Born in Uccle in 1963, Alexandra Vandernoot was trained at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. The actress quickly began starring in productions broadcast worldwide. While the global audience immediately identifies her as Tessa Noël, the fiancée of the immortal Duncan MacLeod in the cult series Highlander, it is in France where she becomes a familiar figure to the public.
She became one of Francis Veber’s muses, shining in popular successes such as Le Jaguar, Le Placard, or the unforgettable Le Dîner de cons, alongside Jacques Villeret. The Belgian artist doesn’t stop there: she thrives in the theater, where she acts opposite Gérard Jugnot in Cher Trésor, and makes her mark in successful series like Camping Paradis, Profilage, or more recently Family Business on Netflix. But behind the success, the charming Belgian hides a deep wound, born on the benches of her drama school.
Context: Alexandra Vandernoot is an actress known for her role as Tessa Noël in the TV series Highlander.
In 2013, in an interview with Gala magazine, Alexandra Vandernoot revealed her past struggle with bulimia. It all began when she entered the Conservatory. Suddenly exposed, the 18-year-old woman struggled with the pressure of her acting career. “Being exposed to the gaze of others, especially men, understanding that this job depended on their desire hurt me a lot. So I had withdrawn,” she said.
This is when bulimia took over. “I ate a lot, without making myself vomit. In a year, I gained 25 kilos,” explained the actress. At that time, the subject was still taboo, and medical care was just beginning. “We didn’t know much about this disease, we treated it with sedatives,” she regretted. For several years, Alexandra Vandernoot fought against her disorder, but it wasn’t until she was 25 that she met someone who would ultimately help her heal.
Fact Check: Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging behaviors.
Context: Bernard Uzan is a director and the partner of Alexandra Vandernoot.
It was at that moment that the young actress met Bernard Uzan. The director then played a significant role in her life, and Alexandra Vandernoot finally became aware of her health problems: she embarked on a path to healing and serenity. Together, the two artists welcomed two children: Léo and Julia. For over 30 years, Bernard Uzan and the former star of Ici tout commence have provided unwavering support to each other and collaborate regularly on their professional projects. A true example that everything is easier when done together.
Fact Check: Ici tout commence is a French television soap opera.
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