Was this TV presenter fired because of her white hair?

Can you get fired for your natural hair color? Lisa LaFlamme has been presenting the news on CTV News every day since 2011. Suffice it to say that she has occupied a prominent place in most Canadian homes. That’s why the announcement of her departure, which she commented on video on August 15, 2022 on Twitter as not her choice but a “business decision”, caused such a stir:

“I was flabbergasted and still shocked and saddened by Bell Media’s decision. At 58, I always thought I would have a lot more time to tell more stories that impact our daily life. Instead, I leave CTV humiliated by the people who trusted me to tell their story. “

TV host Lisa LaFlamme had stopped dyeing her white hair

The decision would date back to June 2022 and would come from Bell Media, the company that owns the channel. According to The globe and the mail, this 35-year contract with this television network would be terminated notably due to the hair color that Lisa LaFlamme had recently shown. Spot of extravagant coloring in sight: the host decided to stop dyeing her white hair during childbirth, revealing gorgeous naturally gray hair.

In 2020, Lisa LaFlamme was rightfully making headlines for her decision to embrace white hair, receiving thousands of accolades across the country. When asked about it, the presenter explained that due to the pandemic, she had not been able to visit her colorist, and having to spray her roots every day to camouflage them ended up tiring her and making it seem absurd. She experienced the end of this camouflage as a liberation.

“Who approved of the decision to turn Lisa’s hair gray?” “

These inspiring words make the reporter’s sudden ouster from CTV News even more incomprehensible. Other growing political tensions within the team are also believed to be involved. But Lisa LaFlamme’s white hair would have ignited her very fuse. According to the Canadian media survey The globe and the mail always, a high-ranking official of the chain would have asked, during an important meeting, who was the person who approved the presenter’s decision to ” let Lisa’s hair turn gray “This question, which could be considered completely inappropriate, would have arisen a few days before the announcement of his dismissal.

While it’s not surprising to see male presenters taking on salt and pepper or even completely white hair, this story tells a lot about the aesthetic pressures women face. Whether on the air or not, their bodies never fully belong to them in a patriarchal society.

At the crossroads of sexism and ageism, do women have to hide to get old?

Front Page Photo Credit: CTV News Screen Capture.