English comedian, actor, and podcaster Russell Brand finds himself entangled in legal turmoil as he faces charges of rape and sexual assault in the UK. This development comes amidst a peculiar connection to India, where he married American singer Katy Perry in a Hindu ceremony back in 2010.

Just hours before the charges were announced, Brand candidly discussed his divorce from Perry during an episode of his podcast, shedding light on their brief but high-profile marriage that ended in 2012. The couple's union, held near the Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary in Rajasthan, marked a notable chapter in both their lives.

The charges against Brand include one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault, spanning alleged incidents between 1999 and 2005. These allegations surfaced following a 2023 investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4's Dispatches, involving accusations from four women.

In response to the charges, Brand vehemently denied any wrongdoing, addressing the accusations in a video statement where he acknowledged his troubled past but insisted that the current allegations were unfounded. "I was a drug and sex addict," he admitted in the video, reflecting on a chaotic stretch that saw him using marijuana, ecstasy, LSD, and more by 16. "I've made mistakes, but not these," he added, doubling down on his innocence. He is set to appear in court on May 2 to contest the charges.

Brand, known for his controversial past involving addiction struggles and career setbacks, including a period of heroin addiction and subsequent legal troubles, has faced public scrutiny throughout his career. Despite his challenges, he has maintained a vocal presence through various media platforms, navigating controversies and personal revelations with a mix of defiance and introspection.

On Thursday, in his podcast, the actor said, “What can I tell you is, when I was married to Katy Perry, she's like a­—not entirely normal, because she's an extraordinary, massive star­—but she's not weird or off key,” adding, “And wasn't involved in anything nefarious, as far as I could tell.”

Brand went on to explain that their marriage did not work out because of “the normal human reasons marriages don't work.” “I have nothing but respect for her,” he added. The Get Him to the Greek star also noted their differences. “I obviously disagree with her political views,” he said of Perry.

As the legal proceedings unfold, opinions among his followers remain divided, with some expressing support for his past efforts to reform while others await the court's decision on the serious allegations he now confronts.