The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Television Host›Rebecca Makonnen
Entertainment • Television Host

Rebecca Makonnen

Rebecca Makonnen is a Canadian television and radio broadcaster, journalist, and author based in Quebec.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rebecca Makonnen is a Canadian television and radio broadcaster, journalist, and author based in Quebec. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Canada, she has worked in music, culture, and public-affairs programming for major Radio-Canada outlets. She is known for hosting interview and talk shows such as De l'huile sur le feu.

Career

Makonnen began her media career at MusiquePlus in 1999 as a journalist and VJ. She later worked on cultural coverage, red-carpet reporting, and radio-hosting roles. Her broadcasting career has included programs such as Studio 12, Circuit Makonnen, and On dira ce qu’on voudra.

Writing

In 2024, Makonnen published Dans mon sang, a book described as an autobiographical or autofictional work exploring her origins and family history. The book brought wider public attention to her personal background.

Public profile

Makonnen is known in Quebec as a long-time media personality associated with music and culture journalism. Her work has also included live event hosting and bilingual public broadcasting roles.

Personal background

Makonnen was born in Ethiopia to an Ethiopian father and Quebec mother, and arrived in Quebec as a child. She later studied journalism at Concordia University.

Key facts

  • Rebecca Makonnen is a Quebec-based Canadian broadcaster, journalist, and author in French-language media.
  • She began her career at MusiquePlus in 1999 and later hosted programs on Radio-Canada and ICI Musique.
  • Her work focuses on music, culture, interviews, and social issues.
  • She hosted the talk program De l'huile sur le feu and published the book Dans mon sang in 2024.
  • Born in Ethiopia and raised in Quebec, she studied journalism at Concordia University.
🍁
Canadian context

She is a Quebec-based Canadian media figure whose career has unfolded largely in French-language Canadian broadcasting, especially at Radio-Canada and ICI Musique.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rebecca Makonnen?
She is a Canadian broadcaster, journalist, and author known for radio and television work in Quebec.
What is Rebecca Makonnen known for?
She is known for hosting cultural and interview programming on Radio-Canada and ICI Musique.
Where is Rebecca Makonnen from?
She was born in Ethiopia and raised in Quebec, Canada.
What books has she written?
She published Dans mon sang in 2024.
What type of programs has she hosted?
Her work has included music, culture, interview, and talk programs on radio and television.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_Makonnen
    Supports: Canadian broadcaster; hosted De l'huile sur le feu; previous hosting on Circuit Makonnen; continued Radio-Canada roles.
  2. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_Makonnen
    Supports: Described as a Canadian radio, television, and author; works in Quebec media.
  3. Hainault — https://www.hainault.ca/artistes/rebeccamakonnen
    Supports: Birth in Ethiopia, arrival in Quebec as a child, MusiquePlus start in 1999, Radio-Canada hosting roles, and publication of Dans mon sang.
  4. 7 Jours — https://www.7jours.ca/2024/11/16/rebecca-makonnen-ne-pense-pas-ecrire-a-nouveau
    Supports: Publication of Dans mon sang and overview of her career and origins.
  5. La Presse — https://www.lapresse.ca/arts/television/200811/11/01-38370-rebecca-makonnen-obamagirl.php
    Supports: Born in Ethiopia, raised in Quebec, and studied journalism at Concordia University.