Patrick Bruel, the French singer and actor, has vehemently denied allegations of sexual assault, sources confirm. The accusations, which surfaced earlier this week, have ignited a broader debate about sexual misconduct within French celebrity culture. Bruel, 64, issued a statement through his lawyer, calling the claims 'baseless' and 'part of a smear campaign.
' The allegations come as France grapples with a growing #MeToo movement that has traditionally met resistance in its entertainment industry. Documents obtained by this newsroom suggest that at least two women have come forward with accounts dating back to the 1990s. Bruel's legal team has vowed to pursue defamation charges.
The case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile French figures, like director Roman Polanski and politician Denis Baupin, who have faced similar accusations. Critics argue that France's legal protections for the accused and a cultural reluctance to 'cancel' figures have allowed misconduct to fester. Bruel, a household name in France and a former poker champion, has a public image as a family man and philanthropist.
The allegations threaten to unravel that persona. Police have not yet opened a formal investigation, but the Paris prosecutor's office is reportedly reviewing the claims. This scandal is the latest to test France's approach to sexual violence where statutes of limitation have often shielded the powerful.
The question now: will Bruel face the same scrutiny as his American counterparts, or will French exceptionalism protect him?
