he was a sweetheart to me!

You have one thing in common with Bouvard: you shouldn't be bored! What is it that you absolutely shouldn't be told?
I've always fought to be as free as possible, I'm self-made, and I forged my own path. So, whatever you do, don't give me orders! Otherwise, I'll throw everything to the wind, and it can be very painful!

I heard you have a little game when you're alone on a terrace: you watch people go by and try to imagine their lives! If you saw Isabelle Mergault walk by, what would she make you laugh about?
I know myself, it might surprise you, but I wouldn't make myself look funny at all…

What would worry you?
I hope that this woman I see passing by will be able to accept growing old, and that she will welcome the life that awaits her without bitterness or fear. It's quite a challenge I've set myself!