Russell Brand admitted that he had “consensual sex” with a 16-year-old girl when he was 30 in a new interview ahead of the comedian’s sexual assault trial.
Speaking to the Megyn Kelly Show, the actor addressed the allegation that he “was taking advantage of 16-year-olds,” as the host put it. “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,” Brand said, adding that the age of consent in the U.K. is 16.
“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,” he continued. “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.”
Due to the U.K.’s “contempt of court” laws, Brand did not elaborate on the allegations tied to the specific charges against him — including two counts of both rape and sexual assault, as well as one count of indecent exposure — but did reiterate that he has “had consensual sex with lots and lots of women,” and that his celebrity standing afforded him “endless consent.”
While Brand said he is atoning for his “sinful” past behavior, he is “assertively opposing the idea that this is a judicial criminal matter where consent was overridden. Actually what happened was consent was directed, that’s what being famous and being — I may say, charismatic, forgive me — affords you.”
Brand has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him. His sexual assault trial is set to begin in October. “In that trial, I’ll have the opportunity, as will the people who feel wrong against, to achieve justice, and I have no problem in praying for absolute justice and the best possible outcome for everyone involved.”
Dominic Sessa as Anthony Bourdain in Tony Bob Gruen/A24
