Gabriella Papadakis Releases Memoir on Toxic Partnership and Personal Struggles
Paris, 15 January 2026 – Former French ice dance champion Gabriella Papadakis has published her memoir, “Pour ne pas disparaître” (To Not Disappear), in which she alleges a toxic relationship with her ex-partner Guillaume Cizeron, including emotional control and fear, while also revealing she is a sexual assault survivor.
Career Highlights
Gabriella Papadakis, born in Clermont-Ferrand in 1995, partnered with Guillaume Cizeron from a young age, forming one of the most successful ice dance duos in history. Together, they won Olympic gold at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, silver at Pyeongchang 2018, and five World Championships (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022). They also secured five European titles and seven French national championships. Papadakis retired from competitive skating in December 2024, citing burnout, and has since worked as a consultant for NBC at events like the 2025 World Championships in Boston. In 2023, she came out as bisexual and began collaborating with American skater Madison Hubbell on artistic performances.
Book Revelations
In her book, Papadakis describes the partnership with Cizeron as marked by disputes, health issues, and a strong sense of emprise (control), which she claims intensified during the 2022 Olympics. She states she feared being alone with him and experienced panic attacks before performances. Papadakis also discloses being raped twice during her adolescence. Cizeron, who now partners with Laurence Fournier Beaudry, has denied the allegations, calling them “grave” and “false,” and has threatened legal action. The book aims to “reclaim her voice” after years of silence, as Papadakis explains in interviews.
Key Facts / Stats
| Event | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics | 2018 | Silver |
| Olympics | 2022 | Gold |
| World Championships | 2015–2022 | 5 Golds |
| European Championships | 2015–2019 | 5 Golds |
| French Championships | 2015–2022 | 7 Golds |
| Personal Best Total Score | 2022 | 229.82 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Gabriella Papadakis?
Gabriella Papadakis is a retired French figure skater specialising in ice dance. She is best known for her partnership with Guillaume Cizeron, with whom she achieved numerous international successes, including Olympic gold in 2022.
What does the book “Pour ne pas disparaître” reveal?
The memoir details Papadakis’s experiences of a toxic relationship with Cizeron, including allegations of emotional control and fear, as well as her survival of sexual assaults. It provides an insider’s view of the pressures in elite figure skating.
How has Guillaume Cizeron responded?
Cizeron has publicly denied the allegations, describing them as false and harmful, and has indicated he is considering legal action to protect his reputation ahead of the 2026 European Championships.