Oscar-winning actor and Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto faces new allegations of sexual misconduct from 10 women. Four of these women accuse him of criminal sexual conduct, with alleged offenses occurring when they were teenagers. These claims are detailed in a new BBC documentary titled 'Jared Leto: Hollywood's Dark Secret'.
Nine of the 10 women are sharing their stories publicly for the first time in the documentary. Their alleged encounters with Leto, who is now 54, took place between 2002 and 2016, when he was in his 30s and 40s. One woman claims she was sexually assaulted in a motel bathroom at age 17. Another states Leto threatened her with sexual assault when she was 19. A third woman describes underage sex with Leto in California when she was 17, which could be statutory rape. The fourth woman alleges grooming, including sexually explicit phone calls from Leto when she was 16.
These new allegations add to a history of similar claims against Leto that have surfaced over decades. The BBC has identified more than 120 separate allegations online regarding his behavior towards women. Last year, a Los Angeles DJ, Allie Teilz, accused Leto of assault when she was 17, prompting other women to come forward. Nine women also made sexual impropriety claims against Leto in an Air Mail article last year, all of which he denied.
The BBC has corroborated several of the women's accounts with friends and family who were informed at the time. In some instances, pictures and messages supporting the women's claims were also seen by the BBC. Two men who worked with Leto's band for many years also told the documentary makers about staff discomfort regarding Leto's interactions with teenage girls. They described instances where he would invite them backstage or to his house.
Despite repeated attempts to contact Jared Leto, he has not responded to the allegations presented by the BBC. Leto has been a prominent actor since the 1990s, winning an Academy Award in 2014 for 'Dallas Buyers Club'. His band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, formed in 1998, is scheduled to tour Europe and the UK next spring. The documentary's revelations could significantly impact his public image and career, potentially affecting his upcoming tour and future film projects. Decision-makers in the entertainment industry and the public will closely watch for any official response from Leto or his representatives.