Brand Confesses on Megyn Kelly Show
Russell Brand has dropped a bombshell confession on The Megyn Kelly Show this week. The UK comic revealed he slept with a 16-year-old when he was 30. Yep, legal but definitely raised some eyebrows. The UK’s age of consent is 16, but let’s be honest – a 30-year-old going that low is pretty dodgy. Brand said: “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.”
Brand Calls It Exploitative
In a rare moment of self-awareness, Brand admitted his past behaviour was “exploitative.” He added: “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 can 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.” Fair play to Brand for owning up. Though many would argue that grown men chasing 16-year-olds is exactly why age of consent laws exist in the first place.
Legal Troubles Cast Dark Cloud
This bombshell comes as Brand faces serious legal heat. He’s currently charged with rape and sexual assault in the UK. His trial, initially set for June 16 at London’s Southwark Crown Court, was pushed back to October 12. Bold move to admit to controversial past acts while under such scrutiny. It remains to be seen how this revelation will affect his case.
Flashback: Too Touchy on Graham Norton
For those who remember when Brand got a little too handsy with Lorraine Kelly on The Graham Norton Show, here’s a reminder – at least she was age-appropriate!
