Russell Brand, the comedian and actor facing multiple sexual offence charges, awkwardly fumbled through a Bible on live television during an interview with Piers Morgan on Friday night. Brand, who is a born-again Christian, spent over 90 seconds trying to find a specific verse from the Book of Isaiah that he had read in court. He eventually gave up and said, 'I can't actually find the verse that I had that day, but this is good enough. This is from Isaiah 12.' The moment was widely mocked on social media, with clips circulating and users speculating whether Brand intentionally made the search cringe-inducing for dramatic effect.
Brand faces serious legal charges as he prepares for trial in June. According to the article, he is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of indecent assault. He pleaded not guilty to the two most recent sexual offence charges in February and denies all allegations. The charges span multiple accusers and incidents, though Brand maintains his innocence.
Russell Brand is a born-again Christian and said he would face prison 'with God' if found guilty.
Brand continued his book press tour ahead of the trial, appearing on Piers Morgan Uncensored on Friday night to promote his new book, How to Become a Christian in 7 Days. Morgan shared a photo of him and Brand during the interview. The book tour has included other media appearances, such as a podcast with Megyn Kelly earlier this week, where Brand admitted to an 'exploitative' past sexual relationship with a 16-year-old when he was 30, according to the article.
Brand's Christian faith has become a central theme in his public appearances. He has described himself as a born-again Christian and said he would face prison 'with God' if found guilty. During the Morgan interview, Morgan asked Brand about taking a Bible into his February court hearing addressing the allegations. Brand brought the same Bible to the TV studio as he had to Southwark Crown Court, underscoring the importance of his faith in his legal ordeal.
People who watched the interview felt it was like satire and 'something you'd watch from an episode of The Office'.
On Megyn Kelly's podcast, Brand admitted to an 'exploitative' past sexual relationship with a 16-year-old when he was 30, according to the article. The admission has drawn further scrutiny, though the context of the podcast and the specific details of the relationship remain unclear. Brand has not publicly elaborated on the admission beyond what was reported.
Public reaction to Brand's interview has been mixed, with some viewers finding the Bible search unintentionally comedic. People who watched the interview felt it was like satire and 'something you'd watch from an episode of The Office', according to Forrest Miller and other viewers on social media. The mockery has not deterred Brand from continuing his promotional activities, though the impact on his book sales or public image is not yet known.
Brand said the passage came from the Book of Isaiah.
Several unknowns remain. The specific Bible verse Brand originally intended to quote has not been identified. It is unclear whether Brand intentionally struggled to find the verse for dramatic effect or if it was a genuine mistake. The exact date of Brand's trial in June has not been confirmed, and the full context of his admission on Megyn Kelly's podcast has not been disclosed. How the public reaction to the interview will affect Brand's book sales or public image remains to be seen.
I can't actually find the verse that I had that day, but this is good enough. This is from Isaiah 12.