Accusations Against Jared Leto

Singer and actor Jared Leto has been accused of criminal sexual misconduct by four women in a BBC documentary. In Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret, one woman stated she was sexually assaulted by Leto in a motel at age 17. Another alleged encounter involved an underage 17-year-old having sex with Leto in California, where the legal age of consent is 18. She reported that Leto dismissed concerns about her age.

A third woman claimed Leto threatened her with sexual assault when she was 19 while they were alone in a hotel. A fourth woman accused him of grooming her at 16, claiming he used his celebrity status to make explicit calls and suggest sexual activities.

The BBC attempted to contact Leto regarding these allegations, but he did not respond. Newsweek also contacted him for comment.

Content of the BBC Documentary

The documentary features interviews with 10 women, nine speaking publicly for the first time. These women claim encounters with Leto occurred between 2002 and 2016, when he was in his 30s and 40s. The BBC corroborated some accounts with friends and family who were informed at the time.

One interviewee, Isabel, described meeting Leto at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas in 2002 when she was 17. She believed she was meeting him at his hotel, but it was a “dingy motel.” Isabel expressed regret, attributing the event to her own perceived foolishness.

Other women recount encounters with Leto at concerts, after-parties, and within the music and modeling industries over a decade. Many later reevaluated these interactions from a different perspective as adults.

Profile of Jared Leto

Leto gained fame as an actor in the 1990s, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Dallas Buyers Club in 2014. His credits include Fight Club, Blade Runner 2049, and Suicide Squad. Leto is also the lead vocalist of Thirty Seconds to Mars, the band he formed with his brother, Shannon Leto, in 1998. Their performances continue globally.

Historical Allegations

Allegations regarding Leto’s behavior with young women have circulated for years. The BBC identified over 120 online allegations dating back to the early 2000s. A 2005 New York Post article mentioned Leto’s interactions with underage girls, but it wasn’t until a 2025 Air Mail investigation that more detailed accounts surfaced. Leto has denied the allegations through representatives.

Insights from Former Band Crew Members

The documentary includes interviews with two former Thirty Seconds to Mars crew members. They voiced concern over the age of girls around the band. “Simon,” a former crew member, recalled Leto’s frequent interactions with young women during recording and noted visits to the band’s location. He cited one visit by a girl dropped off by her parents as especially uncomfortable.

Another crew member, “Brad,” mentioned that requests for young female models to receive VIP tickets came from Leto, which made the crew uneasy due to the age difference. Such accounts from women mirrored experiences observed by the crew, as stated by Simon.

Promotional Absence in Latest Film

Leto’s latest major film role was as Skeletor in Masters of the Universe. Despite his significant role, his absence from most promotional activities was notable. This low-profile approach contrasted with his established public presence.

For further comments, contact Matthew Robinson and Emma Lee-Sang.