# Ex-Royal Ballet star faces backlash for calling convicted rapist Russell Brand a ‘national treasure’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/ex-royal-ballet-star-faces-backlash-for-calling-convicted-rapist-russell-brand-a-national-treasure/
- Published: 2026-11-15T10:54:01+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T11:03:15+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16294017/ex-royal-ballet-star-support-russell-brand.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Sergei Polunin praised Russell Brand as a “national treasure”.
- Brand was jailed for 10-and-a-half years after sexual offences convictions.
- Polunin’s post prompted criticism and unfollow threats.

## Summary

Former Royal Ballet principal Sergei Polunin has drawn criticism after publicly describing Russell Brand as a “national treasure” and pledging his full support. Brand was jailed for 10-and-a-half years after being convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault, making Polunin’s praise particularly contentious.

In an Instagram post, Polunin called Brand polite, clever and talented, and argued that the circumstances described in his post did not warrant a prison sentence. Followers responded with criticism, with some saying they would unfollow him. Polunin, who left the Royal Ballet in 2012, has previously faced backlash over social media remarks and his support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.