Sophie Grégoire, the former wife of Canadian ex-prime minister Justin Trudeau, has publicly addressed his new, high-profile relationship with pop superstar Katy Perry for the first time. Grégoire opened up about navigating life in the public eye and maintaining her composure during a recent podcast appearance.
Choosing Music Over the Noise
During an interview on the Arlene is Alone podcast, the 50-year-old shared her philosophical approach to the media attention surrounding her ex-husband's love life. Grégoire, who announced her separation from Trudeau in 2023 after 18 years of marriage, told host Arlene Dickinson that she focuses on what truly matters.
"We're human beings and stuff affects us. That's normal," she stated. "How you react to stuff is your decision. So I choose to try to listen to the music instead of the noise." She acknowledged being "very aware that a lot of public stuff out there can be triggers," but emphasised that her subsequent actions and the woman she aims to become through this experience are her own choice.
Embracing Emotions with Intention
Grégoire was keen to clarify that her measured approach does not mean she is devoid of feeling. Describing herself as a "super tender heart," she confirmed she experiences the full spectrum of emotions, from crying and screaming to laughter.
"I'll let myself be disappointed by someone, I'll let myself be angry, be sad," she explained. As a mental health advocate, she stressed the importance of fully feeling these emotions rather than suppressing them. However, she is careful not to remain in a "reactive mode" where she might "suffer the consequences" of increased stress or judgment.
Reflecting on her personal growth, she added, "I'm also learning at 50 that people will meet life as where they are inside of them. It's your choice to see that and be like, 'How am I going to let that affect my happiness?'"
A United Front for the Family
Despite their separate paths, Grégoire highlighted the enduring respect and shared commitment between her and the former prime minister. The couple, who share three children—Xavier, 18, Ella-Grace, 16, and Hadrien, 11—have made a conscious decision to prioritise their family.
"We have separate lives, but we have one family life," she told Dickinson. "You need a common, conscious decision that our family is our greatest creation and we're going to feed it together, no matter if we're on different life paths."
Grégoire's reflective comments come weeks after Trudeau and Perry made their relationship public. The pair were filmed leaving the famed Le Crazy Horse in Paris hand-in-hand on Perry's birthday in October, with the singer in a bold red dress and the politician in a dark suit.
The romance first sparked rumours in July when they were seen dining together in Montreal. The following night, Trudeau attended Perry's concert in the city with his teenage daughter. Shortly after, during a performance in London, Perry hinted at the new relationship, telling the crowd, "No wonder I fall for Englishmen all the time… but not anymore." She also responded to an on-stage marriage proposal by saying, "I wish you'd asked me 48 hours ago." Perry announced her split from British actor Orlando Bloom, father of her five-year-old daughter Daisy Dove, in July.
