Koutouan is a member of the Tchaman people and was born in the village of Abobo-Té in the municipality of Abobo near Abidjan.[1] She wanted to become an actress from her childhood, though this idea was not warmly received by her parents. She began her career in the 1980s in the "Fétiche éburnéen" theater troupe.[2] In 1986, Koutouan was named Best Dancer at the Ivory Coast ballet.[3]