Shocking details unveiled: 60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes on Russell Brand’s unsolicited kiss on camera
Content warning: This article mentions sexual assault and drug use. Reader discretion is advised.
The global entertainment industry is no stranger to astonishing stories of celebrities' antics. One such story revolves around the UK's controversial comedian, Russell Brand, and a shocking interaction with 60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes, which has come under fresh scrutiny amidst recent allegations against him.
Clips from the interview resurfaced after Brand was accused of sexual, physical and verbal abuse by four different women, one of whom was a minor when the abuse allegedly happened.
Liz Hayes—now 67—reminisced about a bizarre encounter with Brand during an interview in 2012.
Hayes had been assigned to film the comedian for a segment on the show, which took an unexpected turn at the end of the interview.
In a video of the segment, Brand—a former heroin and sex addict—abruptly grabbed Hayes by the face and initiated a non-consensual kiss. In complete disbelief, she could only gasp his name in surprise.
Then the comedian exclaimed, ‘How can I undo your bra? Just like this...' As he put his arm around the reporter’s back, leaving her visibly perplexed.
A pause ensued, followed by him strutting away and shouting back, ‘Liz, I love you!’
Hayes remained professional amidst the awkward encounter, maintaining her composure despite the bizarre events unfolding.
Reflecting on the experience, Hayes conveyed that interviews can take one of any number of directions.
‘When you interview Russell Brand,’ she said in 2021, ‘you don't know who's going to show up.’
Hayes described Brand, saying, ‘The more you say “don’t”, the more he does. That’s Russell.’
'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,’ Hayes added. 'You think, "Mmm-hmm. Am I in danger? What could go wrong?"'
Before the interview, Brand warned the TV veteran, ‘I'm a tricky little swine. I'm a trickster. I'm a raven. I'm a playful coyote looking for mischief.’
'The naughty Russell ended the day,' Hayes admitted in her 2021 interview. ‘He puts a lot of energy into shocking people.’
This memory of an odd incident has received renewed attention in light of recent serious allegations against the comedian. The comic is now at the centre of grave accusations regarding rape, sexual assault and abuse.
The allegations against Brand are claimed to have occurred between 2006 and 2013, during his time as a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 in the UK before transitioning into Hollywood fame.
The explosive accusations include an incident where a 16-year-old girl alleged that she was neglected, assaulted and emotionally abused by Brand during a controlling relationship that lasted three months.
There were also reports by three other women who alleged Brand of similar sexual, physical and verbal assaults. One woman said that Brand allegedly raped her against the wall in his Los Angeles home, while another claimed that he sexually assaulted her while she worked with him and he threatened her with legal action is she told anyone.
A fourth woman claimed that she was also sexually assaulted by Brand, who was physically and emotionally abusive towards her.
In light of these accusations, Brand has firmly denied all and described them as astonishing. He also insisted that all relationships during his ’time of promiscuity’ were ‘consensual’.
He also uploaded a video to his YouTube channel, describing these allegations as 'a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks, which are untrue'.
'Amidst this litany of astonishing rather baroque attacks, often very serious allegations, that I absolutely refute. These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time when I was in the movies,’ Brand stated.
Brand was scheduled to perform at London’s Theatre Royal Windsor venue, which will still go ahead. No cancellations have been announced about his gigs in Plymouth and Wolverhampton.
You can watch the interview with Liz Hayes here:
What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The global entertainment industry is no stranger to astonishing stories of celebrities' antics. One such story revolves around the UK's controversial comedian, Russell Brand, and a shocking interaction with 60 Minutes reporter Liz Hayes, which has come under fresh scrutiny amidst recent allegations against him.
Clips from the interview resurfaced after Brand was accused of sexual, physical and verbal abuse by four different women, one of whom was a minor when the abuse allegedly happened.
Liz Hayes—now 67—reminisced about a bizarre encounter with Brand during an interview in 2012.
Hayes had been assigned to film the comedian for a segment on the show, which took an unexpected turn at the end of the interview.
In a video of the segment, Brand—a former heroin and sex addict—abruptly grabbed Hayes by the face and initiated a non-consensual kiss. In complete disbelief, she could only gasp his name in surprise.
Then the comedian exclaimed, ‘How can I undo your bra? Just like this...' As he put his arm around the reporter’s back, leaving her visibly perplexed.
A pause ensued, followed by him strutting away and shouting back, ‘Liz, I love you!’
Hayes remained professional amidst the awkward encounter, maintaining her composure despite the bizarre events unfolding.
Reflecting on the experience, Hayes conveyed that interviews can take one of any number of directions.
‘When you interview Russell Brand,’ she said in 2021, ‘you don't know who's going to show up.’
Hayes described Brand, saying, ‘The more you say “don’t”, the more he does. That’s Russell.’
'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,’ Hayes added. 'You think, "Mmm-hmm. Am I in danger? What could go wrong?"'
Before the interview, Brand warned the TV veteran, ‘I'm a tricky little swine. I'm a trickster. I'm a raven. I'm a playful coyote looking for mischief.’
'The naughty Russell ended the day,' Hayes admitted in her 2021 interview. ‘He puts a lot of energy into shocking people.’
This memory of an odd incident has received renewed attention in light of recent serious allegations against the comedian. The comic is now at the centre of grave accusations regarding rape, sexual assault and abuse.
The allegations against Brand are claimed to have occurred between 2006 and 2013, during his time as a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4 in the UK before transitioning into Hollywood fame.
The explosive accusations include an incident where a 16-year-old girl alleged that she was neglected, assaulted and emotionally abused by Brand during a controlling relationship that lasted three months.
There were also reports by three other women who alleged Brand of similar sexual, physical and verbal assaults. One woman said that Brand allegedly raped her against the wall in his Los Angeles home, while another claimed that he sexually assaulted her while she worked with him and he threatened her with legal action is she told anyone.
A fourth woman claimed that she was also sexually assaulted by Brand, who was physically and emotionally abusive towards her.
In light of these accusations, Brand has firmly denied all and described them as astonishing. He also insisted that all relationships during his ’time of promiscuity’ were ‘consensual’.
He also uploaded a video to his YouTube channel, describing these allegations as 'a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks, which are untrue'.
'Amidst this litany of astonishing rather baroque attacks, often very serious allegations, that I absolutely refute. These allegations pertain to the time when I was working in the mainstream, when I was in the newspapers all the time when I was in the movies,’ Brand stated.
Brand was scheduled to perform at London’s Theatre Royal Windsor venue, which will still go ahead. No cancellations have been announced about his gigs in Plymouth and Wolverhampton.
You can watch the interview with Liz Hayes here:
Key Takeaways
- UK comedian Russell Brand grabbed and kissed Australian TV journalist Liz Hayes during an interview in 2012.
- Brand has recently been accused of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse, including an attack on a 16-year-old girl.
- Liz Hayes addressed the incident in a retrospective special in 2021, stating she was prepared for all kinds of people in her four decades as a journalist.
- Brand has denied the allegations, claiming they pertain to his time of promiscuity and that all relationships and encounters were consensual.
What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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