Former Miss France Iris Mittenaere has filed a domestic violence complaint against her ex-partner, while TV host Stéphane Plaza faces allegations from multiple women, with his trial delayed to January 2025. The entertainment industry is grappling with increasing reports of violence against women, highlighted by Judith Godrèche’s accusations against two directors. Recently, actor Thomas Scimeca has been accused of psychological and sexual violence by seven women, including allegations of harassment and attempted rape, which he vehemently denies.
In recent weeks, former Miss France Iris Mittenaere has taken significant steps by filing a domestic violence complaint against her ex-partner. Meanwhile, TV host Stéphane Plaza finds himself embroiled in controversy as multiple women have also accused him of similar violations. Originally set for last month, his trial has now been postponed until January 2025. This trend of violence against women, encompassing physical, verbal, and sexual forms, seems to be increasingly exposed within the entertainment industry, with notable cases emerging in both television and cinema.
Actress Judith Godrèche has emerged as a prominent figure in this movement after sharing her own experiences nearly a year ago. She accused two directors of abusing her during her youth, prompting other well-known women to come forward with their stories. Some have even offered alarming details regarding allegations against other media personalities, such as Nicolas Bedos, who faced trial for sexual assault last month.
Emergence of New Complaints
Now, actor Thomas Scimeca finds himself facing serious accusations. Reports from Mediapart reveal that seven women have come forward with claims against him for ‘psychological violence in relationships, as well as for sexual violence’. Two of these women have formally filed complaints. One accuser, actress Jeanne Faucher, recounts an attempted rape that occurred in 2015 when she was just 22. According to her, Scimeca allegedly behaved ‘inappropriately’, disregarding her ‘explicit refusal’ and purportedly ‘imposing’ unwanted sexual acts.
The second complaint comes from actress Solène Rigot, who alleges ‘psychological violence’ and ‘mental manipulation and moral control’, along with harassment following their breakup. Additionally, five other women have shared their experiences with Mediapart, each indicating they encountered ‘consensual sexual encounters followed by’ instances of psychological harm. They also mention a troubling pattern where Scimeca allegedly insisted on avoiding the use of condoms during these interactions. Scimeca denies all accusations, asserting that he has been a victim of ‘unfounded rumors’ and emphasizing that ‘the facts as stated are far removed from reality’. He has expressed his willingness to clarify his side in court if given the chance. As of now, no formal investigation has been launched regarding these claims.
Career Highlights
This situation poses a potential threat to Scimeca’s career, which began in 2003. That year marked the release of his debut in a range of short films, including a role in Nicolas Miard’s Trois jeunes tambours. Eleven years later, he featured in his first major film, Fidelio, l’odyssée d’Alice directed by Lucie Borleteau. Over the years, Scimeca has appeared in various notable productions, such as Larguées by Éloïse Lang, La Belle Époque by Nicolas Bedos, and Azuro by Matthieu Rozé.
Thomas Scimeca has also showcased his talents in television, taking roles in series like Le Flambeau: Les Aventuriers de Chupacabra and contributing to the fourth season of HPI, where he starred alongside Audrey Fleurot as Fred Prigent. The latest episodes of this series recently aired on TF1.