Reality TV is rocked by cases of sexual violence that would be covered by productions. Alix Desmoineaux, former candidate, speaks to bring down this system.
On February 4, 2022, W9 announced the de-scheduling of the dating reality show The Princes and Princesses of Love.
Contacted by 20 Minutes, W9 explains that the decision was taken due to insufficient audiences. The show found itself at the center of questions related to cases of gender-based and sexual violence by candidates against young women participating in this show. At the origin of these courageous denunciations, Alix Desmoineaux in particular.
The young woman participated in several filming such as The villa of broken hearts or Les Marseillais, before stopping her participation in March 2021.
She denounces productions which, alerted to the actions of certain candidates, do nothing to act: “I alerted two productions. On the set, the nannies [celles qui s’occupent des candidats, ndlr] had been instructed to be more vigilant”precise Alix Desmoineaux during an interview with Télérama in November 2021. She agreed to talk to Aufeminin about it.
“The daughters of the Angels denounce and it goes nowhere”
She thus recounts that a candidate, accused by three girls of acts of sexual violence, was not worried. “EllThey went to complain to the production and its agents, and what happened? We still put him back on shows, he still got product placements and he even harassed them on social media.”
What Alix denounces is also the lack of consideration that these cases receive: “As we are considered to be reality TV gogols, only the specialized reality TV media are interested in us and it does not go any further. The girls of the Angels publicly denounce things, and it goes nowhere! However, the Anges have already been convicted in the past for acts of harassment that went to court.”
A system where “when you complain, you are told that you are looking for it”
In reality TV in France, two shows reign supreme: The Princes and Princesses of Love, and Les Marseillais, explains Alix. “When you are a good candidate in this environment, we sign contracts for two or three shows in a row, so you can’t refuse certain shows.” However, the productions know it and play on it.
The manipulations seem to be done at several scales: “In this environment, there is abuse of trust: the agents present themselves as mothers for young people who do not necessarily have super stable family references and then these agents take advantage of their weaknesses. Then, when you you’re sorry, we tell you that you’re looking for it. What revolts me in all this is that it’s been going on for years and that if it’s possible that candidates allow themselves this kind of thing, it’s only because a whole system protects them around.”
A system that protects attackers
Alix Desmoineaux is now out of this ecosystem. “Me, I slammed the door when I was at the top, and I know why I did it. Today productions, agencies exploit women and protect aggressors. Channel managers are very aware of all the gossip and ignore it”, she says. She also denounces the fact that the alleged attackers are then invited on TV sets to defend themselves from the charges.
Alex continues: “I did not intend to make a controversy at the base, I came to talk about my book. I just answered the question of why I had stopped TV. Women had already denounced and named people before me. These people there, they have to fall. The problem is that if we don’t say anything, the system will continue, with a serious impact on the younger generations. Afterwards young girls come, thinking of becoming stars and we say to them ” Ah, you got mugged? But it doesn’t matter, it’s TV!”
A culture of rape where “nothing is serious anymore”
Alix’s objective is clear: to free speech, to bring down this system which acts on candidates by blackmail.
“I know that some, seeing what we get after, do not dare to speak, others do not dare to file a complaint for fear that their complaint will not be taken into account and not be taken on the next In addition, the agents have a psychological hold on you and manipulate you by putting pressure on you, or by saying that the facts are not serious, like “it’s just a boy who jerked off on you, It’s okay”. The culture of rape, it is so advanced that now there is nothing that is serious in fact. Similarly, girls who complain are said to be “a bit crazy”. But they are far from crazy, they are traumatized.”, analyzes the young woman.
She concludes by emphasizing the importance of this fight: “I’m not Superman, I’m not going to change the world tomorrow but I think that in fact, by all fighting a little we make things happen. That’s how today we women have the right to put on pants and go and vote, because people have fought battles that seemed stupid and created a lot of frustration for them, between the force you put into it and the results you get. people become aware that something is happening, and that it is changing.”
Missions: Mathilde is an expert in subjects related to women’s rights and health. Addicted to Instagram and Twitter, never stingy with a good …