Russell Brand admits to sleeping with a 16-year-old when he was 30
Russell Brand has admitted to sleeping with a 16-year-old when he was 30-years-old, amid a delayed trial for allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Brand made the confession while appearing on The Megyn Kelly Show. Though the former actor was quick to note that the age of consent in the United Kingdom is 16-years-old, he called the move “exploitative”.
Referencing the incident, Brand began, “Thank you, Megyn Kelly, for giving me the grace to address, in particular, your anger, which is entirely legitimate and recognisable.”
He added, “The plain fact of it is that in Europe and in the United Kingdom, where I’m from, the age of consent is 16, and I did sleep with a 16-year-old when I was 30, but when I was 30, I was a very different person. I was a lot younger, and I was an immature 30-year-old.”
Brand continued, “Consensual sex, actually, with a variety of people when there is a strong power differential, because there is when you’re a famous man that has the ability to attract women that I had at that time, I think, involves exploitation. I think it is exploitative.”
He deemed his past sexual conduct “selfish” and admitted that he “did not apply enough consideration, barely any, I suppose, really, to how that sex was affecting other people.”
Brand was charged with rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault in April 2025; the claims related to four separate women and allegedly took place between 1999 and 2005.
In December, two other women brought rape and sexual assault charges against him for incidents that took place in 2009.
As a result, the case, which was set to begin in June at Southwark Crown Court in London, has now been postponed until October 12th to incorporate the two fresh allegations.
Brand has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges.
After the initial five charges, he said in a video posted on social media, “I was a drug addict, sex addict and imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist. I never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.