Social media users react to ‘horrific’ footage of Russell Brand’s ‘creepy’ act with Aussie journalist as comedian is sentenced for rape: ‘If you called it out you’d be called a frigid feminist’

A resurfaced video showing controversial comedian Russell Brand kissing an Australian journalist during a 2012 interview has shocked social media users. 

In the clip, the British actor, who was last week convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, sat down with 60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes, with their chat ending in a forceful kiss on the lips.  

A crowd of at least seven of Brand’s apparent entourage watched on as the incident unfolded, with several laughing along with Brand while Hayes was left visibly shocked by the ordeal, grinning awkwardly.

After planting a kiss on the reporter, Brand used both arms to hold her, saying: ‘See you later, Liz. All right, take care…’

She gasped ‘Russell’ and he then partially released her from his grip just long enough to say: ‘How can I undo your bra? Just like this…’ as he put his arm on her back.

Hayes then gasped in shock as he strutted away grinning before turning around and saying: ‘Liz, I love you!’

Liz, 70, relived the moment in a retrospective special in 2021 when she looked back on 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?”‘

Brand had earlier warned her in the interview: ‘I’m a tricky little swine. I’m a trickster. I’m a raven. I’m a playful coyote looking for mischief.’

Hayes admitted: ‘The naughty Russell ended the day.’

Social media users on Reddit reacted to the clip this week, with some calling it ‘horrific’ and others pointing out that times have changed since the early 2000s, when Brand was at the height of his fame. 

‘It happened in 2012. He was treated for sex addiction, widely portrayed as being promiscuous, flirty and charming. Misogyny was accommodated a lot more then,’ wrote one person. 

Another said: ‘I think it’s easy for people to forget or have been so young that they aren’t aware of how horrific the 2000s and early 2010s were. There was huge pressure for women to be good sports and not to ruin the vibes.’

‘If you DID call out this behaviour in 2012, you would’ve been called a frigid feminist who can’t handle a joke,’ commented someone else. 

‘These guys are always in plain sight, they just get a pass because they’re men,’ said someone else. 

One more person weighed in: ‘If women ever complained or said anything about it, they’re dismissed as trouble-making killjoys who can’t take a joke.’

Last week, a jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court found Brand, 51, guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women between 2004 and 2009.

Brand returned to Southwark Crown Court on Monday in handcuffs to be sentenced for raping a 21-year-old at his home and three historic counts of sexually assaulting other women.

He is believed to have been in solitary confinement at Wandsworth Prison since he was remanded into custody after being convicted by jurors on Thursday, leaving wife Laura Gallacher bereft.

Fellow inmates at the south London jail are said to be taunting Brand with football-style chants describing him as a nonce – slang for sex offender – which have apparently left him ‘cowering in fear’.