Russell Brand‘s short-lived marriage to Katy Perry was one of the most talked-about celebrity relationships of its time, but a former partner of the comedian has offered a different perspective on what may have driven their union. According to Brand’s ex, his decision to marry the pop star may have been tied to ambitions that went beyond romance.
Russell Brand Allegedly Wanted To Marry Someone Famous
With more details about Russell Brand’s past coming to light following his conviction for rape and sexual assault, attention has once again turned to his relationships and personal life.
In the Netflix documentary “Russell Brand: Open Secret” released on November 13, one of his former partners makes a revealing claim about his 2010 marriage to Katy Perry.
Jordan Martin was in a relationship with Brand in 2007, just a couple of years before he began dating Perry. She claims that the comedian once told her, “I should be dating somebody more famous than you.”
Reflecting on Brand’s marriage to the singer, Martin observed that it didn’t “seem real,” adding, “He’s doing exactly what he always wanted to do and be married to someone famous, which he always said he would be.”
Inside Katy Perry And Russell Brand’s Relationship
Brand first crossed paths with Perry in 2008 when the latter was asked to film a cameo appearance for “Get Him to the Greek.”
Brand proposed to the singer while on holiday in India, and in October 2010, they tied the knot in an elaborate, multi-day Hindu ceremony at the Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary in India, attended by close friends and family.
However, the romance was short-lived. The couple split in December 2011, with Brand ending the relationship via text shortly before Perry was due to take the stage for a concert in Brazil. The singer’s distress was caught on camera and became part of her tour documentary, which was released in 2012, the same year their divorce was finalized, per Entertainment Weekly.
What Katy Perry Said About Her Ex-Husband
Perry opened up about her 14-month marriage to Brand in a 2013 interview with Vogue, telling the outlet that the comedian initially wanted an “equal.” She later observed that he “can’t handle the equalness,” sharing that the comedian didn’t like the idea of her “being the boss on tour.”
The singer said Brand was “controlling,” but felt she, too, had contributed to the demise of their relationship. However, she later found out the “real truth,” which she did not share, and made the realization that their failed marriage was beyond her control.
Perry has not commented on her ex-husband’s recent conviction.
I was always convinced that Russell Brand wasn’t actually acting in this film (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”).
He was playing his rotten self.
He spoilt it for me. https://t.co/xkUnj5K1yb— Balstrode 🐶 (@Balstrode1) November 12, 2026
In the documentary, Martin also opened up about her relationship with Brand, sharing that during the filming of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” in Hawaii, he wanted her to be there with him to “stop him from ‘trying it on’ with people on set.” That was also the time when he told her he should be with someone famous.
She alleged that the comedian confessed to sleeping with a yoga instructor while they were there, reaffirming to her that it did not mean anything. “They’re objects,” Martin said of his mindset.
Martin also claimed Brand made a disparaging remark about her when he saw her sunbathing, telling her that she was dressed “like an attention-seeking tart.”
The 2008 rom-com starred Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, and Mila Kunis, with Brand portraying Aldous Snow, an eccentric, hypersexual rock star. He later reprised the role in the 2010 spin-off movie “Get Him to the Greek.”
Perry has not publicly accused her ex-husband of any sexual offenses. However, more women have since come forward with their claims against the comedian since his conviction.
In the documentary, Martin also recalled unpleasant incidents in their relationship, accusing him of sexually assaulting her in a hotel and breaking her phone when he found out that she had communicated with an ex.
In another instance, she alleged that the comedian forced her to brush her teeth as he watched her, saying that she should “taste anonymous,” as previously reported by The Blast.
Brand is serving 10 years and six months in prison for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
