The discriminatory and racist remarks made online against the two candidates of the TF1 program are the subject of two complaints. The Central Office for the Fight against Haine Crimes is seized.
Published The 24/01/2025 19:30
Reading time: 2min
The production company Endemol, which produces the Star Academy, announced Friday, January 24, having seized the public prosecutor of Paris about online racism against two black candidates from the current season, reports France Inter.
A first report was made by Endemol in December after a wave of racist and sexist hatred received by Ebony, finalist of the show which will end on Saturday. A second report was sent in January, for acts of racism against Franck, another candidate eliminated in the semi-finals. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirms to France Inter having received “two complaints denouncing discriminatory remarks made online at the damage of Ebony Cham”. The first, dating from December 26, 2024, was entrusted to the Central Office for the Fight against Haine Crimes.
An online petition to denounce these words brings together more than 5,200 signatures on Friday evening. Faced with this wave of hatred, a support committee was created to encourage Ebony, a young woman of Guadeloupe origin. The SOS Racisme association has also decided to seize justice.
Ebony has not yet been directly confronted with the public’s criticisms, because she is still in competition in the program. She had spoke in a daily program about the racism she suffers in her daily life: “I hope that little black girls have heard this message, that they do not listen to criticism, that they are proud of their skin color, that they are proud where they come from.” Like the other participants of the Star Academy, she will be accompanied when she turns her phone back on her release. Psychological support is also set up for all students, upstream, during, and after the program.
In December, TF1 and Endemol reacted on social networks to denounce “Haine comments” Towards the candidates and announced that any hatred campaign would be reported. Other students were also faced with cyberbullying with grossophobic remarks.
