Comedian and Christian influencer Russell Brand has been charged with rape and sexual assault, the Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police Anunciado Viernes.
Brand, 49, is known for his stand-up comedy and acting career, starring in films such as “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Get Him to the Greek,” “Despicable Me,” and “Trolls.” He gained notoriety after marrying pop star Katy Perry between 2010-2012.
Since Brand was baptized a year ago, he has been open about his faith on social media and been invited to speak on multiple Christian podcasts.
Brand now faces a total of five charges: one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault, authorities reported. The incidents allegedly involved four women and occurred between 1999 and 2005 in London and Bournemouth, England.
Detectives began investigating the case after The Sunday Times newspaper and British broadcaster Channel 4 reported allegations in 2023 that Brand had sexually and emotionally abused four women. These women said the incidents occurred between 2006 and 2013.
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One of the women told the publications that she was 16 (the UK’s age of consent) and Brand was 30 when they began a relationship that involved both abuse and sexual assault.
“The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers,” said Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy in a statement. “The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police.”
Brand has repeatedly denied the allegations on social media, saying that all his relationships have been consensual.
In a video posted on X on Friday, Brand alleged that while he was a “fool” before he found God, he has never been a “rapist.”
“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,” Brand said. “But what I never was, was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity, and I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes. I want to thank all of you for your continuing support.”
Brand said he plans to defend the charges in court.
“And, of course, I’m now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court, and I’m incredibly grateful for that,” Brand concluded. “In the meantime, you lot, stay free. And we will be continuing to discuss this matter. Praise the Lord.”
Brand will appear in London Westminster Magistrates’ Court in May.
Brand faces lawsuit in the U.S.
Brand is also facing allegations of sexual assault in a lawsuit in the U.S.
A woman dubbed “Jane Doe” filed a separate civil sexual assault case in New York in November 2023, according to registros de la corte.
This case accuses the comedian of sexually assaulting the woman in a bathroom and exposing his genitals while on the set of the movie, “Arthur.” The alleged incidents occurred in 2010, the complaint reported.
In July that year, Brand exposed his genitals to the woman “in full view of the cast and crew,” along with the movie’s production team and Warner Bros employees.
That same day, Brand cornered the woman in a bathroom and again exposed himself to her, according to the complaint. He then sexually assaulted her.
The lawsuit is still pending in courts.
Russell Brand gains popularity on Christian podcasts
Since Brand’s baptism last year, he has appeared on numerous Christian podcasts and featured Christian influencers on his own podcast.
Christian prophetic minister Shawn Bolz and evangelical commentator Allie Beth Stuckey both gave glowing coverage last year to Brand’s conversion story on their respective podcasts.
On Brand’s own podcast, he has featured Christian celebrities such as the Chosen creator dallas jenkins and conservative commentator Matt Walsh.
Brand has also infamously baptized a friend while wearing just his underwear, according to a post on X.
en un entrevista with Fox News host Tucker Carlson in 2023, Brand said, “Like many desperate people, I need spirituality. I need God, or I cannot cope in this world. I need to believe in the best in people.”
Liz Lykins is a correspondent covering religion news for The Roys Report, WORLD Magazine, and other publications.
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27 Responses
If he’s really a Christian he will take responsibility for what he has done.
“Christian” and “Russell Brand” don’t belong together in the same paragraph–let alone, the same sentence. The individual is vile sleaze personified; note his conspiracy gibberish, his anti-Semitic fearmongering, and (lest we forget) his monumental perversion and sexual predation (much of which he’s admitted to). Look up his marriage to Katy Perry for instance. Brand is about as “conservative” and “Christian” as Mel Gibson (or the Tate brothers).
Oh, how those with much to hide suddenly become Christian, thinking that will save them from their criminal behaviour. And worse, the newly minted “Christian” has the audacity to proclaim self-righteousness on everyone else. Christianity is not a gimmick and it is not casual. It takes serious effort and considerable awareness.
Ironically if they were truly regenerate, they would admit their crimes and take whatever consequences are as a result, whether criminal or civil court.
Here in the UK Brand’s notoriety long predates his marriage to Katy Perry. The most notorious incident was the time he and another famous radio/TV personality, Jonathan Ross, played an awful prank call on an elderly actor, Andrew Sachs. (Sachs played Manuel in Fawlty Towers.) In the call, which was later broadcast, Brand revealed details of his sexual relationship with Sachs’ grand-daughter. These and other incidents have made the reaction to his conversion mixed in British Christian circles. Many welcome it, many want to believe it, but others are sceptical and want substantive proof of a changed life.
He also used to present the Big Brother show and would use the Hare Krishna mantra at the end. He was a New Ager, he liked Yogananda’s writings, and he appears to have decided to become a Catholic. I don’t think he has been genuinely born again but perhaps he’s a work in progress. It’s hard to say. Tucker Carlson recently had a demonic attack story and even he doesn’t seem to have gone on to be saved. It’s a bit strange but perhaps these people are phonies at the end of the day.
Nope, they spout a bunch of Christianese jargon and platitudes, and as long as they are politically aligned, their follows will not care nor look under the hood.
He may be turning… but this doesn’t mean he should be platformed, pedestaled, etc… right-wing american christians tend to do this with any celebrity they can get their grifting fingers on….no matter how spiritually immature the celebrity mark is. Overall it’s a disservice to the celebrity convert and to their audience….
Praying for Russell and all those involved. Interesting the timing of the accusations. While I understand the hesitance of victims to prosecute, I’m also aware of other forces at play. The UK has a great need for justice. Let’s hope and pray that justice is fair and balanced.
