A BBC investigation released recently featured four women accusing musician and actor Jared Leto of sexual assault and grooming. The alleged incidents occurred during the 2000s and 2010s when the accusers were teenagers and Leto was in his 30s and 40s. Leto, currently 54 years old, has issued a categorical denial of all allegations.
Thirty Seconds to Mars is scheduled to perform at two major UK venues next April. The End Violence Against Women coalition and Women’s Aid have publicly urged event organizers to cancel the shows in London and Manchester. A spokesperson for Women’s Aid expressed concern about platforming an alleged abuser, while Janaya Walker, interim director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, emphasized the importance of prioritizing public safety over financial considerations.
According to the BBC documentary, ten women have provided accounts to the investigation, with nine sharing their stories publicly for the first time. Some former crew members have described observing uncomfortable interactions between Leto and teenage fans, including allegations that staff were instructed to facilitate backstage access for young girls. One accuser, identified as Alex, described an encounter at a London concert venue in 2013 when she was 19 years old, saying she felt compelled to misrepresent her age to Leto.
Leto’s representatives have stated that he was contacted multiple times prior to the original BBC story’s publication but did not respond to the allegations at that time. Following the story’s release, Leto issued a statement denying the claims entirely. BBC Newsbeat contacted promoters, venues, and the band for comment regarding the campaign to cancel the upcoming concerts but received no responses.
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