Russell Brand Admits Past Sexual Conduct with 16-Year-Old Was Exploitative Amid Ongoing Legal Battles

Russell Brand has publicly addressed his past decision to engage in a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old when he was 30 years old, acknowledging the exploitative nature of the encounter despite it being consensual under European and UK law.

During an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show on Wednesday, Brand discussed ongoing allegations of sexual assault and underage sex, emphasizing the power differential in such relationships.

"Thank you, Megyn Kelly, for giving me the grace to address, in particular, your anger, which is entirely legitimate and recognizable," Brand said. "And 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."

He 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. I recognize 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."

Brand is currently awaiting trial on seven charges of rape and sexual assault, including two counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. These charges stem from incidents allegedly occurring between 2006 and 2013, with two additional charges filed in December 2024 for incidents in 2009. All charges have been denied, and Brand has pleaded not guilty.

The investigation began in September 2023 following public statements from alleged victims. Brand’s trial, originally scheduled for March 2025, has been postponed and is now set for October 12, 2025.

In a prior video message addressing the allegations, Brand reflected on his past behavior, stating,

"I’ve always told you guys that when I was young and single before I had my wife and family—who are just out of shot over there, my beautiful children—I was a fool, man. I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile—but what I never was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes."