Russell Brand has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, yet several celebrities had publicly condemned his behaviour long before his crimes came to light.
The 51-year-old targeted women he encountered as he rose to fame as one of Britain's best-known stand-up comedians, a TV and radio presenter and a Hollywood actor. On Thursday (October 5), jurors delivered guilty verdicts on one rape charge and three sexual assault charges. He was acquitted of two additional rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault.
Court Proceedings and Verdict
Brand showed little reaction to the guilty verdicts, though he closed his eyes when the rape conviction was read out. He responded loudly with "yes My Lord" when told he'd be remanded in custody, after being warned he faces a substantial prison sentence.
Six women testified against Brand, while the former comedian, who was previously married to Katy Perry, failed to convince any celebrity acquaintances or former entertainment industry colleagues to appear as defence witnesses.
Katherine Ryan's Confrontation
In September 2023, it was revealed that Brand was axed from the Comedy Central series Roast Battle after co-star Katherine Ryan branded him a "sexual predator" during filming. Production insiders told Deadline that Ryan "turned the heat" on Brand, though her allegations were edited from the broadcast version.
Ryan discussed her time working on Roast Battle without mentioning Brand by name. She told Louis Theroux Interviews that she confronted a colleague, explaining: "I, in front of loads of people, in the format of the show, said to this person's face that they are a predator". According to Deadline, several sources verified that Ryan was referring to Brand.
Earlier Warnings from Fellow Comedians
Seven years prior to his death from cancer in 2021, comedian Sean Lock expressed his horror at the thought of Brand being anywhere near his daughters. During an episode of 8 Out of 10 Cats, Lock stated: "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 something like that home."
Back in 2008, Lock called Brand a "funny bloke" and "talented man" but criticised him as a "bad example" to younger comedians, suggesting he gave the impression that to succeed required disembowelling yourself for public consumption, with personal details "sold and bartered for attention".
Celebrity Encounters and Reactions
In 2006, Dannii Minogue branded Brand a "vile predator" when the singer recounted her appearance on his MTV chat show. She remarked: "[Brand] 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. He wouldn't take no for an answer." Minogue claimed that throughout the entire interview, Brand made "shocking remarks" which she couldn't repeat, saying: "Just uttering the words would make me blush."
When allegations against Brand emerged in 2023, daytime television presenter Lorraine Kelly remembered appearing with the comedian on The Graham Norton Show in 2007. Kelly played a clip from the programme on her own show, Lorraine. The footage captured Brand touching her leg and declaring: "Oh my god, you're wearing suspenders. I have been in other films but none of that matters now I know Lorraine Kelly is a s***."
The Scottish host said revisiting the clip left her feeling uncomfortable, acknowledging that while she and Brand were laughing at the time, she would now probably have said something. She continued: "It's an entertainment show. That was his shtick... That's what he was not just doing, but actively encouraged to do. It's not that long ago, not really." Kelly went on: "I do wonder if I would have put up with that now. I do wonder if we are in a different place now and if it even would have been aired."
Pop sensation Perry and Brand wed in October 2010 and announced they were divorcing 14 months later. Following the split, Perry described Brand as "controlling" and "really hurtful". She revealed to 60 Minutes Australia in 2020: "It was just like a tornado. It was like everything happening at once." Perry explained to the programme that she had always resonated with friction, resistance and challenges as she attempted to describe what originally attracted her to Brand.
