Long before Russell Brand was sentenced to prison for rape and sexual assault, the British comedian publicly defended Justin Bieber during one of the pop star’s most controversial moments.
In 2014, Bieber faced widespread criticism after two videos surfaced showing him using racist language as a teenager. While several celebrities condemned his behavior, Brand argued that the singer deserved an opportunity to move past mistakes made when he was younger. His comments have taken on renewed significance following Brand’s conviction and sentencing, bringing attention back to an unexpected chapter in the two entertainers’ history.
Russell Brand Defended Justin Bieber After Racist Videos Sparked Outrage
In June 2014, Brand publicly defended Bieber after footage emerged showing the singer making racist remarks when he was approximately 14 or 15 years old. According to The Independent, Brand addressed the controversy in a video, arguing that Bieber should not face lasting condemnation for something he had done as a child.
“It was ages ago when he used to have that haircut,” Brand remarked, referring to Bieber’s appearance in the footage.
He went on to criticize the way celebrities could be elevated to enormous fame before facing intense public backlash over their mistakes. Brand did not excuse the racist language itself. Instead, he emphasized Bieber’s age when the recordings were made.
“Of course it’s wrong to say the ‘N-word’, but he’s a child,” Brand said.
His position was that Bieber’s behavior deserved criticism without necessarily defining the rest of his career.
Justin Bieber Apologized After Two Offensive Videos Emerged
The controversy began when footage recorded years earlier surfaced publicly in 2014. One recording showed Bieber telling a racist joke that included the N-word, while another featured him changing the lyrics of his song “One Less Lonely Girl” to include racist language. Bieber was 20 when the videos became public, but the incidents had occurred during his teenage years. The singer issued a public apology acknowledging that his behavior was offensive and unacceptable.
In a statement reported by The Associated Press, Bieber said he had failed to understand the impact of certain words when he was younger. He apologized to those he had offended and described his conduct as a childish mistake for which he needed to take responsibility. The controversy attracted significant attention because Bieber was already one of the world’s biggest pop stars, with millions of young fans following his career.
Justin Bieber Also Received Support From Usher And Other Celebrities
Brand was not the only celebrity who publicly defended Bieber during the backlash. The singer’s longtime mentor, Usher, also addressed the controversy, suggesting that making mistakes was part of growing up and learning to take responsibility. As E! News reported, Whoopi Goldberg also discussed Bieber’s behavior, questioning how his age and upbringing influenced his understanding of the offensive language. Rapper 50 Cent similarly argued that Bieber was still young and struggling to understand himself while navigating enormous fame.
Not everyone agreed with those defenses. Actor Drake Bell publicly questioned why Bieber’s age should excuse remarks that would have brought serious consequences for other public figures. The contrasting reactions highlighted a wider debate about accountability, forgiveness, and whether childhood mistakes should follow celebrities into adulthood.
Russell Brand Sentenced To More Than 10 Years In Prison
More than a decade after defending Bieber, Brand is now facing the consequences of his own criminal conduct. On November 9, 2026, the 51-year-old was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. According to the UK Crown Prosecution Service, the offenses involved four women and occurred between 2004 and 2009.
Brand was convicted following a trial at Southwark Crown Court. He was also acquitted of two other rape charges and one count of attempted indecent assault. The convictions marked a dramatic downfall for the entertainer, who previously enjoyed a successful career in stand-up comedy, television, and Hollywood films. His sentencing has prompted renewed examination of his past public appearances, relationships, and comments about other celebrities. However, Bieber has not publicly accused Brand of misconduct, and there is no established connection between Brand’s criminal offenses and his past defense of the singer.
Justin Bieber And Russell Brand Previously Appeared Together In A Throwback Photo
Brand’s history with Bieber has already attracted renewed attention following his conviction. As previously reported by The Blast, an old photograph showing Brand with Bieber and Katy Perry at the 2010 American Music Awards resurfaced online. Bieber was just 16 at the time, while Brand was married to Perry. The image generated uncomfortable reactions from some social media users following the comedian’s conviction. However, the photograph does not establish any inappropriate conduct toward Bieber.
Brand’s defense of the singer four years later represents another documented moment in their public history, although there is no verified evidence that the two maintain a close relationship today. In 2014, Brand argued that Bieber deserved forgiveness for mistakes made during his teenage years. Twelve years later, the comedian’s own actions have resulted in a lengthy prison sentence.
