Russell Brand has been charged with rape and sexual assault involving four women — allegations he has pleaded not guilty to — as he confesses to a controversial relationship
Russell Brand acknowledged the longstanding allegations that he had been intimate with a 16-year-old girl.
On Wednesday, April 22, the Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor, 50, joined The Megyn Kelly Show to address how he navigated a high-profile life that has included multiple marriages and sexual misconduct allegations. Shortly after entering a not guilty plea to fresh charges of rape and sexual assault, Brand conceded there’s some validity to the historical accusations.
During his podcast appearance, the actor admitted, “I did sleep with a 16-year-old when I was 30,” before explaining the encounter was consensual and legal. This comes as the star faced two new charges of rape and sexual assault.
READ MORE: Marla Maples, 62, shows off in strapless gown after Melania Trump snubREAD MORE: Sydney Sweeney cut from Devil Wears Prada 2 following MAGA backlash
“In Europe and in the United Kingdom, where I’m from, the age of consent is 16,” he emphasized.
The actor also noted he was a “very different person” at the time. “I was a lot younger and I was an immature 30 year old,” he explained. Nevertheless, Russell accepted responsibility for his actions that he characterizes as “exploitative.” He believes he leveraged the “strong power differential” to his benefit, reports the Express US.
“I recognize that my sexual conduct in the past was selfish,” he said. “I did not apply enough consideraiton, barely any I suppose really, to how that sex was affecting other people.”
The actor is currently facing a total of seven criminal charges in the U.K., including multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault. One of the four women who brought accusations against him claimed that Russell initiated a three-month sexual relationship with her in 2006 while she was attending school. The woman, identified as “Alice” to preserve her anonymity, has accused the actor of referring to her as “the child,” while controlling and grooming her. She alleged he even arranged for a vehicle to collect her from school during class time.
Alice reportedly informed investigators that she contacted Russell’s agent in 2020 to disclose the conduct.
In September 2023, the actor shared a video online “absolutely” denying the allegations, declaring that all of his relationships had been “absolutely, always consensual.”
As of February 2026, he has entered a not guilty plea to all charges. His trial is set to commence on October 12, 2026.
Just months before he was expected to testify, Russell unveiled a new spiritual memoir entitled “How to Become a Christian in 7 Days.”
The synopsis reads, “This is New York Times bestselling author Russell Brand’s testimony and guide to a timeless, yet zeitgeist-capturing, grounded, yet psychedelic encounter with Christ.
“As much as the world is in cultural and political collapse, unless you’ve been living in a billionaire bunker on Epstein Island, you know we are in an extraordinary revival,” the synopsis continued. “With his customary, almost shocking frankness, Brand describes his apostasy from ‘demonic Hollywood’ and radical conversion to Christianity against a backdrop of false allegations, his son’s heart surgery, and truly jaw-dropping spiritual warfare.”
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here.