Must stand trial on allegations of sexual violence.Image: www.imago-images.de
Russell Brand will soon have to appear in court on serious charges. Now he emphasizes that he often behaved incorrectly, but did not break the law.
April 24, 2026, 6:29 p.mApril 24, 2026, 6:29 p.m
Actor Russell Brand, accused of sexual violence allegations, has admitted wrongdoing in his dealings with women. However, he did not break the law, says the 50-year-old.
“I recognize that my sexual behavior in the past has been selfish and that I have given little, if any, consideration to how that sex affected other people,” the former comedian said on US journalist Megyn Kelly’s YouTube show.
The Brit will go on trial in London this fall, accused of rape, harassment and coercion. Six women had made allegations against Russell Brand; according to the PA news agency, the acts were said to have taken place between 1999 and 2009. Brand is said to have raped a woman in a hotel, grabbed a TV employee’s breast and forced her to perform oral sex. The ex-comedian denies the allegations.
Russel Brand visits the right-wing conservative Megyn Kelly.Image: X
In the interview, however, Brand described himself as selfish and admitted that he had taken advantage of women. At the age of 30, he claimed, he had sex with a 16-year-old. However, he did not violate the law in doing so, as the age of sexual consent in Great Britain is 16 years. As a 30-year-old, he was immature and a completely different person.
Russell Brand: Not a “criminal matter”
Nevertheless, there was a strong power imbalance, which is often the case “if you are a famous man who has the ability to attract women,” said Brand. “I think it’s exploitative,” he continued. However, he firmly rejects the fact that this also became a “criminal matter”. «In fact, the consent was directed. That’s what fame and charisma allow you to do,” he continued.
According to the PA news agency, Brand’s trial begins on October 12th at Southwark Crown Court. Russell Brand lives in the USA and is free on bail until his trial.
Russell Brand started his career in the mid-1990s – first as an actor and presenter, then as a comedian. From 2000 he hosted MTV. In 2006 he was named Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards. Shortly afterwards, Russell Brand also conquered Hollywood. He also made headlines with his private life. In 2009 he fell in love with Katy Perry and got married in 2010. Since 2023, allegations of sexual violence have overshadowed his career.
Sources used:
(Nile)