Past comments about Russell Brand from high-profile celebrities, including Katy Perry, Dannii Minogue and Katherine Ryan, have resurfaced since the star was convicted of rape and sexual assault in a London court.
On Thursday (November 5), Brand, 51, was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court. The convictions related to four women, with the offences including the rape of a fan he met after a performance at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2009 and a sexual assault at a Soho bar in 2004. He was cleared by the jury of two counts of rape and one charge of attempted indecent assault.
Brand, who told his wife Laura Gallacher "I love you" after entering the dock, displayed no emotion as the jury delivered its verdicts, at the end of a trial that lasted nearly four weeks.
Dannii Minogue's "vile predator" remark
In 2006, pop star and entertainer Dannii Minogue spoke out following an appearance on Brand's MTV chat show, 1 Leicester Square. Speaking to The Mirror at a launch event, she said: "He is completely crazy and a bit of a vile predator. I certainly don't think he has cured his sex addiction, that's for sure."
Katy Perry describes Brand as "very controlling"
Pop star Katy Perry was married to Brand from October 2010 until their separation in December 2011. In a 2013 interview with Vogue, Perry described Brand's behaviour as "very controlling" and shared how upsetting the relationship had been for her.
"He didn't like the atmosphere of me being the boss on tour," Perry revealed. "So that was really hurtful, and it was very controlling, which was upsetting. I felt a lot of responsibility for it ending, but then I found out the real truth, which I can't necessarily disclose because I keep it locked in my safe for a rainy day."
Sean Lock's on-air jibes
During an episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats which aired in 2014, Lock discussed Brand with fellow panellists Melanie C and David O'Doherty, alongside presenter Jimmy Carr. The conversation turned to politics and Brand's non-fiction book Revolution, with Lock making a series of jibes at the comedian.
On the show, he said: "If he didn't wear a mask nobody would know he was there, would they. In fact, if his book is called 'Revolution' he shouldn't be out there trying to sell it, he should be trying to encourage people to steal it, shouldn't he".
Following a discussion about Brand's previous comments on his political views and voting, as well as the state of the UK Government, Lock went on to explain why he disliked the comedian. He said: "Probably the reason I hate him so much is because I'm a dad and I've got this fear that one day my daughters will bring someone like that home and he'll come in and go 'oh, oh, such pleasure to be in your charming abode'". Lock passed away of advanced lung cancer on August 16, 2021, at the age of 58.
Katherine Ryan's stand-up account
According to Deadline, comedian Katherine Ryan also previously spoke out regarding her experiences working alongside Brand on the UK version of Roast Battle. Speaking during her Sky stand-up special, Ryan recounted her hesitation to join panel shows where she might be paired with him, describing her decision to confront the situation directly on set.
She continued: "Initially, I turned the job down, and then I thought: well, he'll be there in his unnecessarily tight jeans, won't he? He'll be there, finger-banging Tucker Carlson or sucking off a Tibetan monk for views, whatever he does now … I thought I will go on the show, and I made a moral decision."
If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999.
