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Russell Brand Admits Sex With 16-Year-Old at 30, Calls It Exploitative

The on-camera admission sharpens scrutiny of power dynamics before his October trial.

Overview

  • Brand, in a Wednesday interview on The Megyn Kelly Show, said he slept with a 16-year-old when he was 30 and noted the U.K. age of consent is 16.
  • He said his past behavior was exploitative because fame created a strong power imbalance, and he described himself then as selfish and immature.
  • He has pleaded not guilty to seven charges involving six women, including rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault, tied to alleged incidents from 1999 to 2009.
  • His consolidated trial is scheduled for October 12 at Southwark Crown Court after a postponement from June to accommodate added charges.
  • Brand maintains that all past relationships were consensual, and his new admission concerns a separate encounter that he says was lawful under U.K. law.