Four women have accused Oscar-winning actor and Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto of criminal sexual conduct, with the alleged offences having taken place when they were teenagers. One woman says she was sexually assaulted in a motel bathroom at age 17, while another claims the Hollywood star threatened her with sexual assault when she was 19. A third describes under-age sex with Leto in California when she was 17—classified as statutory rape in the state. A fourth alleges grooming through sexually explicit phone calls beginning when she was 16. The accounts are detailed in a new BBC documentary, Jared Leto: Hollywood's Dark Secret, in which nine of ten women share their stories publicly for the first time.
A Pattern of Allegations
All the women say they encountered Leto between 2002 and 2016, when he was in his 30s and 40s. The BBC has corroborated many accounts with friends and family who were told at the time, and has seen pictures and messages supporting the claims. Two male former crew members for Leto’s band also described discomfort at how the star interacted with teenage girls. Despite repeated attempts, Leto has not responded to the allegations.
The Accusers' Stories
Isabel (not her real name) says she was sexually assaulted in 2002 when she was 17. After meeting Leto at a Las Vegas store where she worked, she agreed to meet him at his hotel, which turned out to be a “dingy gross motel.” She says Leto called her into the bathroom while he showered, opened the curtain, kissed her, and forced her hand to masturbate him. She pulled away and left. She realized later he was in his 30s.
Alex was 19 when she met Leto at a concert in London in 2013. She says she told him she was 17, to which he replied, “Age is just a number, and anyway, we're in Europe.” After being lured to a hotel room alone, Leto allegedly threatened her with sexual assault, saying she would wake up “with a dick in her ass” if she slept on the sofa. She fled.
Clara alleges she had under-age sex with Leto in California when she was 17 and he was 34. She says he asked her to call him “daddy” and disregarded her mention that the age of consent was 18. The encounters occurred after a band associate approached her backstage.
Etta was 16 when she met Leto at a modelling agency. He asked for her email, then began making sexually explicit phone calls, asking about her virginity and suggesting they have sex. He later sent her a non-disclosure agreement, which she refused to sign.
Taylor was 14 when Leto made a lewd comment about her chest during an autograph signing at a festival. He told a security guard to take her backstage. Her mother confronted him, but he repeated the comment. Taylor says the encounter stopped her from attending concerts for years.
Background on Jared Leto
Jared Leto rose to prominence in the 1990s with films such as Fight Club and Requiem for a Dream. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2014 for his role in Dallas Buyers Club. He founded the band Thirty Seconds to Mars in 1998, which has released several multi-platinum albums and toured globally. Leto has also starred in major franchises including Blade Runner 2049, Suicide Squad, and the upcoming Masters of the Universe. The band is scheduled to tour Europe and the UK in spring 2025, with dates at London's O2 Arena and Manchester's Co-op Live.
Previous Allegations and Broader Context
Allegations against Leto have circulated for decades. The BBC counted over 120 online accusations. In 2023, Los Angeles DJ Allie Teilz posted on social media that Leto assaulted her when she was 17, prompting others to come forward. Also in 2023, nine women accused him of sexual impropriety in an article by Air Mail, which he denied. The new documentary provides the most detailed accounts yet, with multiple accusers speaking on record. The MeToo movement has led to increased scrutiny of powerful figures in entertainment, and Leto's case adds to a growing list of high-profile allegations against celebrities from the 2000s and 2010s.
Documentary and Response
In the BBC documentary, two former crew members say they were uncomfortable with Leto's pattern of inviting teenage girls backstage and to his recording house. One ex-crew member described being tasked with calling modelling agencies to offer female models free VIP tickets—a request he says came directly from Leto. The BBC has seen the NDA sent to Etta and corresponding texts. Leto's representatives did not respond to repeated requests for comment. The documentary airs as the band continues its tour, and the accusers hope their stories will prevent further harm.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment News