Adèle Haenel is one of the best actresses in the world, hands down. And she’s honed her talent over the last two decades, appearing in dozens of films, including her breakout role in 2006’s “Water Lilies.” Unfortunately, much like many other young actresses, during those early years, she allegedly found herself in a variety of terrible, sexual misconduct incidents with a much older person.
The actress recently spoke up to the French outlet Mediapart (via Deadline) about a series of sexual harassment and misconduct incidents that occurred during the time of 2002 and 2004 between herself and director Christophe Ruggia, when the actress was between the ages of 12 and 14.
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Haenel alleges that Ruggia, who cast her in the 2002 film “The Devils,” subjected her to “permanent sexual harassment”, including “touching [on the] thighs and torso”, and “forced kisses on the neck,” during the production and release of the film. Haenel says that she was inspired to share her story by the recent documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which chronicled multiple men’s stories about how superstar Michael Jackson allegedly sexually assaulted them when they were young boys.
However, as you might expect, Ruggia denies the “slanderous” allegations. He said that Haenel and himself shared a “professional and affectionate relationship.”
The report claims to have evidence of documents and “love letters” sent by Ruggia to Haenel, as well as interviews with over 30 people connected to both parties that corroborate the actress’ account of the incidents. The Mediapart investigation apparently took six months to complete.
The actress says that she’s coming forward now “not to burn Christophe Ruggia…[but] to put the world back in the right direction… [and] that this exploitation of children, of women cease.”
Haenel was recently seen in the upcoming Oscar contender “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” as well as the festival standout “Deerskin.”
