Two years after being targeted by allegations of sexual misconduct, comedian and actor Julien Lacroix announces his return by organizing the live recording of an independent podcast that will highlight his two years of sobriety.
“I really look forward to seeing you. I haven’t spoken in front of people since March 12, 2020. I’m really nervous, but excited to talk to you, ”he wrote on his private Instagram account on Tuesday, followed by 125,000 followers.
“Thank you to all those who supported me, if it’s true that it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a society to raise a drunk,” he continued, launching the sale of a limited quantity of tickets. The comedian did not respond to our request for clarification.
Remember that during a new movement of denunciations on social networks in the summer of 2020, nine women had confided to the To have to having been victims of sexual assault or misconduct by Julien Lacroix. Dumped in stride by his agency, the comedian and actor had put all his current projects on hold and left the public sphere.
In his message, Julien Lacroix specifies that it is above all to underline his two years of sobriety that he is embarking on this new podcast project today. Moreover “all profits will go to the prevention of alcoholism and drug addiction among young people”. “I know that for many of you, it may seem banal or your daily life, but I admit that on my side, since I’ve been drinking since the age of 12, it’s a great source of pride. I don’t take anything for granted, I continue my recovery but I admit that I breathe better. »
The event presented as a podcast in the form of questions and answers where “humor and confessions” will intertwine, will be held on July 12, in a Montreal room, for the moment kept secret. Only the 25 participants will get the exact address 24 hours before he goes on stage.
This public outing received a mixed reception from Quebecers on social networks. While some have shown him their love and support – proof is, his tickets sold out in just a few hours – others have rather expressed their aberration and their dissatisfaction with his return to the public sphere.
Return announced
In a video interview broadcast in full by The duty in December 2021, Julien Lacroix had already expressed his desire to reconnect with his audience, even if he had not obtained the forgiveness of the women who denounced him. “I wish that these people also get better. I wish that one day they can move on by sitting with me or without me. […] What I control is my gait. »
On Tuesday, whistleblowers declined to comment on Julien Lacroix’s announcement. However, in December, seven of them had already spoken about his first public interview and had very divided opinions. Some would have liked him to give them a written apology before considering relaunching his career. Others felt that his introspection was not complete, since he confirmed that he had not consulted specialists specifically for his sexual behavior, but only for his consumption problems.
Julien Lacroix had then indicated that he did not want to impose himself on anyone, stressing that “the advantage when you do humor is that you can rent rooms and make capsules on the Internet [mais] if we don’t want to see you, we don’t see you. I don’t impose myself on anyone. »
The artist had also discussed his personal journey and his approaches to whistleblowers. “I want to start walking with my head held high again. I was still quite humiliated and I’m ashamed, ”he argued.