From January 14 to 20, 2025, the Les Enfoirés troupe performed at the Sud de France Arena, raising funds for Restos du cœur with seven shows featuring various artists. Notably absent was Slimane, whose ongoing legal issues fueled speculation about his exclusion. However, the organization clarified that his absence was due to a scheduling conflict, not linked to his controversies. Slimane remains focused on his international tour following his success at Eurovision 2024.
Les Enfoirés 2025: A Star-Studded Event
From January 14 to January 20, the renowned troupe Les Enfoirés took the stage at the Sud de France Arena in Montpellier for their highly-anticipated annual show. This event aims to raise significant funds for the Restos du cœur association, and this year, they performed seven incredible shows in front of thousands of enthusiastic attendees. Fans witnessed a plethora of artists and celebrities unite to lend their voices to this noble cause. While the lineup for the 2025 edition introduced some exciting newcomers, the absence of beloved singer Slimane raised eyebrows.
Understanding Slimane’s Absence
Slimane’s absence has been the center of speculation, particularly amid ongoing allegations of harassment and sexual assault against him. Although a preliminary investigation into these accusations is underway, Slimane has not yet been interviewed by authorities. Despite the controversy, he remains active and is gearing up for an international tour shortly. Historically close to the Les Enfoirés family, he has opted not to publicly address his absence from this year’s show.
The chatter on social media has intensified, linking Slimane’s legal issues to his non-participation in Les Enfoirés 2025. According to sources, the show’s organizers may have decided to keep him away to avert potential protests or disruption during performances. An insider mentioned, “It was a tough call. Having him at Les Enfoirés could lead to protests outside the venue and negative reactions during his performance. It was deemed too risky.”
However, the official explanation provided by Patrice Douret, president of Restos du cœur, offers a more straightforward narrative. On January 19, 2025, during one of the performances, Douret clarified that Slimane’s absence was not linked to his legal battles. Instead, he indicated that Slimane had communicated a scheduling conflict that prevented him from participating this year. “When you’re on a tour right after completing another, it’s simply not feasible to be here,” Douret noted. He further explained that Slimane’s absence, like that of other regular attendees, had been planned well in advance.
Douret emphasized that the main factor for participation in Les Enfoirés is the artists’ availability. He confirmed that there was never any consideration to exclude Slimane for alternative reasons. “The question didn’t even arise,” he stated, adding that they were informed months ago about his unavailability, as early as the previous spring. Slimane is currently focused on his personal projects, including his upcoming international tour following his success at Eurovision 2024.