Samantha Pressdee has spoken publicly about her past encounter with Russell Brand. The British comedian described their brief romantic involvement during an interview with Megyn Kelly. Her comments came after Brand was sentenced following his criminal convictions.
Russell Brand’s “one-time fling” Samantha Pressdee defends him amid rape conviction on Megyn Kelly show
Pressdee, a British stand-up comedian, said she first met Brand in 2006. She recalled meeting him at a bar where his writing partner was DJing. According to her account, Brand invited her to accompany him home.
“He’s like, ‘Come on, it’ll be an adventure,’” Pressdee recalled. She said they subsequently had a brief romantic encounter. However, she emphasized that she eventually refused his advances.
“I said no to him at the most frustrating possible moment,” she explained. Pressdee then described his response as respectful. “And he was a perfect gentleman about it,” she added.
She also said she continued caring about Brand over the years. The two reportedly reconnected around 2013 through their involvement in activism. Pressdee claimed she regularly encountered him within their shared circles.
Pressdee also challenged claims that Brand’s alleged behavior was an “open secret.” She said nobody in the comedy industry had warned her about him. However, her personal experience does not establish what happened in his other encounters.
Her interview also addressed Brand’s recent criminal case. A London jury convicted him of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He subsequently received a sentence of 10 years and six months. Brand was convicted of offenses involving four women between 2004 and 2009.
During the conversation, Pressdee said she had offered to provide character evidence. She claimed she contacted Brand’s legal team but received no response. She said she wished she had pursued the offer further.
The interview presented Pressdee’s account of a personal encounter from nearly two decades ago. Her description of that experience does not negate Brand’s convictions. The distinction remains important when discussing his criminal proceedings.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
