Credited from: LATIMES
Four women have accused Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto of criminal sexual conduct, with the allegations surfacing through a BBC documentary titled Jared Leto: Hollywood's Dark Secret. The women claim that the incidents occurred from 2002 to 2016 when they were teenagers and Leto was in his 30s and 40s, highlighting a range of accusations such as sexual assault and statutory rape. One woman stated that when she was 17, Leto sexually assaulted her in a motel bathroom while another described being threatened with sexual assault when she was 19. Reports detail that four women recalled encounters where Leto engaged in inappropriate conversations and actions, particularly when they were underage, according to BBC, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.
The allegations include instances where women reported receiving lewd comments and sexual phone calls from Leto. A woman identified as Isabel alleged she was sexually assaulted at age 17, recalling how Leto initiated sexual activities in a motel room while she felt unprepared and intimidated. Another woman, Clara, shared that she had underage sex with Leto, who reportedly dismissed concerns about the legality of their age difference during their interactions, wherein Leto was 34 and she was 17. These accusations reflect a troubling pattern of behavior as multiple women described feeling both groomed and coerced in their encounters with the actor, according to BBC, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.
As reported, these women stated that they encountered Jared Leto during a formative time in their lives, reflecting on how these experiences shaped their perception of celebrity culture and personal safety. Etta, another alleged victim, described how Leto sought her out when she was just 14, inviting her to his Oscar party and later communicating with her about sexual topics, despite being aware of her age. This account, along with those of others, was corroborated by emails and text exchanges shared with the documentary team, further highlighting Leto's problematic behavior and the significant age disparities involved, according to BBC, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.
Former crew members from Thirty Seconds to Mars expressed discomfort regarding Leto's interactions with teenage girls, describing an environment where young fans were frequently invited backstage. Staff felt uneasy about these dynamics, noting an alarming pattern in how Leto approached young women. Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Leto's representatives have consistently denied all claims, insisting that they are "absolutely and categorically false". Nineteen women in total have come forward with stories that coincide with the history of Leto's alleged predatory behaviors, illustrating a potential long-standing issue with his interactions within the entertainment industry, according to BBC, CBS News, and Los Angeles Times.