Celebrity5 min(s) read
Resurfaced video shows Russell Brand writing message on strip of paper to Katy Perry on red carpet
A shocking video has resurfaced online, showing Russell Brand holding an alarming message on a piece of paper during a red carpet interview with then-fiancée Katy Perry.
Last week, the 51-year-old was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault offences against four women between 2004 and 2009, and is facing a lengthy prison sentence.
Following a four-week trial, he was found not guilty on two other counts of rape and one of attempted indecent assault, as a judge told the former radio presenter to expect a "significant custodial term".
Since the conviction, old videos featuring Brand have circulated online, including footage of his relationship with Perry, now 42, whom he married in October 2010.
Russell Brand holds up 'obey' sign during interview with Katy Perry
The former couple became romantically involved after filming a cameo for 2010’s Get Him to the Greek, but their relationship was short-lived.
In March of that year, the couple appeared together at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, where they were interviewed by a reporter from GMTV.
The interviewer asked them how the award ceremony was, and Brand was starting to answer when Perry called him out for not watching the show.
He then quipped, telling a fake anecdote about the ceremony that didn't take place, and the reporter told the 'Teenage Dream' songstress: "You just put him in it right now."
Brand then said he did watch the award show while Perry told the reporter: "I call him on his bull****."
The Forgetting Sarah Marshall star then scolded Perry, telling her not to swear. The reporter interjected that it's morning television and then changed the subject by asking the 'Fireworks' singer who she was happy to see win.
At that moment, Brand took a small piece of paper that had the word "Obey" on it.
A magnified image of the paper, although blurry, appears to resemble the iconic Obey design associated with street artist Shepard Fairey.
Perry glanced at the paper and stopped speaking, while Brand answered the question himself, saying he was "happy for everyone."
She then laughed and proceeded to hold his hand. The reporter then asked the pop star, "How do you deal with this guy?"
"Um..." she said as she watched her ex-partner, who appeared to move away from the carpet. "No - He's actually hilarious," she continued, adding something about Brand making her "speechless" and how usually she's the "bubbly one," so it makes her surprised at how funny he is.
The reporter told Perry to have a lovely night and noted that she is being pulled away "back, left, and centered."
The old footage has prompted criticism from some online users, with several questioning Brand's interactions with Perry during the interview.
"What a bizarre interaction. She’s monitoring his reaction constantly, her eyes keep checking his face for signs that he’s not upset," one user said.
Another chimed in: "He's so disgusting," while a third added: "The reporter also didn’t acknowledge Brand when he first walked up & he didn’t like it. He an absolute sociopath, narcissistic abuser."
A fourth praised the interviewer, saying: "I’m grateful the interviewer tried to pull Katy aside to make sure she was okay and also let her know that his behaviour wasn’t charming or okay. kudos to her!"
Katy Perry revealed Russell Brand ended their marriage by text
The former couple got married in October 2010, separated in December 2011, and finalized their divorce in July 2012.
"Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage. I'll always adore her, and I know we'll remain friends," Brand announced in a statement at the time, per PEOPLE.
The 'Dark Horse' musician later revealed that Brand had informed her he wanted a divorce through a text message.
The emotional aftermath was documented in her 2012 concert film, Katy Perry: Part of Me, which captured the singer struggling behind the scenes before taking the stage during her tour.
Perry has never revealed what the text said, but she told Vogue in 2013: "He's a very smart man, and I was in love with him when I married him. Let's just say I haven't heard from him since he texted me saying he was divorcing me December 31, 2011."
In that same interview, she discussed her brief romance with Brand, saying the comic was "controlling" and "really hurtful," as cited by The Mirror.
"At first, when I met him, he wanted an equal, and I think a lot of times strong men do want an equal, but then they get that equal, and they're like, I can't handle the equalness. He didn't like the atmosphere of me being the boss on tour," she shared at the time.
"So that was really hurtful, and it was very controlling, which was upsetting. I felt a lot of responsibility for it ending, but then I found out the real truth, which I can't necessarily disclose because I keep it locked in my safe for a rainy day. I let go, and I was like: This isn't because of me; this is beyond me. So I have moved on from that," Perry added.
Perry also told Marie Claire that during their short-lived marriage, Brand pressured her to start a family, even though she didn’t feel ready.
"[Russell] really wanted me to have children, and I knew I wasn't ready - I think it was a way of control. I think it was part of, If I have a kid, then I would have to sacrifice - I'd have to be home more," she said. "I really wanted to, but I knew I wasn't ready for it. It wasn't like, 'Hey, let's have a kid because we're in love.'"