Rene-Charles Angelil is the son of global music superstar Celine Dion, so he knows a thing or two about being around the spotlight. It may be his turn to stand in it, however, as his deep run continues in the 2025 WSOP Main Event.
Angelil learned the game at a very young age from his late father, Canadian music super producer Rene Angelil, and he has been playing ever since. The Main Event is always the dream, no matter where you come from, and it's his turn for a shot at glory.
PokerOrg's very own Craig Tapscott caught up with Angelil on a break during Day 5 of the Main Event, where he is still around with less than 300 players left.
'Anybody can win the Main Event'
Talk to me about when you got introduced to poker.
I've been playing poker since like as long as I can remember. Growing up, you know, with my dad, he was such a poker lover that he introduced me to the game and I also fell in love. So, some of my first memories have to do with cards, you know?
Did you play home games at home with your dad or with the family?
Well, obviously before I was 21, I couldn't play elsewhere. So we would have some friends over and we'd have like a little sit-and-go tournament or stuff. My dad and I would play heads up at night. It was a lot of fun. know, we'd all put in 20 bucks and the winner took all.
What do think your dad loved about the game?
Probably the strategic part, the same reason I love it. A lot of it, you know, has to do with luck as well. It's always good to be lucky in poker, but long term, the better player is going to win. And that's the really cool part about poker. It's not like chess where you always get bested by the better opponent. Anybody can win the Main Event. You don't have to be a good poker player or, you know, even just heads up, anybody can win. But over time that the better player is going to win.
What is exciting being this deep in the Main Event?
I've never gotten this deep before so I didn't realize how it's slow and very quick at the same time. It’s what, Day 5 now? It doesn't feel that way. It feels like everything's happening so fast yet so slow. It's starting to feel real with only what 300 something players left in the field. It's really exciting.
'A dream come true'
What is your day-to-day life like?
I grew up playing golf, got a golf scholarship to college. I try to play it every day that I can. And actually at the end of this month, the 28th, I'm playing in the state amateur.
What about music?
I love music. I grew up with music. I listen to it every day and I love making music. I started making music when I was around 15, 16 years old. I released my first EP when I was 18. It's on Apple Music, Casino 5. Check it out. I still write and record to this day. It's not like I'm going to go on tour or anything, but I just love doing it.
Where's your main focus in life? What do you love to do more of anything else?
I work for my mom as kind of a right-hand man on by her side with whatever she needs, especially when we're touring or out of the the city. I'm very blessed that this gives me a lot of free time to do stuff like this and be Day 5 in the Main and play a lot of golf.
Is poker something you follow when you're not in the Main Event?
Oh yeah. I'm watching it on TV and my hands are sweating and it's unlike anything else. There's nothing like the Main. It's such a dream. And even to make it to Day 5 and knock on wood, Day 6 tomorrow, it's really a dream come true.
