Thomas Sotto Defends Léa Salamé Amid Criticism of Her New Role
Paris, France – Television personality Thomas Sotto has publicly defended colleague Léa Salamé against a wave of criticism following her recent debut as a news anchor, asserting that the controversy surrounding her performance is manufactured. Sotto’s comments,published in TV Mag on September 21,come after Salamé faced significant backlash following a September 15 appearance,especially related to questions posed during an interview and subsequent interactions with political figures Henri Guaino and Claude Guéant.
Sotto dismissed the critiques as excessive, stating, “We can love or not love, we have the right to look or not, but we have no right to smash, we have no right to lynch, we do not have the right to destroy humans.” He emphasized the need to give Salamé time to adjust to the role, adding, “You have to give her a chance, and time to get used to the exercise.” The defense underscores a growing support network for salamé, who was appointed to the position by France Télévisions president Delphine Ernotte, with the expectation she would bring a distinct voice to the broadcast.
The controversy erupted after Salamé’s interview, which many online deemed inappropriate, triggering a significant outcry on social media. Sotto and Salamé are described as “very friends” and recently discussed the situation privately, though Sotto declined to reveal details of their conversation, stating, “Because my exchanges, I keep them for myself.” He reaffirmed his “love and support” for Salamé, host of What an era!
Sotto further dismissed the notion that Salamé’s approach is problematic, stating, “No but we invent problems!” This sentiment echoes support from Aurélie Casse, who previously told TV Mag that Salamé is “still in her place” and even declared her “the queen of 8 p.m.,” citing a scarcity of prominent journalism figures in France. The debate highlights the pressures faced by women in high-profile media roles and the scrutiny applied to their performance.