A preliminary investigation targeting Patrick Bruel has been opened by the Paris prosecutor's office following the filing of a complaint on March 12 for attempted rape and sexual assault. The complainant, Daniela Elstner, the current general director of Unifrance, accuses the artist of incidents dating back to 1997, during the French Film Festival in Acapulco.
According to her lawyer, this step responds to both a personal need for “liberation” and a desire to bring the truth to light. The investigation has been handed over to the judicial police.
Additionally, another procedure is underway in Saint-Malo, following a complaint for rape concerning alleged incidents from 2012. The artist firmly contests all the allegations, insisting that he has “never forced anyone”.
Huit femmes mettent en cause dans @Mediapart le comportement de Patrick Bruel entre 1992 et 2019.
— Antton Rouget (@AnttonRouget) March 18, 2026
L’une était mineure au moment de l’agression sexuelle qu’elle dénonce. Deux ont porté plainte, l’une pour viol, l’autre pour tentative de viol.👇https://t.co/AfPHA6MTaf
A wave of testimonies after Mediapart's revelations
This new investigation comes in a already heavy context. In March, a Mediapart investigation revealed the testimonies of eight women accusing Patrick Bruel of sexual violence between 1992 and 2019.
Since then, the magazine Elle has published new accounts: four additional women are denouncing incidents of sexual assault or rape. Some have filed complaints, increasing the number of procedures both in France and abroad, particularly in Belgium.
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Among these testimonials, there's one from a young woman claiming she was assaulted in 2015, and another from a journalist mentioning a attempted rape in the early 2000s. Former colleagues also describe inappropriate behavior in a professional setting.
The singer's lawyers are calling the allegations “impossible” and already reviewed by the justice system, reminding everyone that some past complaints were dismissed without further action.
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A Tense Tour Amidst the Mobilization of Collectives
As these accusations multiply, the impact is already being felt on Patrick Bruel's career. While on his international tour with the show Alors regarde, the artist is facing a growing mobilization of feminist collectives.
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Several actions have been taken to call for the cancellation of concerts, particularly in Switzerland and in the south of France, in Salon-de-Provence. Open letters have been sent to elected officials and organizers, condemning the artist's presence at public events.
For now, no dates have been canceled, but the pressure is rising. It certainly seems that the continuation of the tour could depend on the judicial and media developments of the case.