Russell Brand Admits Past Relationship With 16-Year-Old, Calls Behavior “Exploitative”

Actor and comedian Russell Brand has acknowledged that he had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old when he was 30, while maintaining that the encounter was consensual and legal under U.K. law.

Brand, 50, made the statement during an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show on April 22. He said the age of consent in the United Kingdom is 16 and emphasized that the relationship was legal at the time. However, he also described his past behavior as “exploitative” and said he failed to consider the impact of his actions on others.

“I recognize that my sexual conduct in the past was selfish,” Brand said. He added that he was “a very different person” at the time and described himself as immature.

The comments come as Brand faces multiple criminal charges in the United Kingdom, including rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial is scheduled to begin on October 12, 2026.

One of the accusers, identified publicly as “Alice,” alleges that Brand began a sexual relationship with her in 2006 while she was still in school. She has accused him of grooming behavior and controlling conduct, including arranging transportation to take her out of school during the relationship. She reported the alleged conduct to Brand’s agent in 2020.

Brand has previously denied all allegations of non-consensual activity. In a video released in September 2023, he said his relationships had been “absolutely, always consensual.”

In addition to the legal case, Brand recently announced a new memoir titled How to Become a Christian in 7 Days, which discusses his spiritual beliefs and personal life. The book references his conversion to Christianity and addresses the allegations against him, which he continues to dispute.

The case remains ongoing.