Jared Leto accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women
Several women have accused actor Jared Leto of criminal sexual conduct when they were teenagers, according to reports.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Several women have accused the Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto of criminal sexual conduct, with the alleged offences taking place when they were teenagers. The claims come from a BBC investigation that spoke to 10 women, four of whom are accusing Leto of criminal sexual misconduct. The actor has denied the allegations, saying in a statement to US media: "I've never sexually assaulted anyone in my entire life" and that the claims are "absolutely and categorically false". He did not respond to the detailed allegations put to him by the BBC.
One of the accusers, referred to as Clara, said she was 17 when she met Leto backstage at a concert by his band, 30 Seconds to Mars, in the mid-2000s. She said they began texting and later met at an exclusive hotel, where Leto discussed the age of consent. She told the BBC: "I had mentioned to him my dad was in law enforcement that I knew with certainty that here in California the age of consent is 18. He just kind of shrugged it off like it wasn't a huge concern for him." She says Leto then invited her and a friend to his house, where he suggested the friend wait in another room while they had sex. Her age at the time means this would be classed as statutory rape in California, where the age of consent is 18.
Another woman, who has waived her right to anonymity and is referred to as Isabel, said she was 17 when Leto visited the shop where she worked and asked her to meet him at his motel room after work. She said she was asked inside and sexually assaulted. She told the BBC: "I don't think I ever, so recently, ever blamed him. I always blamed me."
The other allegations include one of grooming and another of threatening sexual assault. It is not the first time Leto has faced such claims. An investigation by US publication Air Mail last year was met with a flat denial from the actor. Despite years of rumours, his Hollywood career has not been held back. But these new allegations could prove harder to ignore. Leto is due to return to the stage next year for a high-profile tour with his band, placing him back in the spotlight. The BBC documentary "Jared Leto, Hollywood's Dark Secret" is available on BBC iPlayer.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News | BBC One | BBC Two |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four women accused Jared Leto of criminal sexual misconduct that allegedly occurred when they were teenagers. | |||
| Jared Leto denied the allegations, stating he has never sexually assaulted anyone. | |||
| Leto is due to return to the stage next year for a high-profile tour with his band. | |||
| A woman named Clara alleged she had sex with Jared Leto when she was 17, which would be statutory rape in California. | · | ||
| A woman named Isabel alleged Jared Leto sexually assaulted her when she was 17 after inviting her to his motel room. | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC ONE West presented the story as a serious investigative report, including a content warning and a focus on the legal implications of the allegations, such as statutory rape. The broadcast also highlighted the availability of the documentary on iPlayer. The tone was neutral but emphasised the gravity of the claims, including a quote from the film 'Dazed and Confused' that was used to illustrate the actor's alleged behaviour.
- “Several women have accused the Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto of criminal sexual conduct, claiming the alleged offences took place when they were teenagers.”
- “The actor hasn't responded to the detailed allegations made by the BBC, but in a statement to US media today, Mr Leto said, I've never sexually assaulted anyone in my entire life, and added these claims are absolutely and categorically false.”
- “That's what I like about high school girls. I keep getting older and they just say the same age.”
BBC NEWS framed the story as a major BBC investigation, with a strong focus on the emotional impact on the accusers, particularly Isabel's tearful account. The broadcast included a support line for viewers and repeated the actor's denial. The tone was sympathetic to the accusers while maintaining journalistic neutrality, and the report ended by noting Leto's upcoming tour.
- “The Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto has denied allegations of criminal sexual conduct that had been made against him by several women in a BBC investigation.”
- “I don't think I ever, so recently, ever blamed him. I always blamed me.”
- “He's due to return to stage next year for a high-profile tour with his band, placing him back in the spotlight.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.