Russell Brand was today accused of deliberately building an online cult following to make him invincible and protect the millions in revenue generated from his videos about “feel good” and conspiracy theories.
The comedian, actor and wellness guru has added 5 million subscribers on YouTube and has had his content viewed more than a billion times since the Me Too movement launched in 2017, MailOnline can reveal.
Experts estimate that by making five short videos a week he will have earned £1million a year from YouTube via advertising, excluding merchandising and sponsorships.
Now the streaming giant has cut his revenue by blocking him from making money through his channel for “violating our Creator Responsibility Policy” – but he can still make movies for his legion of fans.
Critics, fellow comedians and pundits accused Brand of “nurturing” an online “cult” and claimed it was deliberate because he knew he would be accused of abusing women.
Canadian feminist author and social activist Naomi Klein tweeted: “Of course Russell Brand supporters deny the allegations. He has trained the public to deny/disbelieve everything they see and hear, which is very different from healthy skepticism.
“This instinctive denial is precisely why people with lots of skeletons in the closet love conspiracy culture: they have a built-in defense against responsibility. It’s still a conspiracy. I met Brand, was on his show (years ago). It took a lot of courage for these women to come forward. They have all my solidarity.
Comedian Rosie Holt said: “I guess the lesson is kids, if rumors of sexual misconduct have been circulating about you for ages, start a cult on YouTube to support you when the allegations become public.”
The comedian has vigorously denied allegations that he raped, sexually assaulted and emotionally abused several women. Pictured: The brand in a video posted to social media denying the allegations before they were published
Critics believe Brand’s online presence and choice of topics, including conspiracy theories, are a ploy.
Fans insist Brand is the victim of a conspiracy
An American writer tweeted: “Russell Brand knew this day was coming for him since October 2017.
“Since then, he has strategically cultivated and nurtured a new, mentally malleable cult that distrusts women and the media so that he can continue to get high on his other drug of choice – the spotlight.”
The comic has received online support from Andrew Tate and Elon Musk and his fans were out in force at a concert at Wembley on Saturday to show their support.
Far-right radio host Alex Jones, who owes $1.5 billion in damages to the families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting, said: “The matrix is in take on Russell Brand, anyone who challenges the globalists, anyone who challenges the big guys” The pharmaceutical industry, anyone who is popular, who speaks out against the establishment… will be accused of assaulting women. Now, because he is speaking out against the New World Order, the allegations are suddenly coming to him.
One fan said after allegations he abused women: “Somewhere along the way, Russell Brand woke up and became a powerful voice of dissent that no longer served his agenda. No wonder they are desperate to destroy it.
Mark Borkowski, the PR guru believes Brand has built a “cult” online that may be willing to support him despite “horrific” accusations about his treatment of women.
Another said: “I’m aware you’ve been saying in the comments for a while, take care Russell. They are coming for you. You’re getting too close to the truth. A third said: “I’ve never seen women throw themselves at someone like him… No one has ever accused him of assault. Now, because he is speaking out against the new world order, the allegations are suddenly coming to him. Then, for greater clarity: “I’m on Russell Brand’s side, he’s completely innocent.”
The investigation by Channel 4, The Times and Sunday Times began four years ago. Around the same time, he retired from much of his television and film work.
During this period, his subscribers on YouTube increased from around 1 million to 6 million. Its total video views have grown from around 100 million to over a billion since 2019.
His net worth has been estimated at between £15 million and £40 million – with YouTube experts claiming he earns $61,000 a month from YouTube, plus potentially another $100,000 a month from merchandise and paid subscriptions to his podcast.
Russell Brand’s YouTube subscriptions and video views have exploded since 2017
He lives with his wife Laura Gallacher in their £3 million riverside home in Henley, Oxfordshire.
PR experts said this army of fans means it will never be canceled.
Mark Borkowski believes that the actor, accused of rape, sexual assault and psychological violence by several women, has declared war on the mainstream media.
He said: “The crimes he is accused of are horrific and damaging to him and the people who cared for him at the time.”
PR guru says some his fan base will remain intact thanks to the “free and unregulated world of social media” – and raises serious questions for the BBC and Channel 4.
Mr Borkowski said Brand had 11 million followers on Twitter alone, 6.6 million subscribers on YouTube and a hugely popular wellness podcast. These fans could choose to support him.
“He (Brand) has an audience and many, many people who are interested in his content.”
Russell Brand, pictured at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theater on Saturday night, looks set to retain much of his fan base despite the allegations against him.
He added that the comedian’s denial of the accusations was reminiscent of how Donald Trump handled accusations of inappropriate behavior.
Mr Borkowski said: “I think a lot of people will support it. Normally with such allegations your career would be over, but interestingly not in this case.
“It’s a great content generator. He didn’t get to the top of his profession because he’s mediocre. He has the power to captivate his audience.
Brand, 48, was accused of assaulting four women between 2006 and 2013, while he worked as a presenter for BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4, and then as an actor in Hollywood. Other women have made a range of accusations of controlling, abusive and predatory behavior.
Mr Borkowski said: “This raises questions against someone who has been given a certain amount of power because of his talent and meteoric rise.
“This questions Russell Brand but also those responsible for the governance of television. There will be a lot of people looking at themselves this morning – those in power today will not be the same people who presided over all of this.
Brand has since been dropped by a women’s charity he worked with, while TV production companies and networks have launched investigations into his alleged behavior.
Mr Borkowski added: “There are questions about whether he will face police action, but the question at the moment is about social media – the man will not get a fair trial when the police have the evidence to prosecute him.”
“More people might come forward, more people might see an opportunity. This is a very complex case, mixed with old media and social networks.
