Four Women Accuse Jared Leto of Sexual Misconduct
Four women have publicly accused Oscar-winning actor and Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto of sexual misconduct, with allegations dating back more than two decades. The claims are featured in a new BBC documentary that examines accusations made against the Hollywood star.
According to the documentary, the women allege incidents that occurred between 2002 and 2016, when they were teenagers or young adults and Leto was in his 30s and 40s. Their accounts include allegations of sexual assault, grooming and sexual misconduct.
One woman alleges she was sexually assaulted at the age of 17 after meeting Leto at a motel in Las Vegas in 2002. Another claims that, when she was 19, Leto made comments she interpreted as threatening sexual assault after she was left alone with him in a hotel room.
A third woman alleges she had a sexual relationship with Leto when she was 17 in California. She claims the actor dismissed concerns about the state’s age of consent. Another woman alleges Leto groomed her from the age of 16 through repeated sexually explicit phone conversations and suggested they should have sex.
The documentary also features accounts from several other women who claim they received inappropriate or sexually explicit phone calls from Leto while they were teenagers or young adults.
In total, ten women participated in the BBC documentary, with nine speaking publicly for the first time. The BBC said it corroborated aspects of several accounts through messages, photographs and interviews with friends and family members who were told about the incidents at the time.
Two former members of Thirty Seconds to Mars’ touring team also told the documentary they were uncomfortable with the way young female fans were sometimes invited backstage or to locations where the band was staying.
Following publication of the investigation, Jared Leto denied all allegations.
In a statement released through his representatives, the actor said: “I have never sexually assaulted anyone in my entire life. These claims are absolutely and categorically false.”
Leto has previously faced similar allegations, all of which he has denied. He has remained one of Hollywood’s most recognisable actors, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2014 for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club. His acting career also includes films such as Fight Club, Blade Runner 2049, Suicide Squad and Masters of the Universe.
Alongside acting, Leto is the lead singer of the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, which continues to tour internationally.
The BBC documentary has renewed public discussion about accountability in the entertainment industry, with the allegations drawing significant attention online. No criminal charges relating to the allegations have been announced, and the claims remain allegations that Leto strongly denies.
