Russell Brand is back in the headlines — but this time, it’s for serious legal reasons. In April 2025, the actor and comedian was formally charged with rape and multiple counts of sexual assault involving incidents that allegedly took place between 1999 and 2005.
Before these charges became public, Brand — who is now married to his second wife, Laura Gallacher — reflected on his first marriage to pop star Katy Perry, a relationship that once captivated the tabloids and fans alike.
Here’s a closer look at their relationship, including how they met, when they got married, and why it all came to an end.
When I was married to Katy Perry, there wasn’t anything off-key with her, nor was she involved in anything nefarious.
Our marriage didn’t work out for normal, human reasons. I have nothing but respect for her!
(Plus, my daughters LOVE Katy Perry) pic.twitter.com/QwVyIKVkjs
— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) April 3, 2025
Perry and Brand first met in 2009 during the filming of Get Him to the Greek, in which Perry had a cameo role involving a kissing scene with Brand.
“When he was filming Get Him to the Greek, I did a cameo with him. My scene called for me to make out with him,” Perry told Glamour in 2010 about working with Brand two years earlier. “And on the way down the stairs after the scene, I was hopping like a bunny. I hop like a bunny when I’m happy — I get a bit childlike. He gives me the Christmas Eve jitters.”
Although the scene was ultimately cut from the film, their initial interaction sparked interest. They reconnected later that year at the MTV Video Music Awards, where Brand was hosting.
Reflecting on the moment she made the first move, Perry told Esquire in July 2010, “I was 25, 30 feet away from him. And I threw the bottle straight at him. Hit him smack dab on the head.” The move may have been unconventional, but it worked — the two were later spotted making out at an MTV VMAs after-party.
