Zahia Dehar

Zahia Dehar
Dehar in 2016
Born (1992-02-25) 25 February 1992 (age 32)
Ghriss, Algeria
NationalityAlgerian
Occupation(s)Fashion and lingerie designer,[1] model, actress, former escort
Years active2010–present
Websitewww.zahia.com

Zahia Dehar (born 25 February 1992) is an Algerian-French model, actress and former sex worker.

Dehar is best known for having been involved in a sex scandal involving footballers at a time when she was an underage escort.[2][3]

Early life

[edit]

Zahia Dehar was born in Ghriss, Algeria, on 25 February 1992.[2] She moved to Champigny-sur-Marne, France with her mother and younger sister at the age of 10. She entered into prostitution at the age of sixteen,[2] and was successful in high-end prostitution, earning up to €20,000 per month at the rate of €1,000 or €2,000 a time.[4]

Her father, Hacène Dehar, still lives in Algeria. He has refused any form of contact with his daughter since the prostitution allegations appeared.[5]

Sex scandal

[edit]

In 2009, Dehar, who was then 16 or 17, was allegedly paid for sex by Franck Ribéry and Karim Benzema, who were players on the France national football team.[6] The age of consent in France is 16, but prostitution was legal at the time only if the worker was over the age of 18.[7]

The case started to come to light during an investigation by the Brigade de répression du proxénétisme into the activities of Abousofiane Moustaid, also known as "Abou Sofiane", a former contestant on Nouvelle Star who became the host of a celebrity show on the TNT channel.[8] The authorities were particularly interested in the Zaman Café, a Parisian bar, part of whose turnover came from prostitution. After the administrative closure of the establishment, the police officers questioned the prostitutes who worked there. They discovered that one of them, Zahia Dehar, started to work there while she was still a minor, and had also served several footballers.[9][10] The young woman claimed to have met Karim Benzema in May 2008 on the sidelines of the Trophées UNFP du football ceremony, and to have met Franck Ribéry on 7 April 2009, in a hotel in Munich where she and another escort had been sent to join the footballer, as a "birthday present" for the latter.[9][11] Zahia Dehar was interviewed three times in April 2010.

The investigation became public in 2010, just before the French team participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The then-current French national team manager Raymond Domenech cited Benzema's struggle for form with his new club Real Madrid rather than his alleged involvement in the sex scandal as his reason for excluding the striker from the squad.[12]

In July 2010, Ribéry and Benzema were indicted for "solicitation of minor prostitute",[10] an offence punishable in France by up to three years in prison and a €45,000 fine.[6][13] Another member of the team, Sidney Govou, was also interviewed; however, he avoided prosecution as the investigation revealed that his meeting with Zahia took place after she had reached the age of maturity.[14]

The mediatization of Dehar started from this case. Very quickly, her face was revealed by the media, and many photos of her circulated on the web, making the young woman a real "Internet phenomenon". Le Monde initially revealed her name, simply calling her "Zahia D."[4][15] In May 2010, she gave an interview to Paris Match, which revealed her full name. She gave her version of the case and declared, among other things, "I consider myself an escort, but not a prostitute" (providing support services without having sex with the client), and denied having a pimp or belonging to a network.[4]

The case continued until the mid-2010s. In late 2011, the Paris prosecutor asked for a dismissal for Ribéry and Benzema;[1][16] but in August 2012, nine people were sent back by the investigating judge to the criminal court, including Benzema and Ribéry for "solicitation of minor prostitute".[17][18]

On 31 January 2014, Benzema and Ribéry were acquitted by the criminal court of Paris, the court saying they were unaware that Zahia was under age.[19] Five other suspects, including Abou Sofiane, who acted as a "matchmaker" between the young woman and footballers, were convicted for procuring.[20] Abou Sofiane appealed and published a book in which he claimed his innocence and accused Dehar of having taken advantage of his address book.[21] In June 2015, the Court of Appeal confirmed his conviction and he received a heavier sentence.[22]

Dehar's involvement in the scandal and other acts, such as posting indiscreet photos on Twitter, have earned her the nickname la scandaleuse ("the scandalous one") in the French press.[2]

Post-2010

[edit]

Dehar achieved celebrity status as a result of the scandal. She capitalized on her fame by modelling for various artists such as Pierre et Gilles[23] and Karl Lagerfeld,[24] and became a fashion and lingerie designer.[2][25]

Modelling

[edit]

In February 2011, the American and Spanish editions of V Magazine[26] published a twelve-page tribute to Brigitte Bardot,[27] It included several photos of Dehar shot in New York, marking her return in the media.[28] To publicise her modelling a website[29] was officially launched on 1 March 2011.

