Patrick Bruel affair: his defense strategy in the face of accusations from masseuses, and his explanations considered unconvincing

In 2019, several women brought accusations against Patrick Bruel to the attention of the courts, and relating to alleged acts of aggression which would have taken place between 2000 and 2019. Le Figaro followed the thread of this affair, this Saturday, May 30. The events mainly took place during massage sessions in hotel rooms or private spa areas, sometimes as part of meetings organized before or after concerts. Several masseuses had described repeated requests concerning intimate areas, as well as situations where, according to them, the singer refused to cover himself completely during treatment, explaining that he “too hot”. They also reported comments made during the sessions, such as “I really like it when you come by”or even exchanges that they say they experienced as pressure: “I trust you, you say absolutely nothing about what happened, it remains our secret”he would have declared according to a complainant. Some did not hide the fact that they were destabilized by these types of remarks, made in a professional setting, where they clearly had no place.

Patrick Bruel accused by masseuses: he pleaded gestures “mal interprétés”

These reports led to the opening of investigations and the summoning of the artist for interrogation. Heard by the investigators, he contested all the accusations, rejecting any sexual intent or inappropriate behavior. In this context, he provided a first explanation on the gestures mentioned at the inter-gluteal level, ensuring in particular: “I had to say to press hard on the piriformis, it’s a muscle in the buttock that is very painful.” Throughout the procedure, Patrick Bruel had firmly denied the alleged facts, asserting: “That’s not how I work. I’m only attracted to women who have desire for me.” L’interprète de Place des Grands Hommes had refuted all accusations of coercion or inappropriate behavior, adding that he had “never imposed anything on anyone, neither by gestures nor by words”. An assertion recently reiterated on social networks this time, after the complaint filed against it by the 51-year-old host, Flavie Flament, on May 15.

Saying “stunned” through the succession of testimonies, he then insisted on the absence of antecedents in “40 years of career”. He then maintained that the situations mentioned were part of in a professional massage setting, without sexual dimension, therefore contesting the version of the complainants. According to Amanda Sthers’ former companion, the actions she was accused of were simply misinterpreted…

Patrick Bruel accused by masseuses: how did he justify the numerous testimonies?

Faced with the multiplication of accusationsPatrick Bruel had also put forward an explanation, in order to justify the obvious resemblance of the stories. He mentioned a possible dynamic between complainants “linked to female solidarity? I don’t know.” An explanation formulated when several women, unrelated to each other, had described similar facts over nearly twenty years and in different places. The complaints were dismissed in 2020 due to insufficient evidence. Since then, numerous new procedures have been relaunched, and the singer’s career is threatened. Patrick Bruel left The Bastardshis record company paused all artistic promotion, and certain concert dates were ultimately canceled. To be continued.