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A FORMER Miss Europe beauty queen has claimed her celebrity chef ex-boyfriend headbutted her so hard it broke her nose.
In 2013, French model Alexandra Rosenfeld, now 38, claimed that Jean Imbert, a well-known head chef at several high-end restaurants in France, assaulted her.
The model also claimed that Imbert subjected her to emotional abuse in the form of “scorn” and “belittling” comments.
Imbert, 44, who shot to fame when he won the TV cooking competition Top Chef in 2012, denies the allegations.
He heads up the Michelin-starred Plaza Athenée in Paris – where he has welcomed the likes of Beyonce and Jay-Z.
The chef claims he was in fact the victim of Alexandra’s violent behaviour.
Alexandra won the Miss France competition in 2006, and was crowned Miss Europe later that year.
She is one of four women who have told Elle magazine that Imbert showed allegedly controlling behaviour while they were in relationships with him.
Their allegations add to a growing mound of claims that the French culinary industry is entrenched in sexism and violence.
Alexandra first made the allegations under a false name and gave no identifying information.
But this week, she posted a bombshell statement on Instagram along with the results of a scan reporting that her nose was broken.
The medical notes said she had suffered a “traumatism from a direct shock”.
Alexandra wrote: “Over 10 years ago, I was with someone. He headbutted me once. But strangely, that wasn’t what left a mark on me.
“The contempt, the belittling, the silences, the perfectly placed words to make me doubt myself, my worth. It was slow, insidious.
“I thought the problem was me. I stayed. Because I loved him.”
Alexandra said her relationship with Imbert because he left her for someone else.
But in January, he invited her and her family to the opening of La Forêt Secrète – a new restaurant at Disneyland Paris.
She wrote: “I was surprised, touched,” but added she suspects his intention was really to win her favour after learning of the Elle article.
Alexandra continued: “And then everything came back, this impression of being approached nicely in order to be placed in a hold.”
Imbert’s team has denied any allegations against him.
They said the headbutt happened during a “moment of violence to which Jean Imbert was subjected when he was grabbed by the wrist and freed himself.
“He profoundly regrets the consequences of this for her.”
According to the chef’s representatives, the relationship was “unstable, characterized by insults and outbursts,” and Alexandra allegedly sent offensive messages after their breakup.
They also denied the claims of jealousy and controlling behaviour made the other women in the Elle article.
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