In late May 2011, photographer and director Greg Williams featured Dehar in a futuristic short film entitled Bionic.[30] The following month, Pierre et Gilles created a painting representing her as Eve.[31] "An artistic and friendly thunderbolt was born our new Eve. Dehar: magical beautiful, innocent and luminous, she is the dream model" declared the two artists about this piece.[32] In August 2011, Alix Malka photographed Dehar for the Italian edition of the American fashion magazine Vanity Fair,[33] which also contained an interview with Dehar.[34]

In the last quarter of 2011, her appearances in the media were less common, although she was photographed with Christian Louboutin and Farida Khelfa,[35][36] at a shoe exhibition at the Galerie du Passage in November 2011. A few months later, Pierre Passebon produced a lingerie exhibition "Zahia de 5 à 7",[37][38] which had the effect of re-kindling interest in her by the press.[39]

After a brief eclipse, Dehar experienced a resurgence of media exposure at the beginning of 2012: a new series of photographs, shot by Karl Lagerfeld in January 2012,[40] was published just after her first lingerie show.[41] She was photographed by Ali Mahdavi, artistic director of the Crazy Horse, in February for an article that Françoise-Marie Santucci[42] wrote about Dehar in Libération "Next".[43] Then the same month, Isabelle Adjani announced her intention to produce a documentary about Dehar,[44] in collaboration with Farida Khelfa.[45]

Another series of photos was shot by photographer Ellen von Unwerth after Dehar's second lingerie show in July 2012.[46]

In December 2013, Dehar returned to the lens of Alix Malka for the Magazine 7 Hollywood, published on the 15th of the month.[47]

From 8 April to 27 September 2014, Pierre et Gilles exhibition, at the Galerie des Gobelins (Paris), an exhibit of an envelope richly adorned with a portrait of Dehar, was specially made for the occasion.[48][49]

A resolute vegetarian, she became one of PETA's European "muses" in June 2015, posing for musician and photographer Bryan Adams in a campaign entitled "Have a heart, become a vegetarian".[50][51]

In November 2015, a few hours before the attacks in Paris, the artists Pierre et Gilles published on their Facebook account a photo taken a few months ago, Dehar posing as Marianne. This photograph was used on social networks as a response to the terrorist acts that occurred on that evening.[52]

Lingerie

[edit]

In 2010, several brands were registered with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), including: Zahia, Zahia Dehar, Pretty Zahia,[53] Zahiadora, Zahiadise and A dream by Zahia.[54] The name Zahia and several derived words are thus claimed as private property, for several sectors of activity[55] such as massage oils, cosmetics, travel bags, jewellery, condoms, and the production of films and broadcasts.[53][56] (Most of these brand names, according to the official website of the EUIPO, are not in use.)

The first presentation of her lingerie collection,[57] "ligne de tenues d'intérieur légères, raffinées",[58] which was mostly trendy pink,[59] was on 25 January 2012[60] at the Palais de Chaillot during the French fashion week, in the presence of many professionals of fashion.[61] Dehar herself closed the half-naked parade in the traditional[62] tulle wedding dress decorated with cherry blossom petals, and embroidered with Swarovski rhinestones. A second collection was presented a few months after.[63]

The launch of the two lingerie collections[64] was funded by First Mark Investments, an investment fund based in Hong Kong[65][66] that supports young designers.[67]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2016 Joséphine, Pregnant & Fabulous Lola
2019 An Easy Girl Sofia
2023 Escort Boys S1/E4
2023 Drag Race France Herself Guest judge Season 2
Episode: "It's Show Night"[68]

