Title:
"Bridgerton Actress Reveals ‘Rock Bottom,’ Concussion After Phone Thief Threatened Stabbing in ‘Life or Death’ Struggle"

This version condenses the key details—her emotional state, injury, the threat, and the intensity of the altercation—while maintaining clarity and impact.

Genevieve Chenneour Opens Up About Trauma After Violent Phone Theft Attack

Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour, 27, has revealed how a terrifying phone theft left her “terrified to go out alone” and triggered a personal crisis, including the end of her three-year relationship. The star, known for playing gossip columnist Clara Livingston in the Netflix series, described the February 8 incident at a London café as a “life or death” struggle that upended her life.

[IMAGE: Genevieve Chenneour in Bridgerton (caption: Genevieve as Clara Livingston in Bridgerton)]

The Attack
CCTV footage showed Zacariah Boulares, 18, sneaking up behind Genevieve at Joe & The Juice in Kensington before snatching her phone. A violent scuffle ensued, with Boulares threatening to stab her. “I kicked him back to create space in case he had a weapon,” she recalled during an interview with The Times. “It became a real matter of life and death.” Despite her bravery, the actress suffered a concussion and weeks of dizziness.

[IMAGE: CCTV still of the café attack (caption: CCTV captures the moment Boulares attacked Genevieve)]

Aftermath and Emotional Toll
The trauma led Genevieve to move out of her west London home of seven years. “I hit rock bottom after the attack and breakup,” she admitted. “I’m hypervigilant around men now—even skipping festivals this summer to avoid crowds.” She described struggling with agoraphobia, adding, “Leaving the house was really hard. Women already live with that base-level fear, but this made it worse.”

[IMAGE: Genevieve looking distressed (caption: Genevieve relocated after the attack, citing ongoing anxiety)]

Boulares’ Criminal History
Boulares, now 18, had a history of violent crimes. In 2023, he threatened to behead singer Aled Jones with a machete during a £17,000 Rolex robbery. Despite receiving a 24-month sentence, he was released after 14 months. By February, he’d committed 28 offenses, including assaulting another café patron during Genevieve’s robbery. “He needs prison and psychological care,” she urged. “Without rehabilitation, he’ll keep offending.”

[IMAGE: Boulares’ mugshot (caption: Zacariah Boulares has 12 prior convictions)]

Safety Advice from Experts
Former Chief Superintendent Parm Sandu warned against resisting thieves: “Never fight back—they might have weapons.” She advised using phone straps, noting IMEI numbers for tracking, and immediately reporting thefts to providers and police. “Erase data remotely if possible,” she added.

Genevieve’s ordeal sparked conversations about phone theft’s psychological impact. “So many live with this anxiety,” she said. “But sharing my story helps us support each other.”

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(Note: Images are placeholder references. Actual article would include relevant visuals with captions.)