The Qc Scoop gossip site has been in limbo since Monday following the publication of a publication and a controversial article about Rafaëlle Roy. Here is a summary of the situation.
• Also read: Lysandre Nadeau, Zoé Duval and influencers condemn QC Scoop
QC Scoop publishes a photo of Rafaëlle Roy
On Monday morning, Qc Scoop published an article and a photo of the singer and influencer Rafaëlle Roy in the hospital. The photo was allegedly sent to Qc Scoop by “anonymous sources.”
In the article, the gossip site said it had spoken to “anonymous sources” who claimed that the finalist of the show “La Voix” in 2019 was under police escort and was apparently not fasting.
Rafaëlle Roy reacts
Also on Monday, the influencer responded to the Qc Scoop article on Instagram. “The Qc Scoop news continues to bombard me with false information,” the mother lamented.
“I went to the hospital accompanied by police officers because I asked for help. Because I suffered in silence for a long time. Because I needed help back then,” we read in the publication.
In this message she also states that she had not consumed drugs or alcohol before being hospitalized.
Below the publication, Rafaëlle Roy added the number of the “Let’s Talk Suicide Canada” helpline.
• Also read: Rafaëlle Roy breaks the silence and makes a touching return to the networks
Qc Scoop apologizes… and continues publishing immediately afterwards
Following Rafaëlle Roy’s publication, Qc Scoop posted an apology on Instagram.
“The line between what is worth putting online and what isn’t is sometimes very thin, but this time it was too much. We are not perfect and this is the proof,” we can read.
Qc Scoop admitted that he was unaware of the influencer’s health and that he “should have redoubled his vigilance in the photos and statements made to the public.”
After the apology, the site continued to publish articles.
Reactions from several influencers
The publication of the article and Rafaëlle Roy’s photo sparked numerous reactions, especially from stars and influencers, who denounced Qc Scoop’s actions.
Influencer, singer and host of Occupation Double Andalusia, Alicia Moffet, posted a long message on her Instagram Stories. She criticizes the gossip site, but especially the man who started it, Simon Waddell.
• Also read: Alicia Moffet posts a long destructive message against Qc Scoop
“Qc Scoop has been destroying lives for far too long. “It is unacceptable to blame misguided curiosity and the insatiable desire for attention by claiming to be ‘looking for the truth’ or ‘giving the public what they want,’” she denounces.
Without naming him, Alicia Moffet accused Simon Waddell, founder of Qc Scoop, of acting in “inhumane” and “toxic” ways and “violating the private lives of people he doesn’t even know.” “He uses threats, passive-aggressive messages and revenge, and it MUST stop,” the influencer emphasizes.
Alicia Moffet invites the public to unsubscribe from Qc Scoop’s Instagram account and Simon Waddell’s podcast, Sans Rancune Podcast. “To the public figures and companies associated with him; Think twice about what you encourage. Please. “It’s enough,” she concludes.
Véronique Cloutier also commented on the situation.
• Also read: Véronique Cloutier also publishes a heartfelt cry against Qc Scoop and says at the bottom of the page: “It’s disgusting”
“It’s disgusting to let someone literally get rich off other people’s misfortune,” complains the star presenter.
Influencer Rémi Desgagné also reacted in an Instagram video.
“Can we agree that taking photos of someone in distress in the hospital to write an article and get clicks is crossing the line? These are the consequences of all the times in which we have promoted this kind of “we like gossip, drama” in recent years, he criticizes.
On Tuesday night, influencer Lysandre Nadeau opened up about the stress Simon Waddell caused her during her pregnancy.
• Also read: “I lived under a reign of terror”: Lysandre Nadeau, in turn, takes up Qc Scoop
A petition is started
Singer-songwriter Guillaume Fuso launched an online petition on Monday to demand the permanent closure of the Qc Scoop website.
“Qc Scoop has caused so much damage to people’s lives that they have no qualms about getting involved. […] We must rise together above this culture of emptiness, invalidation and hatred that this misleading site propagates,” reads the petition website, which has collected more than 14,000 signatures in less than 48 hours.
Partners withdraw
On Tuesday afternoon, influencer agency Haute Influence announced that it would no longer represent the gossip site founded by Simon Waddell.
“At Haute Influence, we connect with individuals who share our values, and unfortunately recent actions have not reflected our values,” the press release said.
Qc Scoop’s web provider, H&L Média, which enabled the site’s monetization, has also decided to distance itself from the gossip site.
“Following several publications made by Qc Scoop in the past, including yesterday, H&L Media Inc. has made the decision that now is the time to terminate its relationship with Qc Scoop and therefore its version of the website qcscoop.com to end,” the company said in a press release.
“The permanent termination of our agreement with Qc Scoop reflects our continued commitment to our core values,” the company wrote.
Thousands of subscribers less
Alicia Moffet’s call (and other well-known personalities) seems to have been heard on Instagram.
As of Wednesday morning, the account was followed by 165,000 people, a decrease of tens of thousands of subscribers.