Spanish-American singer Victoria Canal has come forward with disturbing allegations, accusing a “very powerful” man in the music industry of grooming and sexually abusing her when she was 19.
The Instagram Post
On August 11 — her 27th birthday — Canal shared a lengthy Instagram post, saying she had kept the abuse secret for eight years.
“This is something I’ve never spoken about publicly, and have been holding for 8 years now – it has plagued my body, spirit, and mind, in subliminal and overt ways, for my entire 20s,” she wrote.
She explained that an unrelated assault by a stranger earlier this year triggered buried memories and pushed her to speak out. “Today, on my 27th birthday, I am choosing my own freedom by sharing this with you all. I am letting it out, to be able to let it go.”
Her Allegations
Canal said the abuser was a decades-older man who appeared outwardly as a family man with a long-running career. She described him as “loving, charismatic and principled” in public but claimed he had a “history of incredibly damaging behavior” protected by a team of enablers.
According to Canal, the man initially took her under his wing, then began touching and photographing her without consent. She said the behaviors escalated over the course of a year, keeping her isolated and afraid to speak out.
“At the time, this person made me believe that if I ever told anyone what he was doing, my career would be over before it started,” she alleged.
Canal said that after more than a year, the man admitted that putting her in that situation “had been his plan all along.”
Recovery and Moving Forward
The “June Baby” and “Cake” singer described the aftermath as a shattering experience, but one she’s been working through with therapy, psychedelic treatments, supportive conversations, and her art.
Canal, who was born without the lower half of her right arm, clarified that her alleged abuser was not among her current mentors in the industry. She credited those mentors, including people she’s worked with since signing to a major label in 2022, as a positive force.
“These men have actually been a healing force in my life… showing me that healthy mentorship does exist,” she wrote.
She asked fans not to speculate or confuse her abuser with mentors like Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who has supported her career.
A Brave Step
Canal closed her message by saying she shared her story to release its weight and reclaim her freedom. “I always prepared in my heart for the day when I could write such a post myself… now I am more nervous and trembling than I imagined. Thanks to the fans who have always been a great strength for a long time, I’m taking on new challenges in life.”