British actor and comedian Russell Brand has publicly admitted to having had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl in the past, describing it today as "exploitative" due to the significant age gap between them.
The statement was made during an interview on "The Megyn Kelly Show," where Brand, 50, spoke about his personal life and the challenges he has faced in the public spotlight. He emphasized that the relationship in question was consensual and legal under UK laws, where the age of consent is 16.
"I slept with a 16-year-old when I was 30," he said, adding that at the time he was a very different person and emotionally immature. However, he admitted that his behavior had been irresponsible and self-centered, without considering the impact on the other party.
This statement comes at a time when Brand faces serious criminal charges in the UK, including multiple counts of rape and sexual assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
One of the women accusing him, identified by the pseudonym "Alice," claims she was in a relationship with him while she was still in school in 2006. She accuses the actor of controlling behavior and manipulation, alleging that he even arranged transportation to pick her up from school during class hours.
According to reports, she contacted Brand's agent in 2020 to report his behavior. In 2023, Brand released a video categorically denying all allegations, insisting that his relationships had always been consensual.
His trial is expected to begin on October 12, 2026, with a two-day preliminary hearing scheduled for June 16 and 17. Meanwhile, just months before the trial, Brand has published a new book on spirituality, in which he discusses his conversion to Christianity and his distancing from his previous life in the entertainment industry.