British actor and comedian Russell Brand’s latest interview with Megyn Kelly has sparked a debate about the age of consent in the UK and Australia.
During his interview, Brand,50, admitted to sleeping with a 16-year-old woman, a sexual encounter he called exploitative.
“In Europe and in the United Kingdom where I’m from, the age of consent is 16 and I did sleep with a 16-year-old when I was 30. But when I was 30, I was a very different person. I was a lot younger and I was an immature 30-year-old,” he said.
Russell Brand added, “I recognized that my sexual conduct in the past was selfish. I did not apply enough consideration, barely any I suppose…really, to how that sex was affecting other people.”
A large number of people weighed in on how getting sexually involved with a 16-year-old is viewed in the UK, US and Australia, despite it being legal.
Commenting on his interview, an Australian social media user wrote: “16 is the age of consent for us, too. If I had a 30yo mate tell me he liked a 16yo, I’d beg him to go to therapy and we’d never speak again.
The age of consent laws bake in a goodwill assumption that we are talking about other people of a similar age engaging in consensual sex.
e.g. 16 being the age of consent is assuming that these 16 year olds are exploring their sexuality with other 16-17 year olds, not people twice their age.
If people need this explained to them, they should be placed on a very public list and kept a few hundred metres from any schools. “
An American user said, “16 is the age of consent and some parts of the States as well. However, it’s still frowned upon. especially when the person is twice their age.”
“I’m from the UK and I think he’s a gross predator. I hate this narrative which creeps like him try to push that he’s not actually a creep,” said another.
Another added, “the age of consent in many places in the United States is 16 also so as a country we are same same.”
In February 2026, Russell Brand pleaded not guilty in a London court to two additional charges of rape and sexual assault nearly two decades ago.
Brand, once one of Britain’s most high-profile broadcasters and former husband of US. singer Katy Perry, appeared at Southwark Crown Court in London and denied accusations of raping one woman and sexually assaulting a second woman in 2009.
Brand was a regular on British screens in the 2000s. He was known for his flamboyant style and appearance, and also worked as a radio presenter for the BBC.
He also starred in a number of films including “Get Him to the Greek” in 2010, the same year he married Perry. They divorced in 2012 after 14 months of marriage.
By the early 2020s, Brand had faded from mainstream culture and has since largely appeared online, airing his views on US politics and free speech.
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