Accused of two complaints of rape and attempted rape, Patrick Bruel is also at the center of a heated controversy online. From reactions of personalities, memories of an incident in Corsica in 2019, to the dissemination of audio archives, social media is reigniting and redefining the case.
A case revived by new complaints
The singer is targeted by two complaints of rape and attempted rape, revealed in mid-March. Accusations that he strongly denies.
Quickly, the case has surpassed the judicial framework to settle in another arena: social media, where reactions are multiplying rapidly.
Actresses, artists, media figures – several personalities have publicly reacted. Among them, Alexandra Lamy and Andréa Bescond have spoken out, each in their own way, contributing to amplifying the visibility of the case.
“Fuck you Patrick”
“I remember that in 2022, you intruded into a feminist festival party where I was on the jury, you played the victim because I refused to come, you were boycotted, and it turned into a counter-evening in my hotel room,” wrote Andreéa Bescond, accusing him later of badmouthing her “all over Paris.” And she added: “I thank and support all women who have the courage to testify and file a complaint against you today, and those who have done so before (…) Fuck you Patrick.”
The publication was commented on by other artists, such as Anouchka Delon, launching a “strength to all” or a very notable “Well, we know” from Énora Malagré.
Actress Alexandra Lamy specifies that she participated in Andréa Bescond’s “counter-evening.”
“Finally,” reacted her daughter, actress Chloé Jouannet, in an Instagram story.
Some reactions express support for the accusers, while others more broadly question the silence that can surround such accusations.
Implicitly, an idea resurfaces: for some, these facts would be part of a context evoked in the past.
In Corsica, a precedent in people’s minds
In August 2019, Patrick Bruel was already involved in an investigation after alleged incidents in a hotel in Porticcio, near Ajaccio.
While performing a concert in Southern Corsica, the artist was questioned in connection with an investigation opened following a masseuse’s complaint. The incidents allegedly occurred in a Porticcio hotel, where the young woman mentioned inappropriate behavior during a massage session.
The investigation, opened notably for sexual harassment and indecent exposure, led to the singer’s questioning. He immediately contested the accusations. Several months later, the procedure was shelved due to insufficient evidence to establish an offense.
At the time, the case had generated strong reactions in Corsica due to the artist’s notoriety and the local context of his visit.
A memory that resurfaces and fuels discussions online.
Instagram and TikTok bring back old statements
Another significant phenomenon: the resurgence of archives. On Instagram, a feminist content creator sees her video widely shared. She revisits an old interview of Patrick Bruel on a show hosted by Thierry Ardisson.
In front of the camera, she analyzes several statements by the singer about seduction, mentioning a view of women described as “easy to seduce.”
Statements that, at the time, did not provoke any particular reaction.
Patrick Bruel assures AFP, through his lawyer Christophe Ingrain, that he has “never sought to compel anyone to a sexual act.” The famous singer claims to have “never disregarded a refusal, never forced a gesture or a sexual relationship.”
