Actor Russell Brand has released a statement denying allegations of rape and sexual assault that have been circulating in the media. In a video statement posted on the social media platform X, Brand insisted that the relationships in question were consensual. The 48-year-old comedian received support from notable individuals such as CEO Elon Musk and former kickboxer Andrew Tate.
Brand expressed that he has been targeted by media companies with very serious criminal allegations and described the accusations as extremely egregious and aggressive attacks. He also claimed that there is an agenda to control spaces like his.
The actor emphasized that he has always been open about his relationships, which are detailed in his books, and maintained that all of them were consensual.
Four women have come forward accusing Brand of sexual assault between 2006 and 2013, during his time as a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4. There have also been additional allegations of domineering behavior and predatory actions.
One woman claimed that Brand raped her at his Los Angeles home and sought treatment at a rape crisis center the same day. Text messages allegedly show that she felt terrified and taken advantage of after leaving his residence.
Another woman alleged that Brand sexually assaulted her when she was 16 years old, referring to her as the child during an emotionally abusive relationship. She also stated that Brand forced her to perform oral sex.
A third woman accused Brand of sexual abuse while she worked for him in Los Angeles and claimed that he threatened to sue her if she spoke out about it.
Various women have reportedly come forward with stories of physical and emotional abuse, as well as sexual harassment.
The Times and The Sunday Times conducted interviews with hundreds of women who know Brand, including ex-girlfriends, friends and family, comedians, and celebrities. They also examined private emails, text messages, and medical and therapists notes as part of their evidence-gathering process.
Brand’s lawyers initially responded to the allegations by stating that they were unable to address the charges due to the anonymization of the women’s names, which they saw as a deliberate attempt to harm him. However, Brand later issued a statement on his YouTube channel and X, refuting the allegations.
This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
