Once we learned the extent of Russell Brand’s depravity and there were multiple women accusing him of crimes, I really tapped out. It’s not that I don’t care about the story, but I just hoped that Brand would immediately be thrown into prison and we wouldn’t have to deal with him anymore. That’s not what happened. After the 2023 reporting of the credible accusations against Brand, he was still allowed to roam free for nearly two solid years. He was only charged with multiple counts of rape and assault in the spring of 2025. The trial won’t begin until October of this year. In all of that time, Brand has tried a million different image/branding shifts, including born-again Christianity. His latest thing? Admitting to something which isn’t technically illegal in the UK but is still horrible.
Russell Brand said he had “exploitative” consensual sex with a 16-year-old girl at the height of his fame. The comedian, actor and podcaster, 50, will be tried in the autumn over allegations of rape and sexual assault made against him by six women. Brand denies all the charges, which date from 1999 to 2009. Speaking about his past actions in an appearance on the YouTube show of the US journalist Megyn Kelly, Brand described himself “selfish” and an “exploiter of women”.
He said: “I did sleep with a 16-year-old when I was 30. When I was 30, I was a very different person. I was a lot younger, and I was an immature 30-year-old… Consensual sex with a lot of people, when there is a strong power differential, as there is when you are a famous man who has the ability to attract women that I had at that time, I think involves exploitation. I think it is exploitative. I recognise that my sexual conduct in the past was selfish and I did not apply enough consideration, barely any I suppose, really, to how that sex was affecting other people.”
The age of consent in the UK is 16, unless it is with an adult in a “position of trust” such as a teacher, social worker, sports coach or doctor, in which case the age of consent is 18.
Brand, who hosted Big Brother spin-off shows, had his own BBC Radio 2 programme and starred in a number of Hollywood films, is facing three charges of rape, three allegations of sexual assault and one charge of indecent assault. His trial at Southwark crown court is scheduled to begin on 12 October, when his six accusers will speak about the claims and he will have the chance to give evidence.
“I was an immature 30-year-old” Imagine the maturity level of the 16-year-old. What the f–k is Megyn Kelly doing, interviewing Brand and platforming this? It’s conceivable that this interview could be introduced at trial, right? Especially since it goes to pattern and M.O. – his trial is for multiple victims, multiple instances of assault and rape.
Russell Brand says he slept with a 16-year-old when he was 30.
https://t.co/I6DFi4uXNG Credit: The Megyn Kelly Show pic.twitter.com/nzd7TX8XBI
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 22, 2026
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Instagram.
