The controversy surrounding Patrick Bruel continues to gain momentum. For several weeks, the singer has been facing numerous accusations relayed in different media, while several complaints of gender-based and sexual violence are currently being examined in France and Belgium. An affair now so publicized thatit begins to provoke political reactions and concrete consequences on the artist’s tour.
Wednesday May 20, Emmanuel Grégoire, the socialist mayor of Paris, took a position in the 4 V In Télématin on France 2. “Patrick Bruel is one of the stars of my adolescence”he declared, before discussing his disappointment at the accusations against the singer. Anne Hidalgo’s successor, however, recalled that “the presumption of innocence must be guaranteed, but also for the serenity of his defense”, he argued that the actor “should take a break from his career while justice is served.” Concerning the concerts planned in the capital, he also believes that Patrick Bruel “must cancel them himself”, as reported by our colleagues from franceinfo.
Bruel affair: the government spokesperson gets involved
Patrick Bruel is due to perform at the Cirque d’Hiver in June as well as at the Zénith in Paris next October. For the moment, no French date has been canceled despite a petition supported by several feminist associations and already signed by more than 20,000 people. Maud Bregeon, government spokesperson and Minister Delegate for Energy, was also the guest, Tuesday, May 19, of the 4 Vand shared his thoughts on the subject. “We must continue to provide extremely clear messages in public speech that encourage women to speak” she declared.
Then continue: “We must all work towards a political, media and judicial system that“which allows women who have been victims of gender-based and sexual violence to express themselves, to say so in public and to be heard by the courts.” Concerning the maintenance of Patrick Bruel’s concerts, she explained “that he was free” to continue his career but that she “wouldn’t go [le] see play”. If the singer’s representations in France seem not yet to be called into question, in Canada, on the other hand, the situation is already evolving.
Patrick Bruel performances canceled in Canada
On May 19, the newspaper The Press announced the suspension of the concerts that the singer was to perform on December 3, 4 and 5 at the Théâtre Capitole in Quebec. In a press release, promoter Gestev explained his decision: “Given the current context and the impossibility of ensuring its promotion, Gestev has decided to indefinitely suspend the Patrick Bruel shows scheduled for next December at the Théâtre Capitole.” However, the other Canadian concerts are being maintained for the moment and the Montreal Olympia website still displays the performances scheduled for November 27, 28 and 29 for which several seats remain available for sale.
Flavie Flament maintains her accusations against the singer who denies
This rise in media tensions follows in particular Flavie Flament’s speech to our colleagues at Mediapart. The host accuses Patrick Bruel of having it “violée” et “drugs” in 1991 when she was only 16 years old. She says she felt “an absence, a total blackout” after drinking tea at the singer’s home before regaining consciousness in a bed. “At 16, it is normally the age of the first emotions. “It’s not the age of rape in a Parisian apartment.” she said in this interview. Faced with these accusations, Patrick Bruel and his lawyers continue to strongly contest the alleged facts.
Guest on BFMTV Tuesday May 19, 2026, Me Christophe Ingrain, lawyer for the singer, affirmed that the relationship between Patrick Bruel and Flavie Flament was “perfectly consented” and that it would have taken place over several years in the form of meetings “episodic”. A version totally rejected by Flavie Flament, “sidérée” by the words of the defense, which assures Mediapart not have “absolutely never had a relationship” with the artist. “It’s insulting to me and it’s also insulting to all women”, she concluded. The singer continues to benefit from the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
