Cyril Hanouna, the controversial host of "Touche pas à mon poste!" (TPMP), finds himself under fire once again as new revelations about his behavior surface. The investigative media outlet Mediapart has disclosed an audio recording where Hanouna makes derogatory and sexist remarks about Laury Thilleman, a former Miss France and host of the 38th Victoires de la musique awards. This incident, which occurred off-air on February 13, 2023, has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
In the leaked audio, Hanouna can be heard criticizing Thilleman's performance in harsh terms. "It’s a goat! Stop saying she’s good. It’s horrible, stop it, it’s catastrophic. Is this all we found at France Télé? It’s shameful. She’s useless. We don’t have to put a girl on. She’s useless. I’ve never seen such a nullity. I want to insult her; I can’t stand her," he said, further adding, "She has a horse face, and that’s a lot. If only she were fresh, she’s catastrophic, she’s horrible," as reported by Mediapart.
This incident is not isolated. Just days before, on the same day, Hanouna verbally attacked his colleague Matthieu Delormeau during a commercial break, threatening him with violence. "We’re not at your mother’s or father’s house here. I’m telling you once but not twice. It’s not good what you did, apologize when we go off-air. We have the same argument in the street; I’ll make you bleed. If you weren’t my friend, I swear on my mother’s head, we’d be in the street; I’d make you bleed," Hanouna was recorded saying.
On March 25, 2025, during the web program "À l’air libre," journalist David Perrotin criticized Hanouna's on-air behavior, stating that he has normalized extreme aggression and humiliation in his shows without facing any real consequences. "He’s one of the most violent, aggressive media figures, but he does it without ever being truly worried and in total impunity," Perrotin remarked, reflecting a growing concern about Hanouna's unchecked power in the media landscape.
Thilleman, who has been invited multiple times to TPMP and was even offered a position as a chronicler, declined the opportunity, citing a lack of confidence in her abilities. "I didn’t feel legitimate. I didn’t have enough flair; I wasn’t built yet," she explained in a previous interview. Despite the backlash against Hanouna, Thilleman has not publicly responded to the latest revelations.
This latest incident adds to the growing scrutiny of Hanouna's conduct, particularly as he prepares to transition to a new show on the M6 network following the closure of TPMP. Critics argue that such a move could allow him to escape the consequences of his actions, raising questions about the accountability of media figures.
The audio recording has reignited discussions about sexism in the media and the treatment of women in the industry. Observers have pointed out that Hanouna's comments reflect a broader culture of misogyny that persists in many media environments. The backlash against Hanouna may serve as a catalyst for change, prompting calls for more respectful and equitable treatment of all individuals in the public eye.
As the media landscape evolves, the revelations about Hanouna's behavior may lead to increased scrutiny of how media figures are held accountable for their actions. The public's response to these incidents could shape the future of television programming and the standards expected of those who occupy influential positions.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Cyril Hanouna and his comments about Laury Thilleman highlights ongoing issues of sexism and aggression in the media. As the industry grapples with these challenges, it remains to be seen how this will impact Hanouna's career and the broader media landscape.
