#SHOWBIZ: Sharon Au breaks silence on violent French riots, assures safety in Paris

PARIS: Former actress and host Sharon Au has spoken out regarding the recent civil unrest sweeping across France, offering heartfelt reflections on the ongoing protests while reassuring loved ones that she remains out of harm's way.

The 51-year-old Singaporean personality, who relocated to Paris in 2018, took to Facebook on Oct 19 after receiving an outpouring of messages from anxious friends and family.

Addressing the situation, she expressed gratitude for the concern, clarifying: "My phone has been flooded with messages from concerned family and friends checking on my safety. Thank you. I am safe, and fortunately away from the areas affected by the unrest."

The demonstrations, which initially erupted in September over public school staffing shortages, have since escalated into nationwide protests over budget cuts and rising cost-of-living pressures, leading to violent clashes, curfews, and damaged businesses.

Reflecting on the situation, Au acknowledged the limitations of her perspective as a non-native resident, noting: "I am not a political commentator. Nor do I pretend to understand the full complexity of the grievances that brought hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets."

She cautioned against making hasty judgments based solely on graphic media coverage, adding: "Images may capture a moment. They rarely capture the whole truth. I reminded myself not to mistake the depth of my emotions for the strength of my understanding."

While reiterating her respect for the country's "proud tradition of dissent", Au voiced firm disapproval of the escalating destruction.

She urged distinguishing "between those who march peacefully for legitimate grievances and those who exploit public anger to commit violence", adding that "understanding anger does not oblige us to justify violence".

Drawing a contrast with her Singaporean heritage, she noted that living abroad has challenged her long-held views on collective action and citizenship.

Despite the turbulence, Au affirmed her commitment to remaining in the French capital, concluding: "Paris is still home. Even on days when I struggle to recognise her."

Following her move to France, Au served as an investment director at a private equity firm before stepping down in 2022.

She recently made a return to screen acting in Qi Yuwu's 2025 short film Cendol, and revealed plans in September to spend more time working in Seoul.