A decades-old video showing comedian Russell Brand kissing Australian journalist Liz Hayes during a 2012 interview has resurfaced online, prompting widespread reaction on social media.
The footage shows the British actor sitting down with the 60 Minutes reporter before abruptly kissing her on the lips. Brand was convicted last week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
At least seven people believed to be part of Brand’s entourage watched the exchange unfold. Several appeared to laugh, while Hayes looked stunned and responded with an awkward smile.
After kissing her, Brand held Hayes with both arms and said: “See you later, Liz. All right, take care…”
Hayes gasped, “Russell,” before Brand loosened his grip and added: “How can I undo your bra? Just like this…” as he placed an arm around her back.
Hayes again reacted with surprise as Brand walked away smiling, then turned back to call out: “Liz, I love you!”
A video of controversial comedian Russell Brand kissing Australian journalist Liz Hayes during a 2012 interview has resurfaced online, sparking a strong reaction from social media users
The interview ended with Brand kissing 60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes on the lips after warning her that he was a “tricky” and mischievous guest
Hayes, now 70, revisited the encounter in a 2021 retrospective marking her four decades in journalism.
“When you interview Russell Brand you don’t really know who’s going to show up,” she said at the time.
“Seasoned as I am as a journalist, I am prepared for all events and all kinds of people.
“And when Russell Brand decided he would like to kiss me, well, you size up the situation.
“You think, ‘Mmm-hmm. Am I in danger? What could go wrong?’”
Earlier in the interview, Brand had described himself as “a tricky little swine,” a “trickster” and “a raven” who was “a playful coyote looking for mischief.”
Hayes later summed up the encounter by saying: “The naughty Russell ended the day.”
Brand (left) is believed to have been held in solitary confinement at Wandsworth Prison after being remanded in custody following his conviction, while his wife Laura Gallacher (right) has been left devastated
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Reddit users discussed the resurfaced clip this week, with some describing the footage as “horrific” and others reflecting on how attitudes toward sexual misconduct have changed since Brand was at the peak of his fame in the 2000s and early 2010s.
“It happened in 2012. He was treated for sex addiction, widely portrayed as being promiscuous, flirty and charming,” one user wrote.
“Misogyny was accommodated a lot more then,” the commenter added.
Another user said younger people may not understand “how horrific the 2000s and early 2010s were.”
“There was huge pressure for women to be good sports and not to ruin the vibes,” they wrote.
A further comment questioned why extensive evidence of alleged misconduct often becomes visible only after a prominent man faces public allegations: “Why was everyone fine with all of this for so long?”
Another person argued that anyone who challenged such behavior at the time could have been branded “a frigid feminist who can’t handle a joke.”
Hayes, 70, discussed the encounter in a 2021 retrospective about her 40-year journalism career, saying: “When you interview Russell Brand you don’t really know who’s going to show up”
A jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court found 51-year-old Brand guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women between 2004 and 2009
“These guys are always in plain sight, they just get a pass because they’re men,” another user commented.
One more person said women who spoke out were often dismissed as “trouble-making killjoys who can’t take a joke.”
Last week, jurors at London’s Southwark Crown Court found 51-year-old Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault involving four women between 2004 and 2009.
Brand appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Monday in handcuffs ahead of sentencing for the rape of a 21-year-old woman at his home and three historic sexual assault convictions involving other women.
He is believed to have been held in solitary confinement at Wandsworth Prison since being remanded in custody after his conviction on Thursday, a development reportedly leaving his wife, Laura Gallacher, devastated.
Inmates at the south London prison are reportedly taunting Brand with football-style chants calling him a “nonce,” a slang term for a sex offender. The chants have allegedly left him “cowering in fear.”
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