See Also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "French prosecutors accept that Ribery did not know prostitute was a minor". France 24. 19 November 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e Rebecca Benhamou (5 March 2013). "France's Courtesan Couture: Zahia Dehar - Newsweek and The Daily Beast". Thedailybeast.com. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  3. ^ Dancourt, Anne-Charlotte (21 November 2017). "Zahia explique pourquoi elle a commencé à se prostituer à 16 ans" [Zahia explains why she started prostitution at 16]. leparisien.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Davet, Gérard (21 April 2010). "Affaire Ribéry : ce qu'a dit Zahia D. à la police". Le Monde.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  5. ^ Salmon, Ludivine (5 August 2010). "Zahia: la vraie histoire d'une gamine de banlieue". VSD No 1719.
  6. ^ a b Angelique Chrisafis in Paris (13 February 2013). "France international under suspicion of soliciting underage prostitute | Football | guardian.co.uk". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  7. ^ "Top French footballer linked to under-age prostitution probe | Football - News | NDTVSports.com". Sports.ndtv.com. Agence France-Presse. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  8. ^ Saulnier, Julie (20 January 2014). "Procès Zahia: Abou, l'homme assoiffé de notoriété derrière le scandale". LExpress.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  9. ^ a b "L'enquête démarre au Zaman Café". Le Parisien. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  10. ^ a b "Affaire Zahia : Ribéry et Benzema mis en examen pour". Le Monde.fr (in French). 20 July 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  11. ^ Bloudy, Michèle (3 May 2010). "Exclusif Zahia. L'interview Integrale". Paris Match (in French). Archived from the original on 5 May 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  12. ^ Petrequin, Samuel (11 May 2010). "Benzema left out of France's World Cup squad". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 May 2010.
  13. ^ "Article 225-12-& du Code pénal". www.legifrance.gouv.fr. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  14. ^ Quintin, Emmanuel (20 July 2010). "Ribéry et Benzema mis en examen - Equipe de France - Football". Sport24 (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  15. ^ Glad, Vincent (23 April 2010). "Zahia D., le nouveau coup de boule de Zidane". Slate.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  16. ^ "Affaire Zahia: Un non lieu requis pour Ribéry et Benzema". ParisMatch.com (in French). 14 November 2011. Archived from the original on 23 November 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  17. ^ Boutry, Thimotée (15 August 2012). "Affaire Zahia : Benzema et Ribéry seront jugés". Le Parisien (in French).
  18. ^ Monnin, Isabelle (23 August 2012). "La poisse de Baby Scarface". Le Nouvel Observateur.
  19. ^ "Affaire Zahia : Franck Ribéry et Karim Benzema relaxés". Le Monde.fr (in French). 30 January 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  20. ^ "VIDEOS. Procès Zahia : Ribéry et Benzema peuvent "enfin passer à autre chose"". Le Parisien (in French). 30 January 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  21. ^ Catroux, Sebastien (13 May 2015). "Zahia: un livre dénombre ses conquêtes - Gala". Gala.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  22. ^ "Affaire Zahia: Abou Sofiane condamné à de la prison ferme - Gala". Gala.fr (in French). 17 June 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  23. ^ « Photo - Zahia, nouvelle Eve pour Pierre & Gilles » Gala, 23 June 2011
  24. ^ Margaret Alwan, Zahia photographiée par Karl Lagerfeld L'Express, 18 January 2012
  25. ^ Renaud Revel, Zahia se lance dans la lingerie, L'Express, 5 January 2012
  26. ^ "The chronicles of Zahia". V Magazine. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  27. ^ "Zahia : mêmes courbes, mais nouvelle vie". www.news-de-stars.com (in French). 25 February 2011. Archived from the original on 28 February 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  28. ^ Revel, Renaud (25 February 2011). "Zahia, les nouvelles photos exclusives". LExpress.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  29. ^ "Zahia lance son site Internet". LExpress.fr (in French). 7 March 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  30. ^ McGarr, Rob (25 February 2011). "Exclusive! Weird and sexy Zahia Dehar video". winit.fhm.com (in French). FHM. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  31. ^ "Zahia nue, la nouvelle Eve vue par Pierre & Gilles » Menly". Menly.fr. 22 June 2011. Archived from the original on 22 December 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  32. ^ Costey, Laure (23 June 2011). "Photo - Zahia, nouvelle Eve pour Pierre & Gilles - Gala". Gala.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 26 June 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  33. ^ "Zahia pose pour le célèbre magazine Vanity Fair". ladepeche.fr (in French). 16 August 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  34. ^ "Zahia dément son mariage et revient sur le scandale des Bleus - Voici". Voici.fr (in French). 10 August 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  35. ^ "Zahia Dehar très copine avec Christian Louboutin - Voici". Voici.fr (in French). 22 November 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  36. ^ "Zahia: Elle s'invite à la soirée de Christian Louboutin". www.news-de-stars.com. 22 November 2011. Archived from the original on 26 November 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  37. ^ "Zahia Artiste". Evene.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  38. ^ "Zahia, "un exemple parfait de marketing"". La Parisienne (in French). 29 January 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  39. ^ Dutour, Edouard (16 December 2011). "Le mystère Zahia". Elle.
