Russell Brand is turning to faith in the aftermath of his sexual assault allegations, announcing his plans to be baptised in an attempt to move forward.
The disgraced comedian hit headlines nationwide last year when he was accused of rape, assault, and emotional abuse as part of a joint investigation byChannel 4’s Dispatches programme, The Times, and Sunday Times.
Brand has strongly denied all accusations about his behaviour at the height of his fame between 2006 and 2013, and recently told former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in a YouTube interview that the claims were ‘very, very hurtful’.
Now, the Get Him to the Greek actor has shared he is being baptised, culminating a lengthy journey exploring Christianity.
Taking to social media this weekend, Brand said in a video: ‘This Sunday, I’m taking the plunge. I’m getting baptised.’
He added that he views baptism as ‘an opportunity to die and be reborn.’
‘An opportunity to leave the past behind and be reborn in Christ’s name, like it says in Galatians,’ he said.
‘That you can live as an enlightened and awakened person.’
The former comedian said he was ‘thinking about doing it in the River Thames’.
He ended his video with: ‘I may be leaving behind the sins, but I might be picking up some pretty serious viruses.’
After Brand posted the video, he was inundated with comments.
One surprising supporter came in the form of pop star Nicole Scherzinger.
She wrote: ‘Amen! So awesome you are doing this! Jesus is the way! You will be reborn, renewed and cleansed! Maybe just don’t do it in the Thames🙈🙏🏽 praying for you 🥰’
Brand has been discussing his faith for some time online.
In December 2023, the divisive celebrity began publishing photos and videos where he discussed his relationship with Christianity.
Most recently, in relation to the accusations against him, Brand claimed that one of his sexual assault accusers has a ‘faulty memory’ as he issued a grim rant.
In November, a woman filed a civil lawsuit against Brand, alleging that he exposed himself to her, and later assaulted her in a bathroom while production staff guarded the door.
The assault is alleged to have happened at a restaurant in New York in 2010, while she worked on the film Arthur which starred Brand in the leading role; he was engaged to musician Katy Perry at the time.
Legal papers filed by Brand in response saw the political commentator claim he did not know or recognise the woman, nor does he now remember ever speaking to her.
The alleged victim, known only as Jane Doe in the filing, was an extra on the film with Brand.
She claimed he ‘appeared intoxicated, smelled of alcohol and was carrying a bottle of vodka on set.’
Brand’s legal papers, however, claimed that he was simply acting drunk on set as it was part of his character.
His lawyer also claimed the woman had a ‘faulty memory of the events she alleged in her complaints,’ saying it was ‘fatal to her claims.’
Meanwhile, the boss of Channel 4 previously apologised to a former staff member for not investigating a ‘serious’ allegation made against Brand in 2009.
However, the broadcaster found ‘no evidence’ that staff at the network knew about the accusations made by four women in a Dispatches documentary prior to it being aired in September.
Channel 4’s chief executive Alex Mahon said: ‘Whilst the investigation did not find any evidence to suggest that any Channel 4 employees were aware of Russell Brand’s alleged behaviour contained in the programme, it did find that one former Channel 4 employee made a serious and concerning allegation about Russell Brand in 2009.
‘This was not escalated to Channel 4’s then senior management team, nor investigated as it should have been. I have apologised on behalf of the organisation to the individual for this breakdown and for the distress this matter has caused.’
She added that ‘it is a matter of regret for our industry that repugnant behaviours were tolerated – and indeed appeared on-air – in the past’ and she was committed to staff and external suppliers not having to experience ‘inappropriate behaviour’ again.
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