Six more women detail misconduct allegations against Russell Brand after prison sentence

Six additional women have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct and predatory behavior by Russell Brand, according to a new investigation by the U.K. newspaper The Times. These reports emerged just days after the 51-year-old former comedian and actor was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. Brand was found guilty on Monday of raping a woman and committing three separate sexual assaults between 2004 and 2009.

The joint investigation by The Times and the Sunday Times, published on Friday, includes detailed accounts of non-consensual encounters ranging from rape to sexual harassment. The release of the article coincided with the premiere of a Netflix documentary titled Open Secret. The film explores how long-standing rumors about Brand’s unsettling behavior persisted throughout his career despite his public success.

One woman described an incident during an on-and-off relationship in the late 2000s. She stated that Brand continued having sex with her after she noticed he was not wearing a condom and told him to stop. According to her account, Brand texted her an apology afterward. She told The Times, "I justified it in my head by saying to myself: at least he admitted it."

Another accuser, who was 19 when she met Brand at one of his gigs in 2007, said she told him she was in pain during a sexual encounter but he did not stop. She recalled him telling her afterwards, "Tonight was consensual. Nobody did anything they didn’t want to do." She added that this statement made her realize he knew his actions were wrong.

Many of the women interviewed described meeting Brand at comedy performances. They reported feeling that he used his celebrity status to manipulate them into hotel rooms, where his demeanor changed significantly. One woman noted the sharp contrast between his initial "affable, charming, sort of dandyish persona" and the "really crude and direct person" she encountered in his hotel room. She alleged he abruptly groped her and shoved his hand down her pants.

The investigation highlights a recurring fear among the women that they would not be believed if they came forward. This sentiment echoes the testimony of the woman who testified against Brand at his trial. In a statement read by prosecutors, that victim said, "his fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance, which made me feel powerless."

Brand first rose to prominence on the U.K. comedy circuit in the late 1990s. He later gained international recognition through film roles in movies such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, and Arthur. His public profile increased further following a brief and highly publicized marriage to singer Katy Perry.

Allegations against Brand were first brought to light in 2023 by The Times, the Sunday Times, and Channel 4's Dispatches. Following these reports, more women spoke with police and media outlets, prompting London's Metropolitan Police to open an investigation. Brand denied all charges during his four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court in London, maintaining that the encounters were consensual.

While Brand was acquitted of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault, police are still investigating two other alleged rapes. One of these involves a girl who was 16 at the time. CBC News has reached out to Brand's lawyer for comment on the new allegations.

The Netflix documentary Open Secret tracks Brand's career from his early stage success to his later shift into a far-right religious influencer. The film features archival footage, including an on-stage question and answer session where Brand described himself as a "bloke from Essex" and added, "I also raped someone once." An ex-girlfriend appearing in the documentary, Jordan Martin, described Brand as controlling and abusive.