In an interview with Megyn Kelly released on April 22, 2026, comedian and spiritual podcaster Russell Brand admitted to having had sex with a 16-year-old girl when he was 30, describing the encounter as 'consensual' but 'exploitative.' The admission came during a discussion about allegations of sexual misconduct that have been made against him.
Brand, now 50, told Kelly that he believed the relationship was consensual at the time, but acknowledged the power imbalance due to the age difference. 'I was 30, she was 16. It was consensual, but it was exploitative,' Brand said, according to the interview transcript.
The comments have sparked renewed debate about age of consent laws and the ethics of such relationships. In the UK, where the encounter reportedly took place, the age of consent is 16, but critics argue that a 14-year age gap raises serious ethical concerns.
Brand has faced multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct since 2023, which he has consistently denied. This is the first time he has publicly acknowledged a sexual relationship with a minor, though he maintains it was legal under UK law.
