Genevieve Chenneour, who played Clara Livingston in Season 3 of Netflix’s hit period drama Bridgerton, shocked fans this week—not for her on-screen performance, but for how she took down a thief who tried to rob her in broad daylight.
Sources told National Enquirer that the 27-year-old actress had been enjoying a quiet moment with a friend at Joe & the Juice, a trendy café in Kensington, when the incident occurred. The thief, 18-year-old Zacariah Boulares, reportedly snuck up from behind after seeing Chenneour alone and distracted.
Boulares, dressed in a hoodie, grabbed the actress’s phone and began to walk away. But Chenneour immediately noticed and chased him down. Surveillance footage shared online showed her grabbing the teen and engaging in a physical struggle until the device was dropped.
Witnesses confirmed the actress then retrieved the phone and hit Boulares with it.
Victim suffers concussion after violent confrontation
The altercation was not without injury. Chenneour later revealed that she suffered a concussion and has felt “constantly on edge” since the incident.
On Instagram, she shared video clips of the theft and the moments that followed. She said another man arrived at the scene, threatening to stab her several times. The man is believed to be Boulares’ underage accomplice.
The Bridgerton star described the fight as surreal. She explained that something primal took over her, and she reacted without hesitation. The footage, she said, still gives her chills.
According to court records, Boulares has a disturbing criminal history. He previously threatened to behead Welsh singer Aled Jones while stealing the artist’s $23,000 Rolex. He pleaded guilty to the theft of Chenneour’s phone and now awaits sentencing.
Bridgerton fans shocked as actress reveals athletic past
Many fans didn’t know Chenneour is more than just a period drama darling. Before acting, she competed as a Team GB artistic swimmer. Insiders say her athletic background may have given her the physical edge she needed to defend herself.
Despite the trauma, the actress was praised for staying calm and defending herself when things turned dangerous. Fellow actors and fans flooded her social media with support.
One political insider who saw the clip described the moment as “pure adrenaline,” adding that no one would have expected a Bridgerton star to deliver that kind of takedown.
The café declined to comment, but authorities confirmed increased police presence in the area following a spike in mobile thefts in upscale neighborhoods.
Chenneour has not confirmed whether she will press further charges or pursue legal action beyond the criminal proceedings. But insiders hinted the story isn’t over yet.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.