  40. ^ Alwan, Margaret (18 January 2012). "Zahia photographiée par Karl Lagerfeld". LExpress.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  41. ^ Mandel, Elodie (25 January 2012). "Karl Lagerfeld "Zahia incarne une tradition très française de la galanterie" - Mode - Plurielles.fr". Plurielles.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  42. ^ David Bailly, "Françoise-Marie Santucci: la nouvelle Elle", O, supplement vol. to L'Obs, no. 1, December 2014, p. 84 to 89: "[…] whose main media coup, until then, had been to propel Zahia on the cover of Next. [...] Santucci takes his pen, embroidering in a river article a Barthian mythology around Zahia."
  43. ^ Santucci, Françoise-Marie (7 February 2012). "Les 1001 vies de Zahia". Libération.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  44. ^ Intravaia, Ludmilla (15 February 2012). "Isabelle Adjani, "dans le camp" des fans de Zahia - People - TF1 News". TFI News. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  45. ^ "Le coup de cœur d'Isabelle Adjani pour Zahia - Gala". Gala.fr. 15 February 2012. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  46. ^ Chatrier, Marie-France (5 July 2012). "Les dessous chics de Zahia". Paris Match.
  47. ^ "VIDÉO - Zahia très sexy dans le magazine 7 Hollywood – metronews". Metro News (in French). 13 March 2014. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  48. ^ "Expositions / Actualités". Mobilier national. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  49. ^ Noblesse, Franck (26 October 2014). "Zahia fait scandale à la FIAC". Franceinfo (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  50. ^ "Zahia Dehar pose nue pour la PETA". LExpress.fr (in French). 15 June 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  51. ^ "Zahia nue pour PETA : une bonne nouvelle pour les animaux, pas pour les femmes," metronews, 16 June 2015.
  52. ^ Gausserand, Hugo-Pierre (25 November 2015). "Zahia en Marianne par Pierre et Gilles en réponse au terrorisme". FIGARO (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  53. ^ a b Vely, Yannick (22 December 2010). "Zahia s'apprête à lancer sa marque de lingerie - ParisMatch.com". Paris Match. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  54. ^ "Zahia se lance dans la lingerie coquine - Elle". elle.fr (in French). 23 December 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  55. ^ Kupferman, Pierre (23 December 2010). "Bientôt des petites culottes signées Zahia Dehar ?". La Tribune (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  56. ^ "Zahia, femme d'affaires ?". Le Parisien (in French). 24 December 2010. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  57. ^ Laurelli, Mathilde (26 January 2012). "Zahia Dehar, son défilé de lingerie en images". LExpress.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  58. ^ "Zahia : l'ex-escort girl lance sa ligne de lingerie - Elle". elle.fr (in French). 6 January 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  59. ^ Bonnefous, Bastien (4 February 2012). "J'y étais au défilé de mademoiselle Zahia - M Magazine". Le Monde.fr. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  60. ^ "Zahia s'invite en off durant la semaine de la couture - Fashion Dailynews" (in French). 7 March 2012. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  61. ^ Revel, Renaud (5 January 2012). "Zahia se lance dans la lingerie". LExpress.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  62. ^ "Zahia Couture: coup de génie ou coeur d'ingénue? | Le boulevardier | Blog L'Express Styles". blogs.lexpress.fr. 26 January 2012. Archived from the original on 3 February 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  63. ^ Ghys, Clément (3 July 2012). "Zahia dans de beau linge". Libération.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  64. ^ "Zahia en mode hot couture". Le Point (in French). 3 July 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  65. ^ Catalano, Géraldine (8 February 2012). "Et Zahia fit dans la dentelle". LExpress.fr (in French). Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  66. ^ "La Griffe Zahia". First Mark. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  67. ^ "L'ancienne call girl Zahia crée sa marque d elingerie - leJDD.fr". www.lejdd.fr. 23 January 2012. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014.
  68. ^ "Drag Race France saison 2 : qui a été éliminée ce vendredi 7 juillet ?". Programme-tv.net. 7 July 2023. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014.
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