Katy Perry's past remarks about her marriage to Russell Brand have resurfaced following the comedian's conviction at Southwark Crown Court. A jury of eight men and four women found Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault after a three-week trial.
Marriage and Split
Perry, 42, and Brand, 51, met on the set of Get Him to the Greek in 2009 and married a year later in a traditional Hindu ceremony in India. Brand announced their separation in December 2011 after 14 months of marriage.
Speaking to Vogue in 2013, Perry said Brand had grown controlling during their relationship. She also suggested the collapse of their marriage stemmed from his struggle to accept her success as a musician and businesswoman, despite him claiming that was what he wanted.
Perry's Account of the Breakup
Perry told Vogue: "At first when I met him he wanted an equal, and I think a lot of times strong men do want an equal, but then they get that equal and they're like, I can't handle the equalness."
She added: "He didn't like the atmosphere of me being the boss on tour. So that was really hurtful, and it was very controlling, which was upsetting."
Perry also said she initially felt responsible for the split but later changed her view. She alleged Brand informed her of his intention to file for divorce via text message, saying she had not heard from him since he texted her on December 31, 2011.
Brand's Response and Legal Details
In 2025, Brand addressed the split on his podcast, later sharing the clip on X. He maintained there was nothing untoward about Perry, suggesting the relationship simply ran its course for ordinary reasons.
During their marriage, Brand also sparked controversy when he posted an unflattering photograph of Perry on Twitter, which was deleted 48 minutes later after it spread online. Fans at the time branded the move as "cruel".
Perry's name was removed from the prosecution's case against Brand, and jurors were prevented from hearing evidence about his addictions to drink and drugs. Lead prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC said in legal arguments: "The prosecution recognise that matters post 2009 involving his relationship with Katy Perry may be sensitive, as may his previous faiths, and we are content to remove these from the opening."
She also consented to removing references to Brand's baptism in the River Thames at Henley in 2024, an event attended by television personality Bear Grylls. During his testimony, Brand spoke about his brief marriage to Perry, describing how he had reached "staggering fame" during that period.
