Russell Brand Dropped by Agent After Rape and Sexual Assault Accusations
Women’s charity that the actor-comedian raised funds for also cuts ties: “We are deeply saddened and upset by the stories”
Russell Brand GETTY IMAGES FOR THE RECORDING ACADEMY
Russell Brand was dropped by his agent Saturday following the accusations of rape and sexual assault against the actor-comedian in a new investigative report.
Among the claims against Brand include an alleged three-month relationship with a then-16-year-old girl. According to the joint The Times UK and Channel 4’s Dispatches report, Brand was “emotionally and sexually abusive” during their time together, and one point “forced his penis down her throat,” causing her to choke. She also claimed that Brand — who referred to her as “the child” — asked her to read passages of Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita.
Years later, in 2020, the woman went to Brand’s agency Tavistock Wood to tell them about the relationship and sought an apology; instead, she received a letter from Brand’s lawyer accusing her of seeking money. (The woman also alleged that Tavistock Wood was aware of her relationship with Brand — the age of consent in England is 16 — and that the agency recommended that the actor not be seen in public with the 16-year-old.)
Following the accusations from four women in The Times UK and Dispatches report, Tavistock Wood released a statement Saturday announcing they’ve dropped Brand as a client. “Russell Brand categorically and vehemently denied the allegation made in 2020, but we now believe we were horribly misled by him,” the statement read (via The Independent). “TW has terminated all professional ties to Brand.”
Similarly, Trevi Women, a charity that supports mothers dealing with substance abuse and addiction, announced Saturday they were cutting ties with Brand, who in 2022 helped raise money for the charity through his own Stay Free foundation.
“We are deeply saddened and upset by the stories reported on this evening’s Channel 4 Dispatches programme regarding Russell Brand,” Trevi Women wrote on social media.
“Russell became aware of our charity in 2022 after hearing about some of the incredible mothers we have helped to become drug-free over the years. He wanted to support our cause and raise money through his Stay Free Foundation. Today’s media revelations have been difficult to process but our priority remains and continues to be the safety and well-being of all women and girls now and in the future. We have ended our association with Russell Brand and the Stay Free Foundation.”
Trevi Women continued, “As a charity whose values put women’s voices at the heart of what we do, we always prioritize supporting women affected by violence and abuse and empower them to live without violence and fear.”
Despite the allegations against Brand — all of which he preemptively denied in a video posted on social media — he took the stage Saturday night for a London performance of his Bipolarisation tour, where he was greeted by a standing ovation by the crowd of 2,000 people, the BBC reported.
Brand did not discuss the accusations onstage — “There are obviously some things that I absolutely cannot talk about and I appreciate that you will understand” — and appeared to be distracted during the second half of the show.
From Rolling Stone US.
