Russell Brand Sparks Outrage Over Katy Perry Comment

Russell Brand has once more found himself pulling his personal history into the general public highlight, 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’ve led since.

Russell Brand addressed Perry and Trudeau while chatting with 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 latest romantic link. 

“Look, Katy Perry, I used to be married to her. I like her still, and I’m glad that her mom’s within the room to listen to me say this, but look. I used to be 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 very quickly, sparking offended fan comments. 

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

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

One other commented, “Trudeau hasn’t been charged with rape. You’ve gotten. I’d sit this one out, champ.”

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

“Like to see Turning Point USA have fun American talent & Art by inviting a British man to aim 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 4 women. 

One woman alleged she was raped by the actor in a town within the south of England in 1999, while one other 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 costs. 

The accusations followed a 2023 joint investigation by some U.K. newspapers, which focused on the claims of 5 women over events that took place between 2006 and 2013, including one woman who was 16 years old on the time of the alleged incident.

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

As The Blast reported, his planned wellness festival that was set to happen 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. 

A whole lot 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 could also be contained within the event text below. If you could 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 private transformation. 

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

Brand noted that his old self “will need to have been captured by a sort 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 idiot. 

Although he admitted to being wayward previously, Brand clarified that he never raped anyone.

“I used to be 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 may tell that by looking in my eyes.”