Russell Brand is trending online following a controversial interview where he admitted to sleeping with a teenage girl when he was in his 30s.
During an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show, the comedian acknowledged a relationship from years ago, saying, “I did sleep with a 16-year-old when I was 30.” He added that the encounter took place in the U.K., where “the age of consent is 16.”
Brand continued, “When I was 30, I was a very different person. I was a lot younger, and I was an immature 30-year-old,” before going on to address the imbalance he now sees in his past relationships.
“I think [it] involves exploitation. It is exploitative,” he explained. “I recognize that my sexual conduct in the past was selfish.” Brand continued, “I did not apply enough consideration, barely any I suppose, really, to how that sex was affecting other people.”
Megyn Kelly: “It first came in this UK ‘documentary’ … I was angry when I saw that because they did it in such a compelling way. Especially the stuff about the 16-year-old that I was angry with you.”
Russell Brand: “The plain fact of it is, in Europe and in the United Kingdom,… pic.twitter.com/yex3y9lXhf
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) April 23, 2026
Brand is currently facing charges in London, where he has pleaded not guilty to allegations including sexual assault and rape connected to incidents dating back years. He has denied engaging in nonconsensual acts but acknowledged that his behavior during that period requires reflection.
“You can argue that that’s not appropriate,” Brand added. “But the age of consent is an important thing.”
“What fame gave me, what addiction fueled was opportunity for endless consent,” he said, adding that it led him to be “a hedonist and a fool.”
His trial is expected to begin later this year.