French singer and actor Patrick Bruel has been charged with rape and sexual assault in one of the largest #MeToo cases to emerge from the French music industry. The 67-year-old pop icon, whose career skyrocketed in the 1990s, denies all allegations.
Formal Investigation and Charges
Bruel was placed under formal investigation for four cases, including alleged rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. In four other cases, he was designated as an “assisted witness,” a step short of indictment, for allegations including rape and attempted rape.
The Nanterre prosecutor’s office stated that Bruel was questioned on Wednesday regarding cases involving nine alleged victims between 2000 and 2019. Complaints from 13 additional women, accusing him of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment from 1992 to 2008, were added to the file handed to investigating magistrates, even though they “appeared to be beyond the statute of limitations at this stage.”
Denial and Bail
Bruel’s lawyers confirmed that he denies all charges. The singer was released on bail in the early hours of Thursday.
Career and Public Image
Bruel’s pop career took off in the 1990s with several top-selling albums. His face frequently appeared on teen magazine covers, and his devoted fans were described as experiencing “bruelmania.” At the height of his fame, French media often admiringly called him a “seducer” or “Don Juan.” He acted in dozens of films and briefly became a world poker champion in 1998, remaining a regular on TV talk shows.
Allegations and Protests
In recent months, investigative website Mediapart and magazine Elle published a series of accusations against Bruel, some detailing alleged assaults dating back to the 1990s. Despite denying all allegations of violence, brutality, or constraint, Bruel faced protests from feminist campaigners. Mayors of major cities like Marseille, Paris, and Nancy urged him to cancel his concerts, leading him to call off his tour.
Bruel attended a police station by appointment earlier this week and was charged Wednesday night after hours of questioning by judges.
Notable Accuser
Among the women who spoke out is Daniela Elstner, current director of Unifrance, a key cultural institution promoting French cinema abroad. Separately, lawyer Myriam Guedj Benayoun filed a new complaint for the alleged attempted rape of a 19-year-old woman at Bruel’s home in 2000. The woman, now a 46-year-old actor, had participated in filming a music video with Bruel. His lawyers deny all allegations.
Context of #MeToo in France
Bruel is the latest French celebrity to face sexual assault claims. Actor Gérard Depardieu, 76, received an 18-month suspended sentence last year for sexually assaulting two women during the filming of Les Volets Verts in 2021. His name was added to the sex offender register. Depardieu’s appeal is set for November, and he is also ordered to stand trial for raping and sexually assaulting actor Charlotte Arnould in 2018. He denies all charges.
