Despite the testimonies of about fifteen women accusing him of sexual assault and rape, Patrick Bruel remains steadfast. The French singer will start the tour celebrating the 35th anniversary of his album Alors regarde in Europe, before performing in Quebec in November and December.
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The Alors regarde 35 tour, which is set to kick off on June 16th in Paris, will stop at the Olympia Theatre in Montreal from November 27th to 29th, then at the Capitole de Quebec from December 3rd to 5th, according to the singer’s tour schedule. Tickets for both Quebec venues are almost sold out.
In a brief statement sent to La Presse, his press attaché in Quebec, Narimane Doumandji confirmed the singer’s intention to proceed as planned for now. “The concerts are maintained,” she said. “We let justice take its course and remind that the presumption of innocence applies.”
However, about fifty artists, collectives, and feminist associations have launched a petition demanding the cancellation of the “57 dates” of his tour in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada. Initiated by the feminist collective Salon, this petition calls to “cancel Patrick Bruel’s visit” in all cities where he is scheduled to perform.
The initiative is supported notably by actresses Anna Mouglalis, Corinne Masiero, Anouk Grinberg, as well as singer Pomme and journalist Alice Coffin. “Patrick Bruel is indeed presumed innocent, but how could justice rule serenely while the singer is performing on all Francophone stages?” the signatories wrote.
In an investigation published last March by Mediapart, eight women claimed to have been sexually assaulted by the singer. A few weeks later, in April, Elle magazine published additional investigative content, adding four more testimonies. In Belgium, a press attaché, Karine Viseur, also spoke out against “a flood of forced caresses.”
It is worth noting that in 2019, five masseuses from luxury establishments also denounced the singer’s inappropriate behavior. An investigation closed the case without charges, but some procedures are under review. At least five judicial inquiries are currently open in France and Belgium. In Quebec, no accusations have been reported to date.
The 66-year-old artist has maintained his innocence since the beginning of this affair, claiming to have “never crossed a refusal, never forced a gesture or sexual act.”
