Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Comedian Russell Brand has found himself in hot water after being accused of rape, sexual assault, and abuse, which apparently took place between 2006 and 2013 at the height of his fame.
On Saturday, September 16, Metropolitan Police noted that it had been made "aware of media reports about a series of allegations of sexual assault" against the 48-year-old star and are now urging any of his alleged victims to come forward, according to Daily Mail.
As per an investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 'Dispatches', four women have alleged that the comedian sexually assaulted them during a period when he worked for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 and featured in Hollywood films.
However, Brand took to social media to "absolutely deny" the string of "very serious criminal allegations."
As the investigation into allegations against him continues, here are four crucial questions that need to be answered.
How and where the allegations against Russell Brand were revealed?
The string of bombshell allegations against Russell Brand was revealed and reported on Saturday by The Sunday Times and its sister newspaper The Times as well as Channel 4's 'Dispatches' programme.
In the coverage, one woman alleged she had been raped, while three others accused Brand of sexual assault. Additionally, one of them claimed he had been verbally and physically violent.
One woman, whom the comedian apparently referred to as a "child," also revealed that he targeted her when she was just a 16-year-old school girl and he was a refuted 30-year-old presenter.
Who are Russell Brand’s accusers?
The accusers of Russell Brand have chosen to keep their names hidden, but have been identified as Alice, Nadia, Phoebe, and Rachel by the publications that have run the expose.
Alice
One of the accusers, Alice (not her real name), was 16 and still at school when Russell Brand began an allegedly emotionally abusive and controlling relationship with her.
She was shopping outside Topshop on Oxford Street, London when Brand apparently approached her and began rifling through her bag. Their relationship lasted three months and Alice, as well as her mother, described Brand's behavior as that of "grooming."
The woman stated that towards the end of their relationship, the comedian sexually assaulted her.
"I was sat up in the bed against the headboard, and he forced his penis down my throat and I couldn’t breathe. It was just choking me and I couldn’t breathe, and I was pushing him away and he wasn’t backing off at all," told Alice to the publication.
She also alleged that Brand used jokes about his sex addiction and previous relationships to seduce women.
In late 2020, Alice did contact his literary agent, Angharad Wood, the co-founder of Tavistock Wood, to report him, but was told by Brand's lawyer that he denies the allegations, as per the Daily Mail.
Nadia
A second woman referred to as "Nadia" claimed to have had consensual sex with Russell Brand in June 2012 at his Los Angeles residence.
Nadia, a businesswoman, said she later paid the actor another visit at his house on July 1. She claimed that this time, a "naked" Brand stormed out of his bedroom and assaulted her against a wall.
She described the alleged event to The Times, claiming that she "tried to get away" before "slipping" and being trapped on a painting.
"At this point he’s grabbing at my underwear, pulling it to the side," said the woman, before stating that Brand then grabbed her and pushed up against her after she told him she wanted to leave.
The businesswoman continued by saying that the comedian then pushed her up against the wall and raped her, without protection. After the alleged attack, he sent her a text, saying, "I’m sorry. That was crazy and selfish. I hope you can forgive me."
According to The Times, Nadia opted not to file criminal charges against Brand, but the Los Angeles Police Department was made aware of the alleged assault after she allegedly visited a Santa Monica rape treatment center.
Phoebe
A third victim, identified only as "Phoebe," claims she first met Brand at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and that their brief relationship ended before he reportedly assaulted her in 2013.
She alleged the comedian tried to kiss her and remove her clothes while pining her down on his bed. "I saw something come over his eyes, I swear to God, like, black, his eyes had no more color," said Phoebe.
She told the paper Brand eventually got off her before he "flipped" and became "super angry," shouting "f**k you... you’re fired."
Rachel
A fourth victim, Rachel, who worked with Brand when he presented 'Big Brother's Big Mouth' alleged the star flashed her and made inappropriate advances at her.
She told The Times that she was 24 when he flashed his penis at her as she walked into his dressing room and claimed that the comedian "insinuated" she could perform oral sex on him.
Rachel said she was shocked by the comment and refused. The alleged victim also claimed she was unable to report what had occurred as she was afraid of losing her work.
Has Russell Brand been charged for the rape and sexual assault allegations?
Russell Brand has yet to be charged but authorities have urged any of his alleged victims to come forward, following horrific sexual allegations.
"We are aware of media reporting of a series of allegations of sexual assault. We have not received any reports in relation to this," said the Metropolitan Police in a statement.
It added, "If anyone believes they have been the victim of a sexual assault, no matter how long ago, we would encourage them to contact police."
What happens next for Russell Brand?
Following the harrowing sexual allegations, Russell Brand's talent agency terminated all ties with him saying they were "horribly misled."
Talent agency Tavistock Wood, which represents the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Lily James, Charles Dance, and Dominic West, confirmed the termination in a statement, saying, "Russell Brand categorically and vehemently denied the allegation made in 2020, but we now believe we were horribly misled by him. TW has terminated all professional ties to Brand."
In the wake of the allegations, Brand is facing severe backlash but he has denied all allegations of impropriety made against him.
In a video released to his 6.5 million YouTube followers on Friday night, Brand said he had been accused of "a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks, which are untrue," adding that the allegations related to a time when he was "in the mainstream" and "very, very promiscuous."
Several celebrities including Andrew Tate and Elon Musk have also come forward to show support for Brand during his tough time.
Former Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher, the older sister of Brand's wife Laura Gallacher, backed her brother-in-law yesterday morning by reposting his video along with a large red love heart, only to delete it around an hour after the detailed allegations were revealed.