As long as Russell Brand has the support of America’s most powerful and revered Christian leaders like Tucker Carlson, Joe Rogan and Donald Trump he doesn’t have much to worry about.
Why would you refer to those three people as Christians? I don’t think they profess to be Christian.
AnnD Meyer,
Good point. That being said, I do believe Trump indeed professes faith today, possibly even Tucker. I don’t believe Rogan does or ever has.
The same Trump who admitted he didn’t need forgiveness because in his mind nothing he did required it? Perhaps you should open up your Bible and read it. To make it easier, start with the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18.
Tucker is an Episcopalian. He is aware of the problems with the Episcopal church and is I believe a sincere Christian, but he doesn’t necessarily know much biblically as his stance on Israel demonstrates.
Ana,
You are correct. I should have used the term “leaders of Christians” versus Christian leaders.
Julie used the term “Christian influencer” in the title. I like that one as well.
Donald Trump, Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan have more influence over white evangelical Christians in America than anyone else, including Jesus.
And as long as that is true, Russell Brand has nothing to worry about.
This headline is intentionally misleading. This episode in his life does not diminish his testimony, it reinforces what he has been saying the past year- A life changed by the grace of God is Christ Jesus. Should there be penalty if these accusations are true? Yes. Does it change his story? Absolutely not. The RR needs to change this headline or admit that they are not concerned about the Gospel. This is a missed opportunity to demonstrate 2 Corinthians 5:17
The headline reflects the gist of the story. The story is not about Brand’s conversion.
False dichotomy. If he is platformed by charlatans like Shawn Bolz then Brand has some serious credibility problems. If one is truly born-again they will not associate with people like Bolz. Bolz is a blatant and easily-discerned false teacher and fake prophesy hack. He is clearly marked as someone to avoid at all costs.
Brand may have converted. But you don’t just take someone’s word on that, especially when they have a past history of debauchery, abuse and just plain craziness. You test all things. If you are popular on false teachers podcasts, there is a problem there.
If Brand was truly regenerate, should he not admit his crimes to these women and take the whatever consequences, whether criminal or civil? I seem to recall a tax collector offering to pay back FOUR times what he stole after being saved by Jesus.
The credible accusations against Russel Brand are not new. Charges have come now, but the accusations were well known a couple years ago when Russel began his hard turn into right-wing-conspiracism and then “christianity” both of which netted him a larger, more supportive and more lucrative audience for his podcast.
Conservative christian influencers rushed to embrace Russel anyway, desperate for another famous face to add to their ranks. Not surprising as skepticism of the left and an embrace of Trump -far more than character and a demonstrated life of following Christ- are the most valuable currency in today’s MAGA christendom.
Most importantly, here’s hoping Russel’s victims find justice and if there are any further victims who wish to come forward that have the support to do so.
I’m an American Christian, and I’m not particularly a Russel Brand fan, but I do find it interesting that these charges have been filed in both UK and USA. Can anyone say “coordinated effort”? Russell’s conversion has resulted in him being very outspoken about politics in the UK. I think he’s being set up for some lawfare. His past sins may have made him an easier target, but it sure does smack of a political “hit job” considering the recent clamp down on free speech in the UK.
I am sure you (or others) said the same thing about Robert Morris. After all, he was charged for crimes he committed long ago. How about the fact the authorities did not know about his crimes until the news investigation.
Russell Brand was outspoken about politics and generally everything WAY BEFORE his ‘conversion’ to Christianity. The idea of a political hit job just doesn’t sit, nor does the suggestion of the UK clamping down on free speech (what does that even mean, and why is it said by Americans most years that Trump has been in power or when Nigel Farage is unhappy)?!
It’s more that his ‘conversion’ happened at a time he was talking about showing interest in different ‘spiritual’ things (of all types of religions and belief systems) and also at the exact time that formal accusations were being mad about his former life and potential crimes committed. Maybe the timing was coincidence, but it sure has felt a little TOO coincidental. ‘Oh I’m now a Christian, please accept me and trust me and stand on my side’.
There may have been some cooperation between law enforcement in both the UK and US. Law enforcement agencies cooperate with each others on a regular basis. Even when agencies are in different countries. Their cooperation does not mean that the changes are false. On the contrary, it may point to a pattern of behavior on Brand’s part.
Donna,
I hope you can come to see that when a person is accused by women in two countries of misconduct, it’s far more likely that he’s a serial victimizer than that women and governments on both sides of the pond have conspired against him.
This sort of bizarre graspin-for and belief-in far-fetched, conspiratorial, alternate explanations -rather than simply believing victimized women- is a large part of what has made progress in curbing sexual harassment and assault by powerful (usually male abusers) so hard to achieve.
If you hear multiple victims saying “I’ve been abused” and your impulse is to assume “….coordinated effort?” you might be part of the problem.
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves…
Not everyone who calls upon His name…
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not ——-?
A few key points here.
Christians are assured that there are wolves among us who claim to be sheep.
NOT everyone who claims to be a sheep is.
and….
There are Many.
Sobering.
Christian’s are quick to assume that everyone who calls upon the name of Christ Knows him. Our Christ clearly stated otherwise.
Christ is not a hall pass for harm, past, present or future.
Lori Anne Thompson,
Amen, and 100%. Kanye West, Mel Gibson, Bill Gothard, and many other loathsome reprobates have/do proclaim their alleged salvation loudly–even Adolf Hitler proudly called Jesus his “savior”. Real Christians? I think not!