Former actress and host Sharon Au has addressed the recent civil unrest in France, assuring friends and family of her safety while reflecting on the complex social tensions underlying the protests. Au, who has resided in Paris since 2018, shared her thoughts in a Facebook post dated October 19, responding to numerous inquiries about her well-being amid the nationwide disturbances.

Au, 51, described the challenges she faced in commenting on the events that unfolded on October 17, when widespread protests escalated into violent clashes in various French cities. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of concern from loved ones, confirming that she was safe and away from areas most affected by the unrest.

The demonstrations, which began in September focused on shortages in public school staffing, have since broadened to nationwide protests addressing cost-of-living increases and government budget cuts. These events have resulted in incidents of violence, property damage, and the imposition of curfews in several districts.

Acknowledging her position as a foreign resident, Au cautioned against oversimplifying the causes of the protests. She noted that she is not a political analyst and does not claim full understanding of the grievances holding hundreds of thousands on the streets. “I did not grow up in France. I have never been through its public school system. I have not lived the frustrations of French students, teachers or families who feel let down by their institutions,” she wrote.

Au emphasized the importance of critical assessment, warning against drawing conclusions based solely on unsettling images and contradictory reports. She stated that such images capture only moments and often do not reflect the entire context. While recognizing France’s longstanding tradition of public dissent, she expressed difficulty reconciling the pursuit of societal improvement with acts of destruction committed during some of the protests.

She further distinguished between peaceful demonstrators advocating legitimate concerns and those who have exploited the unrest to engage in violence. “Understanding anger does not oblige us to justify violence,” she asserted.

Drawing on her background as a Singaporean, Au reflected on the contrast between her country’s approach to public order and collective action and the dynamics in France. Living in Paris has challenged many of her preconceived notions, she said, underscoring that personal freedoms must be balanced with responsibility toward the broader community.

Despite the turmoil, Au affirmed her commitment to life in France, describing Paris as “still home,” even during difficult times. Since relocating to Paris, she has transitioned from her earlier career in entertainment to investment management, working as an investment director in a private equity firm before leaving the role in 2022. Last year, she returned briefly to acting in the short film Cendol, directed by actor Qi Yuwu.

In recent months, Au has indicated plans to spend more time in Seoul, following a collaboration with South Korean fashion brand L’H.A.S. She remains engaged in both her personal and professional pursuits amid the evolving social climate in France.