Russell Brand, the British comedian and actor, has acknowledged having "exploitative" consensual sex with a 16-year-old during the peak of his career. Speaking in an interview on Megyn Kelly’s YouTube show, Brand, 50, admitted to the encounter, which occurred when he was 30 years old, describing himself at the time as "an immature 30-year-old."

Brand characterized the relationship as involving a significant power imbalance, noting that his celebrity status gave him a considerable advantage in attracting partners. He stated that such circumstances inherently involve exploitation, and he expressed regret over his past sexual behavior, acknowledging that he showed little consideration for how his actions may have affected others.

The acknowledgment comes amid serious legal challenges for Brand. He faces trial later this year in London on multiple charges, including three counts of rape, three allegations of sexual assault, and one charge of indecent assault. The allegations involve six women and relate to incidents spanning a decade from 1999 to 2009. Brand denies all the accusations against him.

The legal proceedings are scheduled to commence on October 12 at Southwark Crown Court. Brand, who previously hosted BBC Radio 2 shows, Big Brother spin-offs, and appeared in Hollywood films, is currently out on bail pending the trial.

Under UK law, the age of consent is 16, except where an adult is in a position of trust—such as teachers, social workers, or coaches—in which case the age is 18. Brand’s acknowledgment of the age of his partner and the nature of their relationship adds a complex dimension to the ongoing legal case.

Support services for individuals affected by sexual violence are available through organizations such as Rape Crisis, which offers confidential help across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.