Julio Iglesias speaks out following sexual abuse and trafficking claims

Julio Iglesias has dismissed allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking raised in a criminal complaint by two former employees, describing the claims as “completely false”.

The accusations surfaced publicly after a three year collaborative investigation carried out by Spanish broadcaster Univision Noticias and Spanish publication elDiario.es, as reported by The Guardian. As part of the probe, both outlets interviewed and gathered testimony from 15 individuals who previously worked for the singer.

According to the complaint, the two women say that in 2021 they endured “inappropriate touching, insults and humiliation” while employed by the Spanish singer, who is also the father of Enrique Iglesias. They allege the incidents occurred over a ten month period while working with him in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. One of the women, identified under the alias “Rebecca”, claimed that Iglesias would summon her to his room after her shifts and touch her without consent. She also alleged that these encounters often happened with another staff member present and left her feeling “like a slave”.

The second complainant, referred to as “Laura”, alleged that Iglesias kissed her on the mouth and touched her sexually without her permission. Both Laura and Rebecca further claimed that employees worked within “an atmosphere of control and constant harassment” and accused the singer of “normalis[ing] abuse”.

In its reporting, elDiario.es stated that interviews with former staff members “describe the women’s conditions of isolation, labour disputes, the hierarchical structure of the staff, and the tense atmosphere created by Iglesias’s short tempered character”.

The outlet also reported that the two women were “interviewed repeatedly over more than a year and their accounts remained consistent throughout”, adding that “their statements are supported by extensive documentary evidence, such as photographs, call logs, WhatsApp messages, visas, medical reports and other documents.”

Spanish prosecutors have since opened preliminary proceedings related to the complaint through Spain’s High Court.

After initially declining to respond to requests for comment from the media, Iglesias has now publicly rejected the allegations.

In a statement written in Spanish and shared on his Instagram page alongside his signature, he denied “having abused, coerced or disrespected any woman. These accusations are completely false and cause me great sadness”. He also said that messages of support he has received have brought him “great comfort”.

The complaint submitted by the two women was filed on their behalf by Women’s Link Worldwide, which described them as young Latin American women “in vulnerable situations who were ⁠heavily dependent on their wages due to ‌their economic and social conditions”.

Iglesias’ record label Sony has chosen not to comment on the allegations.

For help, advice or further information about sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the United States, visit RAINN.