Russell Brand has reflected on his 14-month marriage to Katy Perry and described that time of his life as “chaotic”.
The British comedian and Firework singer got engaged in 2009, several months after they first began dating.
They wed the following year but 14 months later, in December 2011, Brand filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalised in 2012.
Then in 2013, Perry shocked many when she revealed how Brand had allegedly ended their relationship via text in an emotional interview.
Eleven years on, the actor, 48, reflected on their marriage during an episode of Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge, which aired on Sunday, and how he felt “a little disconnected” during their time together.
Aside from noting how he was “most in the public eye” during their relationship, Brand praised his ex and the bond they shared.
He told Grylls: “Some aspects of [that time] were amazing, she’s like an amazing person. It was kind of incredible to live for a moment in that eye of the cyclone type aspect of fame.”
Brand explained that even though his feelings for Perry were strong, he believed their romance came at a “chaotic” time in his life.
He reflected: “Aside from my sort of feelings of affection for Katy, it’s a time that I remember has been a little bit chaotic and a bit for me, to speak for myself, a little disconnected.”
Announcing their divorce back in 2011, Brand shared in a statement: “Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage. I’ll always adore her and I know we’ll remain friends.”
Yet, two years later, Perry admitted that things were not friendly between them as she shared how she learned of their divorce, telling Vogue: “He’s a very smart man, and I was in love with him when I married him.
“Let’s just say I haven’t heard from him since he texted me saying he was divorcing me December 31, 2011.”
The Dark Horse hitmaker also claimed that their marriage didn’t work out due to Brand being unable to “handle the equalness” in their relationship.
“He didn’t like the atmosphere of me being the boss on tour. So that was really hurtful, and it was very controlling, which was upsetting,” she shared.
“I felt a lot of responsibility for it ending, but then I found out the real truth, which I can’t necessarily disclose because I keep it locked in my safe for a rainy day. I let go and I was like: ‘This isn’t because of me; this is beyond me.’ So I have moved on from that.”
Over a decade on, both have happily moved on, with Perry engaged to actor Orlando Bloom, whom she shares daughter Daisy with.
Meanwhile, Brand married Laura Gallacher in 2017 and are expecting their third child together.
