Russell Brand Sparks Outrage Over Katy Perry Comment

Russell Brand has once again found himself pulling his personal history into the public spotlight, this time reacting to news about his ex-wife Katy Perry’s love life. 

While speaking at a conservative political event in Arizona, the comedian made an unexpected detour into his past marriage, turning his attention to the singer’s relationship with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

The moment quickly drew attention, reopening conversations about their split and the lives they have led since.

Russell Brand addressed Perry and Trudeau while speaking to a crowd at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix on Thursday, Dec. 18. 

During his onstage remarks, Brand directly referenced his former marriage to Perry and made clear that he had strong opinions about her new romantic link. 

“Look, Katy Perry, I was married to her. I love her still, and I’m glad that her mom’s in the room to hear me say this, but look. I was okay with Orlando Bloom, but Justin Trudeau? Come on, man! Don’t put me in a category with that guy! That globalist stooge,” the 50-year-old said.

A clip of Russell Brand on stage making his controversial comments was shared on X, and it went viral in no time, sparking angry fan comments. 

Some slammed the actor, especially given his sexual assault case.

“He should be so lucky to be in the same category as Justin Trudeau, who, as far as I know, has never been accused of rape,” one person wrote.

Another commented, “Trudeau hasn’t been charged with rape. You have. I’d sit this one out, champ.”

Others called out Turning Point USA for allowing someone like Brand on such a platform. 

“Love to see Turning Point USA celebrate American talent & Art by inviting a British man to attempt comedy on stage,” one fan wrote sarcastically.

Brand’s public jab comes amid serious legal challenges of his own. 

In April 2025, he was charged with five counts of assault and rape stemming from allegations made by four women. 

One woman alleged she was raped by the actor in a town in the south of England in 1999, while another claimed she was indecently assaulted in London in 2001.

The third woman alleged Brand orally raped and sexually assaulted her in London in 2004, while the fourth claimed her sexual assault took place in London between 2004 and 2005. 

Brand has denied the allegations, and in May 2025, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

The accusations followed a 2023 joint investigation by some U.K. newspapers, which focused on the claims of five women over events that took place between 2006 and 2013, including one woman who was 16 years old at the time of the alleged incident.

Following the rape charges, Russell Brand immediately suffered a major setback. 

As The Blast reported, his planned wellness festival that was set to take place in mid-2025 was quietly canceled.

Organizers pulled the plug on the three-day event called “Community,” which promised yoga, meditation, talks on spirituality, wellness, and healthy living, and even camping experiences for ticket holders. 

Hundreds of tickets had already been sold ahead of the festival, with prices around £160 ($214) to £210 ($281), but ticketing pages went offline, and a cancellation notice appeared, telling buyers to contact organizers for refunds. 

One ticket platform’s notice read, “Please note: this event has now been cancelled, more details may be contained in the event text below. If you have purchased tickets for this event, then please contact us on 0121 472 6688 or email refunds@TheTicketSellers.co.uk.”

Amid his legal troubles, Brand has been open about his past lifestyle before a personal transformation. 

According to a report from The Blast, the “Hop” actor took to his Rumble show “Stay Free with Russell Brand” in April to speak about his former lifestyle.

Brand noted that his old self “must have been captured by a kind of darkness,” as he heavily indulged in drugs, sex, and alcohol. 

Prior to his revelation, he also spoke about his one-promiscuous lifestyle in a video on X, calling himself a fool. 

Although he admitted to being wayward in the past, Brand clarified that he never raped anyone.

“I was a drug addict, a sex addict, and an imbecile. But what I never was was a rapist,” Brand claimed. “I’ve never engaged in nonconsensual activities. I pray you can tell that by looking in my eyes.”