British actor and comedian, Russell Brand, is facing allegations of rape, sexual assault, and abuse from four women, one a 16-year-old allegedly referred to as “the child.” These allegations emerged in an investigation jointly conducted by The Sunday Times of London, the Times of London, and Channel 4 Dispatches.
The accusations span a period of seven years, from 2006 to 2013, during the height of Brand’s fame. One of the accusers, known as “Nadia,” claimed the “Get Him to the Greek” raped her at his Los Angeles home in 2012. Medical records, cited by the investigative outlets, indicate that she sought treatment at a rape crisis center on the same day as the alleged assault.
Afterward, Nadia confronted Brand, expressing her fear and feelings of being taken advantage of, to which he responded with a text message stating, “When a girl [says] NO, it means no,” followed by a professed apology.
Another accuser, who was 16 years old at the time, identified as “Alice,” alleged that Brand called her “the child” during their emotionally abusive and controlling three-month relationship. Alice claimed that Brand groomed her and even gave her instructions on how to deceive her parents. She recounted instances when Brand sent a car to pick her up from school and insisted that she not enter his home, emphasizing the potential dangers.
Alice further alleged that Brand once forced her to choke when he “forced his penis down her throat,” leading her to respond by punching him in the stomach to make him stop.
Additional allegations from Brand’s accusers included an incident where he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman, “Phoebe,” at his West Hollywood property after they met at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. Phoebe described a terrifying encounter where Brand alledgedly trapped her in a bedroom and pursued her before pinning her down and assaulting her.
Brand’s ex-girlfriend, Jordan Martin, wrote similar accusations in her self-published book “kNot: Entanglement with a Celebrity,” alleging that he sexually assaulted her at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester during their six-month relationship in 2007.
Brand, known for discussing his sex addiction and alleged predatory behavior in his routines, reacted to these allegations with a preemptively released video on YouTube and X, formerly Twitter. He referred to them as “serious criminal” allegations and vehemently denied them. Brand suggested that the accusations were part of a “coordinated attack” against him.
He acknowledged a period of promiscuity in his past but insisted that all of his relationships during that time were consensual. He vowed to investigate the matter further, considering it “very, very serious.”
Brand responded to the allegations at his “Bipolarisation” show at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, where he was met with cheers from fans. He addressed the situation, saying there were some aspects he could not discuss. However, he told the audience that he would give them his all.
Meanwhile, the British television stations that once featured Brand are under scrutiny regarding how much they knew about the alleged sexual misconduct, with claims that it was an “open secret” in the industry. Top politicians have called for authorities to investigate if there was an “exploitation of power” within the entertainment sector.
Both Channel 4 and the BBC, where Brand hosted shows, have issued statements concerning the allegations. The BBC, recalling the investigation conducted following Brand’s controversial on-air phone call in 2008, said they are committed to addressing these issues seriously. Channel 4 expressed its dismay at the allegations and said they are investigating the full scope of the allegations.
