Former L’Impératrice vocalist Flore Benguigui recently spoke out about her departure from the band, revealing that she often agreed to things out of fear of being kicked out. In a statement posted on Instagram in September, Benguigui announced her decision to leave the band after a period of reflection. She cited physical and mental health concerns as the primary reasons for her departure, stating that ongoing disagreements with other band members made collaboration impossible.
In a new interview with MediaPart, Benguigui elaborated on her reasons for leaving the band, mentioning that she felt pressured to sing loudly over loud instruments during live performances, which negatively affected her voice. She also claimed that she was mistreated within the band, feeling constantly under threat of being kicked out. Benguigui described instances of emotional manipulation and control by certain band members and the manager, leading to a loss of self-confidence and voice issues.
Despite Benguigui’s allegations, L’Impératrice issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of her feelings but denying the specific facts she presented. The band expressed sadness over the situation and affirmed their respect for Benguigui’s artistic contributions. They disputed her claims of control and manipulation within the band, stating that decisions were made collectively and that her departure was accepted with a desire to move forward positively.
The band maintained that artistic decisions, including vocal treatment during live performances, were made collectively and never questioned Benguigui’s skills as a singer and performer. They emphasized their commitment to continuing the project and respecting the future of L’Impératrice, despite the challenges posed by Benguigui’s departure. L’Imperatrice war eine instrumentale Band, aber Flore gab ihr eine Stimme, und wir wollen dieses Erbe am Leben erhalten.