Nathalie Simard

Nathalie Simard
Born (1969-07-07) 7 July 1969
Île d'Orléans, Quebec, Canada
Years active 1971–2008
Associated acts René Simard

Nathalie Simard (born 7 July 1969) is a pop singer from Quebec, Canada, and the sister of performer René Simard.

Simard was born in Île d'Orléans, near Quebec City, and was discovered by producer Guy Cloutier. Her first role was in a Laura Secord pudding commercial at age 2. She also appeared on some television shows, the first being Le Village de Nathalie, a children's TV show where she wore a princess dress. She also hosted Les Mini-Stars de Nathalie.

Abuse

Simard revealed she had been sexually abused by Cloutier since 1980. She sued him and his company Productions Guy Cloutier (PGC), for more than $1.2 million, but settled out of court.[1][2] Cloutier was convicted of criminal charges in 2004 regarding this assault and that of another unidentified child.[3] He subsequently received a 3.5 year prison term.[4]

Michel Vastel's biography on Simard, Briser le Silence (Break the Silence), was published in 2005 (ISBN 978-2764802434) amid controversy. Vastel blasted Radio-Canada for continuing to work on television programs with Cloutier through his new company, Novem Communications.[5] The book also charged René Simard with mishandling his sister's finances when he was her legal guardian, and with attempting to bribe her to keep details of Cloutier's abuses from the public. René Simard responded to these claims with a news conference denying details of Vastel's account.[6]

Curtailed comeback

Simard curtailed a tour for the 2007 album Il y avait un jardin, her first album since the 1990s. She announced that she would leave the entertainment industry and move with her daughter to the Dominican Republic to escape scrutiny by the media after performing a final Montreal concert in April 2008.[7][8] The Nathalie Simard Foundation, which she established in 2005 to assist sexually abused children, was also shut down.[9] Following this cancellation, a $2.3 million lawsuit was filed against Simard and her production company in April 2008 claiming a loss of expected tour profits.[4][8] Two additional lawsuits were also active as Yves Campeau sought $38,000 while her former manager Éric Dubois sought $60,000. Both Campeau and Dubois were reportedly ex-boyfriends of Simard.[8][9]

Discography

Television

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ Wyatt, Nelson. "Quebec star Nathalie Simard sues ex-manager Guy Cloutier over sex abuse". The Recorder and Times. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  2. ↑ Gordon, Sean (21 July 2006). "Disgraced Quebec impresario paroled; Cloutier abused two youngsters Province's media transfixed by story". Toronto Star. p. A22.
  3. ↑ Intini, John (6 June 2005). "Coming out of Hiding: Former Child Star Nathalie Simard Tells of Abuse". Maclean's. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  4. 1 2 Bailey, Patricia (2008-04-21). "Song of sadness / The tragic tale of Quebec pop star Nathalie Simard". CBC News. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
  5. ↑ Jobber, Barbara (Spring 2009). "The Man Who Flipped Off Trudeau". Ryerson Review of Journalism. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  6. ↑ "Singer René Simard denies helping hide sister's abuse". CBC News. 18 November 2005. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  7. ↑ "Quebec Regional Panel / SRC re Bye Bye 2008 (CBSC Decision 08/09-0620+)". Canadian Broadcast Standards Council. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  8. 1 2 3 Ravensbergen, Jan (30 April 2008). "Simard faces new legal challenges". The Gazette (Montreal). Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  9. 1 2 Fortin, Jean-Louis (26 April 2008). "Départ de Nathalie Simard / Sa fondation ferme" (in French). Le Journal de Montréal. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  10. ↑ Chouinard, Yvon (September 2008). "Le village de Nathalie". Canadian Communications Foundation. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  11. ↑ Chouinard, Yvon (September 2008). "Les mini-stars de Nathalie". Canadian Communications Foundation. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
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