Christine Berrou claims to have suffered insults and humiliations from Yassine Belattar for several months while working alongside him on France 4. In a video posted on Instagram, the comedian recounts the lasting consequences of this period on her relationship with her body, her diet and her self-confidence.
A year of work marked by insults
The events recounted by Christine Berrou date back to the 2009-2010 season. The columnist had then accepted a position as a presenter on France 4, within a program in which Yassine Belattar participated. « Throughout the year I worked on France 4, in 2009-2010, with Yassine Belattar, he called me "the ugly one" or "the fat one.""That's what she says. She indicates that she already mentioned this episode during a hearing at the National Assembly. Upon recently rediscovering an old computer containing photographs taken during the summer of 2010, Christine Berrou explains that she realized the impact these remarks had had on her." "This person has been called 'fat and ugly' for a year. As a result, she barely eats anything and her priority is to be reassured by men.", she says, commenting on the photos.
"He told me I had no talent."
According to Christine Berrou, the criticism wasn't solely about her physical appearance. She also accuses Yassine Belattar of systematically belittling her professional abilities. "Yassine Belattar also told me that I had no talent and that it was lucky he was there to make me work.""That's what the comedian says. She recounts how she ended up believing this narrative. The humiliations she suffered during her childhood and adolescence may have contributed to this loss of confidence." "Since I had been belittled by my father throughout my childhood and adolescence, I thought to myself: well yes, it makes sense."she explains.
Christine Berrou asserts that this repeated devaluation gradually altered her self-perception. "For a very long time, I didn't see that girl. I saw a monster.", she confides regarding the old photographs that were found.
A "mental prison" built through a series of humiliations.
The comedian describes a mechanism of psychological manipulation in which the victim ends up adopting the negative view imposed upon her. "I saw the version told by someone with great persuasion. After a while, he didn't even need to be there anymore, since I was doing the job all by myself.""I explained," she said. She claims she tried to be discreet in the photographs, to find the best angle, and to fade into the background in favor of the women considered more beautiful according to the standards of the time. Christine Berrou believes that psychological harassment is too often minimized when it is not accompanied by physical violence. “People will tell us, ‘It’s okay, he didn’t hit you.’ But yes, it is serious, because insults will change the way we see ourselves.”she insists.
Jamel Debbouze was among those who restored his confidence
Christine Berrou explains that she managed to break free from this process thanks to several professional encounters. She specifically mentions Jamel Debbouze among those who placed their trust in her. : " My good fortune was to quickly meet wonderful people who trusted me, such as Jamel Debbouze, and who stopped the self-destructive process.”"She confides. She explains that she published this video in order to raise awareness of the consequences of repeated humiliations, especially when they are presented as simple jokes.
A warning against humiliation "under the guise of humor"
In the conclusion of her testimony, Christine Berrou sends a particularly harsh message to people who regularly belittle their relatives, colleagues or children. "I would like to say to the people who practice this kind of humiliation under the guise of humor: you are nothing but shit. You are neither funny nor relevant. You are building someone's mental prison, or even ruining their life if you are their parent.", she says.
Yassine Belattar did not publicly respond, in the documents presented, to the accusations made by Christine Berrou.
