<\/p>\n
Russell Brand confirmed the years-long claims that he had slept with a 16-year-old girl.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, April 22, the Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor, 50, appeared on The Megyn Kelly<\/a> Show to discuss how he managed a life in the spotlight that has involved multiple marriages and sexual misconduct allegations<\/a>.<\/p>\n Just after pleading not guilty to new charges of rape and sexual assault<\/a>, he has admitted there\u2019s some truth to the past accusations. During his podcast appearance, the actor confessed, \u201cI did sleep with a 16-year-old when I was 30,\u201d before clarifying the act was consensual and legal.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Europe and in the United Kingdom, where I\u2019m from, the age of consent is 16,\u201d he pointed out.<\/p>\n The actor also said he was a \u201cvery different person\u201d at the time. \u201cI was a lot younger and I was an immature 30 year old,\u201d he defended. Nevertheless, Russell took ownership for his actions that he describes as \u201cexploitative.\u201d He believes he used the \u201cstrong power differential\u201d to his advantage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In September 2023, the actor posted a video online \u201cabsolutely\u201d refuting the allegations, stating that all of his relationships had been “absolutely, always consensual.\u201d<\/p>\n As of February 2026, he has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial is scheduled to begin on October 12, 2026.<\/p>\n Just months before he is set to take the stand, Russell released a new spiritual memoir titled “How to Become a Christian in 7 Days.”<\/p>\n The synopsis reads, \u201cThis is New York<\/a> Times bestselling author Russell Brand’s testimony and guide to a timeless, yet zeitgeist-capturing, grounded, yet psychedelic encounter with Christ.<\/p>\n