Russell Brand to make first public appearance since comedian’s UK rape charge with speech on ‘censorship’ at US college
RUSSELL Brand is to make his first public appearance since his UK rape charge, with a speech on “censorship” at a college in the US.
Last week, Brand was charged with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault.
The actor and comedian will appear as a guest speaker at New College of Florida to speak on social and political issues, as part of their Socratic Stage series.
And it has been revealed that Brand will be speaking at the event titled: “Thinking without Permission: A Conversation with Russell Brand on Free Speech, Censorship, and Cultural Power.”
This is part of its Spring 2025 series, scheduled for Saturday, New College confirmed to TMZ.
Other speakers participating in the series include President Donald Trump‘s border czer Tom Homan, as well as American lawyer and professor Alan Dershowitz.
Director of Public Policy Events at New College Alexandra Nicole Islas told TMZ: “In a time when public pressure often seeks to silence rather than engage, New College of Florida is reaffirming its role in creating space for open inquiry—not eliminating it.
“After thoughtful consideration, we have decided to move forward with Russell Brand’s scheduled appearance as part of a broader conversation on society, culture, and free speech.”
She added that this was a “reflection of our commitment to civil discourse and the belief that even challenging conversations deserve room in the public square”.
Justifying Brand’s appearance, Islas clarified that while the “justice system independently addresses other matters,” the school looks to “ensure a space” where topics like “cancel culture and free speech” can be explored separately.
Last Friday, Brand was charged with rape and sexual assault over a seven-year period.
Detectives began investigating after receiving a number of allegations in September 2023.
It followed reporting by Channel 4‘s Dispatches and The Sunday Times.
The Metropolitan Police said the charges relate to four women between 1999 and 2005.
Brand has previously denied the accusations, and said all his sexual relationships were “absolutely always consensual”.
He has been charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in the Bournemouth area and the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in 2004 in the Westminster area of London.
He has also been charged with indecently assaulting a woman in 2001 and sexually assaulting another woman between 2004 and 2005 – both offences are alleged to have taken place in Westminster, London.
Brand will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 2.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said: “The women who have made reports continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
“The Met’s investigation remains open and detectives ask anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to come forward and speak with police.”
Jaswant Narwal, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “We have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences.
“We carefully reviewed the evidence after a police investigation into allegations made following the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023.
“We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault and indecent assault.
“These relate to reported non-recent offences between 1999 and 2005, involving four women.”
Confirming when Brand will appear in court, Miss Narwal added: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
In a video posted to X on Friday afternoon, Brand denied the alleged crimes.
He said: “I’ve always told you guys, when I was young and single, before I had my wife and family, I was a fool man.
“I was a drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile. But what I never was, was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity – I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
Brand was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry between 2010 and 2012.
He hosted shows on radio and television, wrote memoirs charting his battles with drugs and alcohol and appeared in several Hollywood movies.
In recent years, Brand has largely disappeared from mainstream media but has built up a large following online with videos mixing wellness and conspiracy theories.
He recently said he had moved to the United States.