Warning: This article discusses topics of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment that may be distressing to some readers.
Russell Brand has addressed the public through a video on social media following the announcement of additional sexual offence charges against him.
On December 23, authorities declared that the comedian and actor faces further charges related to sexual assault.
Previously, Brand faced charges including two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault, and two counts of sexual assault reportedly occurring between 1999 and 2005, involving claims from four women. These accusations surfaced from an investigation carried out by the Sunday Times, the Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches in September 2023.
Brand, who is 50 years old, denied these allegations earlier this year at Southwark Crown Court in the UK.
Recently, the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that there are now two additional charges against Brand, including another count of rape and one count of sexual assault related to two women, with incidents alleged to have occurred in 2009.
In response to this development, Brand posted a video on Instagram in which he was seen driving and seemed to address the recent news.
His statement in the video largely resembled a prayer, where he described this period as ‘a time of great darkness’ and expressed his intention to clarify the truth.
In the video, he stated: “Most adored and beloved friends, season’s greetings, and it is the season of Christ Jesus, lord and savior.
“This is a time of great darkness, you are all aware of that. A time of confusion and dispute and conflict. But I have learnt in my own life that attack can bring about grace.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity in my own life that I get to participate in change and transformation and growth and love, and I feel so blessed that I have the opportunity to atone for the many things over the years that I did wrong, and the opportunity to ensure that people understand the truth of my situation and scenario.”
Brand criticized media coverage in both the US and UK over recent years and apologized to anyone he may have harmed.
He further added: “I pray Lord, anyone that I have harmed or hurt in my years of mindlessness, in sin, would be healed Lord.
“I pray for infinite light and wonderful healing for them and I pray for the absolute truth of who I am to be abundantly revealed, and who I have always been, Lord.”
Brand is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on January 20, 2026, concerning the new charges.
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues discussed in this article, you can reach out to The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Alternatively, online chat is available at online.rainn.org.