Russell Brand refused to address his sex scandal at his stand-up show – which went ahead hours after he was accused by four women of rape, sexual assaults and emotional and physical abuse.
Russell Brand refused to address his sex scandal at his stand-up show – which went ahead hours after he was accused by four women of rape, sexual assaults and emotional and physical abuse
The 48-year-old comic appeared at his scheduled ‘Bipolarisation’ show at Wembley Park Theatre, London, on Saturday (16.09.23) evening in the wake of the accusations, which were part of a major investigation by The Times and Channel 4.
He held his sold-out gig in front of 2,000 adoring fans – many of whom held up signs backing him – ahead of the showing of a special documentary into the claims which will air on Channel 4 at 9pm UK time, called ‘Russell Brand: In Plain Sight’.
Russell walked on stage at the gig to applause and cheers, after songs including David Bowie’s ‘Rebel Rebel’ were played.
He then told the crowd: “I really appreciate your support. I love you.
“I want to do a fantastic show for you. I’ve got a lot of things to talk to you about.
“There are obviously some things that I absolutely cannot talk about – and I appreciate that you will understand.”
A man who looked like Russell walked past the stage minutes after the show started – and the comic joked he was a body double which he said “might come in handy”.
Russell’s four alleged victims say they were involved in abusive relationships’ with the comic from 2006 and 2013 at the height of his fame.
The comic refused to address their allegations despite posting a 2 minute, 45 second video on X and YouTube strongly denying the claims.
His clip went out hours before The Times printed his alleged victims’ harrowing accounts of his apparent abuse.
Former heroin addict Russell – who has reinvented himself as a self-help guru since ditching the drink and drugs he was doing when he found fame – said in his video denial he went through a period of being “very, very promiscuous” and any relationships he had during that time were all consensual.
One woman alleges Russell raped her against a wall in his Los Angeles home.
The Times said she was treated at a rape crisis centre on the same day.
A second woman alleges the actor assaulted her when he was 31 and she was 16 and still at school.
She said he referred to her as “The Child” during an allegedly “emotionally abusive and controlling relationship” that reportedly lasted for about three months.
The woman alleges during one encounter, she tried to push Russell off her and had to punch him in the stomach to make him stop.
A third woman claims Russell sexually assaulted her while she worked with him in Los Angeles, and that he threatened to take legal action if she told anyone else about her allegation.
The fourth detailed how she was allegedly sexually assaulted by Russell and said he was physically and emotionally abusive towards her.
All said they felt ready to speak only after being approached by reporters.
The Times said about other women accusing him that he allegedly subjected them to “physical and emotional abuse” as well as “sexual harassment and bullying”.
It added in its investigation piece: “Most of the women, who do not know each other, have chosen to remain anonymous.”
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