Jared Leto denies allegations of sexual misconduct
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
Jared Leto has issued a public response to allegations of sexual misconduct made in a BBC documentary.
Released today (29 July), Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Darkest Secret features 10 women who came forward with allegations against the 54-year-old - with nine of them sharing their stories for the first time.
Leto has now called the claims 'categorically false' has he outright denies them in a statement.
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It's alleged the singer and actor abused his celebrity status in order to gain sexual favours.
Four women have accused Leto of criminal sexual conduct, with the alleged offences having taken place when they were teenagers.
Shared with LADbible by his publicist, the Masters of the Universe actor said: "I have never sexually assaulted anyone in my entire life.
"These claims are absolutely and categorically false."
The incidents reported in the BBC's documentary are alleged to have taken place between 2002 and 2016, when Leto was in his 30s and 40s.
Allegations made by the women include claims of sexual assault and statutory rape, as well as the use of explicit and inappropriate language toward teenage girls.
Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret also features two accounts from people who worked with Leto's band and they both said the staff felt uncomfortable about the way he would interact with teenage girls.
"I think everyone thought the age gap was way too big," one says.
The BBC says it has seen pictures and messages supporting the women’s stories, as well as accounts corroborated by friends and family.
One woman claims she had sex with Leto after meeting him backstage at one of his band's, Thirty Seconds to Mars, concerts.
Aged 17 at the time, Clara* claims that the star had 'shrugged off' concerns when the age of consent was brought up.
In California, it is illegal for an adult to have sex with someone under the age of 18, with the offence known as statutory rape.
A second woman accuses Leto of sexually assaulting her in a bathroom at a hotel, while a third woman claimed the now-54-year-old had threatened her with sexual assault while in a London hotel room.
And a fourth woman has also alleged that Leto used his celebrity status to make sexualised phone calls to her when she was 16-years-old. She alleges that she was later sent a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) by Leto's team to prevent her from discussing her relationship with the Morbius actor.
"This was 25 years ago… he has gotten away with it," says one of his alleged victims.
Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret is currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer, and will be airing on TV later today on BBC Three at 9pm and BBC One at 10pm.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
Topics: Jared Leto, Celebrity News
Jess Battison