Lisa LaFlamme has been Canada’s most popular presenter for 35 years and was fired for appearing in a video, aged 58, with gray hair.
The suspicion of sexism and ageism looms the sudden ouster from Canadian television station CTV of Lisa LaFlamme, the country’s most popular presenter.
Awarded this year by the Canadian Screen Awards as top national anchor, LaFlamme could have been kicked out by the decision of appear in a video, aged 58, with gray hair.
It was she who revealed in a video on Twitter who, at the end of June, were informed that the company Bell Middledecided to terminate his contract after 35 years of service, two years in advance.
“I was shocked and still shocked, saddened by this decision,” the reporter said, adding that she had been asked to keep the news a secret for some time.
“At 58, I thought I had a lot more time to tell new stories that impact our daily lives,” said the host, who covered the major events of her time, including elections, wars and natural disasters.
“If on the one hand it’s devastating to leave CTV Newswhich in a certain way is not the fruit of my choice, on the other hand you know that informing you has been the greatest honor of my life and I thank you for always being there”, he said. it honored its viewers.
“THE TONE OF THE HAIR DIDN’T GIVE GOOD”
Station management assured it was just a ‘business decision’ to go in a ‘different direction’, citing “the evolution of user habits”.
This is how he announced LaFlamme’s replacement: national affairs correspondent Omar Sachedina, 39, whose competence and diversity (a Muslim from an Indian family emigrated from Uganda) were not enough to calm the controversy.
Viewers, media colleagues and cultural celebrities such as former singer Anne Murray condemned the move, with some inquiring about the station’s chief manager.
Among the possible antecedents of the dismissal, the arguments between the presenter and the head of CTVNewsMichael Melling, on resources to cover the war in Ukraine.
But LaFlamme’s decision to Stop dyeing your hair in 2020when the pandemic prevented him from going to the hairdresser, he monopolizes the limelight.
“At the end, I said why worry? I’m going gray. Honestly, if I had known that the lockdown could be so freeing on this front, I would have done it much sooner,” he said. she says during a special.
THE PUBLIC SUPPORTS IT
A popular choice for Canadian women. But the decision upset Melling, who asked who approved of it and he did not like the effect of the tone of the hairstyle under studio lights.
Canadians have now taken to social media to celebrate the presenter for embracing her gray hair and don’t hide your age.
“Lisa allowed herself to age in the video and it gave me the confidence to shine in my natural beauty as I age,” wrote Sarah M.
Others have warned that the layoff sends a message to middle-aged women, who could face professional consequences if they opt for a more natural look.
The media also points out that Lloyd Robertson, LaFlamme’s predecessor, retired at 77 and was honored with a farewell video.
ANSA Agency.
GML
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