Topline
British comedian and actor Russell Brand has lost his book deal with London publisher Pan Macmillan as police launch a formal investigation into claims he sexually assaulted or raped multiple women at the peak of his fame between 2006 and 2013, which he has vehemently denied.
Russell Brand opens the Trew Era Cafe on March 26, 2015 in London, England.
Key Facts
Pan Macmillan imprint Bluebird has decided to “pause all future publishing” with Brand, the publisher said in a statement to Forbes Monday, news that comes as the BBC, Channel 4, production company Banijay and the Metropolitan Police all say they’ve begun inquires into the star’s treatment of women.
Brand published Recovery: Freedom from our Addictions with Pan Macmillan in 2018 and a new version was set to be released in May 2024, according to Variety, but Bluebird did not elaborate in its statement on where the future of the book stands.
Brand published four books between 2007 and 2015 with as many publishers: My Booky Wook was released in 2007 by Hodder & Stoughton, BookyWook 2 was published by HarperCollins in 2011, Revolution was released by Cornerstone in 2015 and a children’s book, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, was published in 2014 by Simon & Schuster’s Atria Books.
Four women accused Brand of sexual assault or rape in a joint investigation released by The Times of London, The Sunday Times and public broadcast station Channel 4 over the weekend.
More women have since come forward with allegations about Brand’s behavior that “have not been investigated and will now be rigorously checked” since the report was published, The Times said Monday.
Literary agency Tavistock Wood dropped Brand as a client over the weekend and the Trevi Women & Children’s Charity, a domestic abuse organization, announced Sunday it had ended its association with Brand and his charity, the addiction-related Stay Free Foundation.
Brand performed a show in his live “Bipolarisation” tour hours after the allegations broke on Saturday, but promoters said Monday all his upcoming shows, including a sold-out performance at Theatre Royal Windsor, have been postponed.
Representatives for Branded Films, Brand’s management company, nor his legal representation immediately responded to Forbes’ request for comment Monday.
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 03: A book is seen on dispaly as Russell Brand signs copies of his new book … [+]
Contra
Brand’s social media accounts have been dark since Friday when he preemptively released a statement calling the investigation into his past a “coordinated attack” by media outlets. He refuted the “extremely egregious and aggressive attacks” against him and said while he was open about his “very very promiscuous” lifestyle at the height of his fame, his relationships were “absolutely, always consensual.”
Key Background
Four women accused Brand of sexual misconduct in the investigation that the outlets say included conversations with hundreds of sources and the collection of “substantial information to corroborate their allegations.” One women, who alleges Brand raped her against a wall in his Los Angeles home in July 2012 before she immediately sought treatment at a rape crisis center, told The Times that Brand said he was “very sorry” after she told him he’d taken advantage of her. The woman, who was not identified in the investigation, said she felt like a “survivor” after speaking publicly about the incidents. Three other women also accused Brand of sexual assault and more have come forward since, the outlet said. The Metropolitan Police told The Times they have not received any reports in relation to the Brand investigation but encouraged anyone who “believes they have been the victim of a sexual assault” to contact police.
Crucial Quote
“I don’t feel like a victim now, I feel like a survivor — I’m glad I’m on the other side of it. I’m stronger,” the woman who accused Brand of rape told The Times.
Further Reading
Russell Brand’s Agents Drop Star Amid Sexual Assault Claims—And Say They Were ‘Horribly Misled’ (Forbes)
Russell Brand Accused Of Rape And Sexual Assault By Four Women, Report Says (Forbes)
Russell Brand accused of rape, sexual assaults and abuse (The Times)
How The Times and The Sunday Times investigated Russell Brand (The Times)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/09/18/russell-brand-loses-book-deal-after-sexual-assault-allegations-as-more-women-come-forward/