The French streaming world has been in turmoil since streamer Helydia filed a complaint against her ex-partner, Fugu, for psychological and domestic violence. While this case has already generated a lot of media attention, another name has found itself at the center of the storm: Samuel Étienne, a famous host and well-known Twitch personality.
It all began on October 17, when Helydia, whose real name is Célia, posted a heartbreaking letter on X (formerly Twitter). In it, she recounted months of violence and humiliation, claiming to have lived under control during her relationship with the streamer Fugu, aka Maxime. The latter responded in a long video, acknowledging certain wrongdoings while explaining "violent situations" linked, according to him, to a "context that had become impossible." A sequence that triggered a wave of reactions online... and an unexpected rumor.
A rumor that is spreading on social networks
In his defense video, Fugu mentions having discovered that his partner had had a relationship with a "father and married streamer" before him. This was all it took for internet users to start speculating. Very quickly, the name of Samuel Étienne, both a host of Questions for a champion and streamer followed by thousands of subscribers was cited on social networks.
Faced with this avalanche of messages, Samuel Étienne reacted firmly. "For the past 48 hours, numerous individuals have been calling me out on social media, claiming that I am the "father and married" streamer mentioned in this video. I am not that man," he wrote on X. The host added that he reserved the right to take legal action for defamation against anyone spreading this rumor.
From rumor to position
But Samuel Étienne didn't want to stop at simple denial. In the same post, he reiterated the values he upholds: "Violence within a couple is not acceptable. A man hitting a woman is not acceptable." A clear message, one that places the debate beyond the media uproar. The host was keen to distinguish the substance of the matter, the issue of domestic violence, from the noise of the networks which, according to him, distorts its meaning.
His speech was widely praised for its clarity and measured tone. By reminding us that the issue goes beyond influencer quarrels, Samuel Étienne reinforces his image as a man of conviction, keen to remind people that "love cannot, and must not, erase blows."
