A resurfaced clip from 2013 shows Russell Brand behaving inappropriately with actress and singer Katherine McPhee on The Tonight Show, leaving host Jimmy Fallon visibly uncomfortable. The footage has gained fresh attention online following Brand's recent conviction for rape and sexual assault.
In the clip, Brand, who was appearing on the show to promote a film, made clear his attraction to McPhee, who was married to Nick Cokas at the time. As she joined Brand and Fallon on stage, the comedian attempted to pull her toward his chair, and McPhee played along by sitting on his lap.
Awkward Moment on The Tonight Show
Brand hugged McPhee tightly as Fallon looked visibly stressed. "For the Queen!" Brand shouted while bouncing McPhee on his lap. Fallon responded, "No, Russell, don't even say for the Queen; you can't," as he tried to steer the interview back on track.
After McPhee got off his lap, Brand told her, "You're beautiful," and added, "I'll just be here, with my sexual charisma," before taking a seat beside her.
Brand's Comments and McPhee's Later Response
Later in the programme, Fallon asked Brand what he was thinking after a few moments of silence. Brand replied, "As you know, I've announced it, I find Katharine very attractive, and I think when she said 'exchange numbers,' I thought of things I'd like to exchange with her. Numbers. Genes. Genetic info. Data."
When McPhee mentioned she had a husband, Brand joked, "I didn't know you were married. I'm going to f*** off now," before walking off stage.
In 2023, a decade after the interview, McPhee described Brand's behaviour as "harmless." Commenting on a clip shared on Instagram, she wrote, "I know nothing [about] what you are trying to claim here, but this specific incident was over 10 years ago, and it was harmless. Please don't try to use me for whatever purpose you are trying to serve."
New Backlash After Sentencing
Following Brand's sentencing this week, the interview has garnered new views on YouTube. Commenters responded with criticism, with one writing, "Vile, putrid, sick and disgusting." Another fumed, "Look at him grab her," while a third remarked, "I'd have knocked him out clean if that was my daughter." A fourth noted, "Once a creep, always a creep. Absolutely disgusting individual."
