Anne Elizabeth Lapointe: Person of the Week
Anne Elizabeth Lapointe is the Executive Director of the Maison Jean Lapointe. Ms. Lapointe has over 22 years of experience in the field of addiction, including 18 years in prevention. She has contributed to the development and evaluation of the Maison Jean Lapointe’s prevention programs. These programs reach 100,000 young people yearly in Quebec. Ms. Lapointe is actively involved in the community and sits on several boards of directors, round tables, and expert committees. She has given countless conferences pertaining to her field of expertise and continues to share her knowledge within the community. Her proficiencies include prevention and treatment of all addictions and ethics. Ms. Lapointe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, a Diploma in Management, a Certificate and a Graduate Diploma in Addiction and Ethics.
Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?
A. I’m in Al-Anon but I don’t have a specific date.
Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?
A. Knowing I’m not alone.
Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?
A. It’s a disease.
Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?
A. John Taylor, of course!
Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?
A. By the ocean so I can surf every day!
A. Always remembering where I come from and all the progress I’ve made.
Q. How do you measure success?
A. I don’t. Success is a long sinuous road and so subjective.
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. Crooked frames on the wall!
A. Mine! Foundation Jean Lapointe.
Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?
A. Without a question, my dad.
Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?
A. Sanford Meisner, from the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the theatre. To this day, his teachings are useful and help me connect with other people.
Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?
A. I’m from Montreal. After living in NYC for many years, I am back in Montreal.
Q. If you were giving a dinner party for your 3 favorite authors, living or dead, who would they be? (You can choose a 4th if you think one might be too drunk or stoned to attend.)
A. Sam Shepard, Aristotle, and Anaïs Nin.
Q. What’s your concept of a Higher Power?
A. I believe in God and that all the loved ones I lost are watching over me.
Q. What book(s) have you read more than once?
A. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, Sanford Meisner on acting, Pride and Prejudice, and all the Greek tragedies.
Q. Which film have you watched the most?
A. The Apartment (1960) and All About Eve (1950).
Q. Who is your favorite film director?
A. I can’t choose just one! Antonioni, Wilder, Hitchcock.
Q. What surprised you most about living sober?
A. How much fun life is and how easy it is to be happy.
Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?
A. To do things even when you’re scared, that it’s okay to be weird and to stop thinking you’re stupid, ugly, and untalented.
Q. What books are you reading now?
A. The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul.
Q. What is your favorite App?
A. TikTok.
Q. Are you binge watching any TV series?
A. Oh God yes! “Nobody Wants This” is my current obsession!
Q. What is your favorite play or musical?
A. Face Divided by Edward Allan Baker.
A. My father, Jean Lapointe.
Q. What is your favorite musician and or band?
A. Jeff Buckley.
Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?
A. Compassionate.
Q. What is your favorite city?
A. Paris.
Q. What sport(s) do you like to play or watch?
A. Ballet is my cardio.
Q. What is your favorite restaurant?
A. It’s closed. Yaffa Cafe in NYC.
Q. What is your favorite cuisine?
A. French.
Q. What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?
A. Never doubt your talent.
Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?
A. No clue!
Q. Have you ever been arrested and, if so, what for?
A. Nope!
Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?
A. Dogs.
Q. What was the proudest moment in your life?
A. Being capable of singing at my father’s funeral.
Q. What is a style trend you wish would come back?
A. 1870’s high bustle skirts.
Q. What do you love most about yourself?
A. My compassion and sense of humor.
Q. What are five things you always carry with you?
A. My father’s one-decade rosary, reading glasses, chocolate, a toothbrush, and toothpaste.
Q. What is your biggest fear?
A. Losing my son.
Q. Where do you go when you want to be alone?
A. My bed!
Q. What is your biggest regret?
A. I have none and many at the same time. But I try to look ahead and not think too much about the past.
Q. What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?
A. Moving to NYC at 20.
Q. What is something you are currently curious about?
A. Perfumes! I want to become a perfumer!