Ilona Dufrêne: "Vulnerability can become a real comedic strength"

Having risen to fame on the Belgian stand-up scene before gradually expanding her audience to France and Canada, comedian Ilona Dufrêne, known by her stage name ilona, ​​is currently touring her show Grave, which she will present this Saturday at the Chez Guillaume comedy club in Namur. Winner of the young talent competition at the Namur is a Joke festival in 2024, columnist since November 2025 in La Riposte on Radio Nova Alongside Akim Omiri, the Belgian comedian is gradually establishing herself as one of the new faces of French-language stand-up. Blending self-deprecation, generational humor, commitment, and sincerity, she has developed a highly personal style that resonates as much on stage as on the radio. Interviewsshe talks about her show grave, his arrival on Radio Nova and his vision of stand-up comedy today.

"Belgium has a true culture of the absurd."

Aimé Kaniki: You play Grave This Saturday in Namur. What is your state of mind going into this date?

Ilona: Namur is an important city in my career because it's connected to the competition I won there. The comedy club where I perform is affiliated with the same organization. And I've been performing this show since September, so I'm happy to be presenting it again and getting feedback from the audience. Of course, the show isn't received the same way in every city. Namur isn't Brussels; there's a different atmosphere, a different mentality.

In recent years, many Belgian comedians have emerged in France. How do you explain this phenomenon?

I think Belgium has a real culture of the absurd and, above all, a tremendous amount of creative freedom. Brussels, for example, is a capital city with an almost small-town feel. There's something very free in artistic expression. And I also think that in Belgium, comedians are very sincere in what they say. There's a real personal identity in each one.

Your show blends humor, vulnerability, and self-deprecation. Is this the most sincere version of yourself on stage?

Yes, absolutely. And I think that's what gives Belgian stand-up its strength. There's a lot of truth in what we say. It's not just a string of jokes that anyone could throw in their mouth. Each comedian really develops their own style and identity.

"I've always been the joker of the group."

In GraveYou transform many personal or academic failures into It's something to make people laugh. At what point did you realize that this fragility could become a comedic strength?

I've always been the class clown. In college, I used to make tons of jokes about my failures while my friends were succeeding in their studies. They're actually the ones who signed me up for my first open mic. And I realized that people laughed a lot because they were going through the same struggles. Failure is something everyone can relate to.

You often say that vulnerability is important in stand-current update…

Yes, because stand-up is a bit like rap. It has to speak directly to people, almost one-on-one. People have to be able to see themselves in what you're saying. And today, comedians are more open about their vulnerabilities. Paul Mirabel, for example, has transformed his fragility into a real artistic strength.

East-Does it take a particular kind of audacity to go on stage?

Yes, definitely. It takes a mix of audacity and recklessness. You have to accept the idea of ​​flopping sometimes. But when you understand that it's not you personally who's failing, but just a character on stage who's learning, it becomes much simpler.

"Radio Nova offered me true freedom."

Since November 2025, you have been a columnist in La Riposte on Radio Nova. How did this adventure begin?

Initially, I accompanied a friend who was doing her first column. I attended the show, and as we were leaving, the columnists came up to me and asked if I'd be interested in writing for them. Everything happened very quickly because I had only arrived in Paris a few weeks earlier. I really felt like I was in the right place at the right time.

Before Radio Nova, you had already been through Tipik's Awakening and RTBF. What is- what is changing today with La Riposte ?

At RTBF, I had already done segments for two seasons, but on much lighter topics. At Nova, I have much more freedom and I can talk about more serious issues that align better with my convictions. The team is also very supportive; there's a real family atmosphere.

Is radio more difficult than performing on stage?

It's the same sport but not the same discipline. On stage, a great deal is conveyed through eye contact, silences, and facial expressions. On the radio, you have to think about writing differently because everything rests solely on the voice and rhythm.

"I want to become stronger and stronger."

You seem to have a very clear vision of your career…

Yes. I work extremely hard. I perform five to seven times a night, I write every day. I know exactly where I want to go: I want to become stronger and stronger at what I do.

East-What aspects of current media exposure sometimes impress you?

I'm ready for it to blow up one day, but above all, I want to be sure of what I'm proposing before it actually happens. Today, Grave It continues to grow. I want to take the time to work on the show thoroughly.

Are you already thinking about what comes next?

Stand-up comedy will always be my main activity because I have an unconditional love for this art form. But I'd also like to work in film or voice acting later on. These are worlds that greatly appeal to me.

Finally, is-What being a politically engaged comedian today can sometimes mean is closing off certain doors?

Yes, of course. Being on Radio Nova is already a positioning. It opens some doors and closes others. But that suits me very well because I prefer to be consistent with my convictions rather than trying to please everyone.

Catch Ilona every Monday at 18:30 PM in La Riposte on Radio Nova alongside Akim Omiri, on his account Social media coordinator as well as on stage with his show Grave, featured in The Little Lodge Theatre on Wednesday, June 10th at 2 rue La Bruyère, in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.

Interview by Aimé Kaniki