In the early 2000s, Russel Brand was the epitome of a party animal. Sassy, loud and funny, he wasn't afraid to speak his mind, even if it got him into trouble, which it often did.
When Brand and Katy Perry got married in 2010, it seemed the fun was never-ending. Then it all came tumbling down.
In December 2011, Brand shocked the couple’s fans when he informed his wife of fourteen months he was filing for divorce, via a text message. Speaking to Vogue a year later, Perry said that was the last time she heard from Brand.
It was just one on a long list of controversial moments in the life of the Sussex native, who was booted from his UK TV show when he came to work dressed as Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks.
Known for his outrageous antics, Brand was often in the news for his outbursts at award ceremonies, his drug habit, his promiscuity, and his outspoken and right-wing views. In fact, he became better known for his offstage antics than for his comedy and acting gigs.
Brand Started Out In Stand-Up
After starting out in stand-up in the UK, Brand moved on to hosting a Big Brother spinoff and working as an MTV host. The award-winning comedian built a following in America in the film Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
His hilarious performance was awarded a semi-sequel starring his largely improvised character, Aldous Snow. Unfortunately, Get Him To The Greek saw lackluster results at the box office, despite producers' high expectations.
In fact, very few of the projects he was signed for have done well. He bombed as the host of the 2008 MTV Music Video Awards. His remake of the Dudley Moore classic, Arthur, only grossed $12 million. And his 2012 FX talk show BRAND X, was canceled after just a year.
Despite positive reviews for Rock of Ages and his work as the voice of Dr Nefario in Despicable Me and its sequel, Brand’s candle seems to have burned out.
By 2012, it seemed Hollywood had left Russel Brand, and he hasn't had much good to say about it. Despite describing the concept of fame “like ashes” in his mouth, he nevertheless seems to have stepped from one kind of fame to another.
Brand Has Reinvented Himself
In 2014, Brand announced that he was "not interested in making money anymore." And so, he took the decision to give up acting and focus on what he calls his Revolution. His steps to rid himself of drug addiction have been through meditation and exercise, which he shared with viewers, helping many along the way.
Initially begun as a "Channel for enlightenment and meditation to help viewers find a different truth", his YouTube channel has, however, become something entirely different.
Today the channels pull 5.6 million subscribers, who tune in for his outspoken and controversial views on a variety of topics. Some of his views and comments have led to a backlash against Brand.
Episode titles, which started out along the lines of “This Is How Yoga Changed My Life!” and “Make The Unconscious Conscious", have given way to headings like “We Were Sold a LIE!”,“ WW3-So THIS Is Why They Want Russia War Today”, and "They Must Think We’re DUMB!!”
Brand describes himself as a “Public thought leader.”
His subjects focus largely on conspiracy theories around Covid and vaccines, although he denies being anti-vaccine. In other episodes, he’s also blamed the U.S. for the war in Ukraine. While some of his topics have huge support, he has also alienated many of his fans, who say they believe Brand has officially lost his mind.
Brand has always been fascinated by oddball ideas. He’s even admitted that growing up, he believed a lot of what conspiracy theorist David Icke pedaled in the early 2000s was true. (Icke believed humanity was being led by a reptilian race of aliens.)
Some Say Brand's Channel Has A Touch Of A Cult To It
As a self-styled guru, Brand displays an extremist mentality that some observers have labeled dangerous. In loose-fitting robe-style shirts, with his long hair flowing, there’s an undeniable touch of a cult around the shows.
He addresses his audience as "Shimmering Souls” and “Awakening Wonders”.
Never one to stay quiet, recently, Brand has been creating waves when he's interviewed. He's a notoriously outspoken studio guest, and not afraid to say what he thinks, as the presenters on MSNBC's Morning Joe discovered to their detriment.
In a style reminiscent of his old Hollywood life, Brand is attracting attention the way only he can. But he's using it in a whole new way, and his fans are loving it.
Whether his new persona is just a role he's playing, no one knows. But as long as there are viewers tuning in, Russell Brand is back in the limelight.
