Alexandra Diaz: Embracing Life, One Delightful Moment at a Time
February 27, 2026 – A chill of -7°C couldn’t dampen the spirits of Alexandra Diaz, a devoted fan of Montréal en Lumière long before she became the festival’s spokesperson three years ago. Despite recent health challenges, Diaz knew she couldn’t miss her favourite event, which she believes injects a dose of sunshine into the long winter months. And she’s proving to be an ambassador as invested as she is passionate!
“In life, no matter what trials we face, my mindset is to do things that make me happy, that bring me joy,” a cheerful Alexandra Diaz shared during a phone interview with Métro. The host, author, and journalist is genuinely enthusiastic when discussing the many pleasures of Montréal en Lumière, from the outdoor attractions to the performances – Loud, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, and Feu! Chatterton – she plans to enjoy with her teenage children, aged 19 and 16.
A Full Circle Moment
Seeing the young Cassidy reminds the former culture journalist of her early days at Radio-Canada, “back in 1920,” she jokes (she was actually there from 1995 to 2010). “I went to see her mother, Paule-Andrée Cassidy, who was extraordinary on stage. Today, I’m discovering her daughter, and I’m not surprised by her talent. Her mother was a diamond, and she’s given birth to a pearl.”
A Culinary Icon
Alexandra Diaz is also a headliner of Montréal en Lumière’s gastronomic component. On March 2nd, she will host an air fryer bagel-making workshop. “It’s such a strong Montreal symbol,” she says. “If we were visitors in another country and there was a festival like Montréal en Lumière, it would definitely be part of our itinerary, and here it is, right here at home!”
Navigating a Health Journey
Currently, Alexandra Diaz is gently returning to work after completing chemotherapy in early February. She’s developing new projects, writing constantly – which may lead to a new book – and plans to share her recipes on social media soon. Last October, the dynamic communicator, 54, announced she had been diagnosed with a rare form of immune system cancer, mantle cell lymphoma. Her journey (she prefers this term to “fight,” she explains on her website) to manage the illness is ongoing, including further immunotherapy treatments.
“There are still quite a few treatments ahead, but the toughest part is behind me. We’re taking it one day at a time!” This tireless worker has already gleaned some lessons from this unexpected turn of life. “Slowness, decluttering, degrowth, and a big, big letting go,” she summarizes. It’s about enjoying life and not taking anything for granted. She wants to be mindful of what she says yes to. “I have energy to spare, for everyone and everything. Now, I ask myself: who am I saying yes to, and what am I saying yes to? I’m much more selective, I do things for pure pleasure, without performance. And I cultivate the art of doing nothing! That was something I didn’t understand at all before. But today, I realize that when everything moves too fast and is too busy, you don’t see the landscape.”
Giving Back and Staying Positive
Diaz is deeply touched by the popularity of her five cookbooks (four based on air fryer recipes), which, purchased from her website (alexandradiaz.ca), allow her to donate $1 per book to the Jewish General Hospital Foundation, where she is receiving treatment. “That’s what I hope will really save me, because I’m on a three-year treatment protocol. Research is really the key in fighting this disease…”
She remains positive and cautious, needing to avoid germs. That means foregoing the crowded pits at festival concerts where she used to venture with her children. But that won’t stop her from having fun. “2026 is truly a year of rebuilding for me. I want to rebuild the foundation. My health is really my priority. And doing things that really excite me… like Montréal en Lumière!”
The 27th edition of the Montréal en Lumière festival begins today and runs until March 7th.
