“This is going too far, friends! Please, I have a family, be lenient and respectful, at least for them,” implores Nico Capone, the social media star on his accounts. Less than 24 hours before the broadcast of the first evening of season 13 of “Dancing with the Stars”, this Friday evening on TF1, the candidate followed by 27.7 million subscribers on TikTok has already had to face a wave of online hatred. In question ? His build which earned him numerous grossophobic insults. Messages posted under the various publications on the front page or the “Dancing with the Stars” account, particularly on Instagram. Criticizing his weight, ironic about his participation in a dance competition but also pointing out his illegitimate presence according to them in this very physical challenge, hundreds of posts have accumulated since the announcement of his name.
From the presentation conference of “Dancing with the Stars”, on January 25, TF1 had to face a flood of messages against Nico Capone, who had already participated in the show “Mask Singer”. And the channel has decided to block comments on stories and publications from its official TikTok accounts and those of the program. “We have set up a monitoring system called Bodyguard, to avoid any overflows on all content for several years. It allows us to set up alerts and moderation,” explains the private channel.
Some personalities have wet their shirts to also defend the 33-year-old Swiss YouTuber. Inès Vandamme, his partner in the show, even got carried away on Instagram. The dancer responded sharply to an Internet user who accused the program of advocating “the culture of emptiness and poor health”. “But soooo! What is the point of writing this comment? The culture of emptiness? Do you know anything about it? Have you ever spoken to him? You create an image for yourself based on social networks. Advocating poor health? I eat with him every lunchtime, he has the most balanced plate on the table! Never snack! You are neither in people’s lives nor in people’s bodies. So, learn respect,” she says.
“I see too many people judging so harshly in the comments… can’t wait for Nico to close a few flaps”
Nico Capone’s wife, with whom he performs his sketches on social networks, also stands up to his other half “Look forward to seeing you my heart, I know you will give everything. No matter the result, the important thing is the message you want to send,” commented Daniella Pinto, mother of a little boy born in 2019. Nico Capone also received support from some of his competitors in the game “You’re going to tear everything up,” predicts Cristina Cordula. ” The best ! Go go go,” continues Diane Leyre, Miss France 2022, also competing in the ballroom dance competition. He can also count on the comfort of another 2.0 personality of choice. “I see too many people judging so harshly in the comments… can’t wait for Nico to close a few flaps,” predicts Juju Fitcats, followed by 3.3 million subscribers on Instagram.
Legally, what risk do Internet users who fuel digital hate “raids” face? “Theoretically, cyberharassment is punishable in law by the Penal Code as harassment itself,” explains lawyer Violaine De Filippis Abate, engaged in the law against this scourge and spokesperson for “Dare to Feminism”. Being in a pack of stalkers does not exempt an individual who has sent even a single message. But unfortunately in practice, investigations remain rare or poorly provided after complaints are filed.” And added: “people let loose on social networks and unfortunately fatphobia is massively present. They catalyze hatred of individuals against each other”
This is not the first time that TF1 has had to deal with such grossophobic remarks. In the last season of “Star Academy”, the young Clara, 22, who assumed her forms, had to face tons of insults. “I love my body, for me, I am like that, I feel very good like that, I wouldn’t change for anything in the world,” she reacted. Even today, I fight every day and that’s also why I’m here. »