Jared Leto accused of sexual misconduct in BBC documentary

Jared Leto, the Oscar-winning actor and frontman of Thirty Seconds to Mars, faces renewed allegations of sexual misconduct following a BBC documentary that features accounts from 10 women, including four who were teenagers at the time of the alleged incidents. The documentary, titled *Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret*, premiering on July 29, 2026, compiles stories spanning from 2002 to 2016, when Leto, now 54, was in his 30s and 40s. The allegations include sexual assault, grooming, explicit phone calls, and threats, with nine of the women speaking publicly for the first time.

The accusations detail a pattern of behavior that some describe as predatory. One woman, identified as Isabel, claims she was sexually assaulted by Leto in a Las Vegas motel bathroom in 2002 when she was 17. She alleges Leto, then 34, invited her into the bathroom while showering, grabbed her hand, and forced her to masturbate him. Another accuser, referred to as Clara, said she had sex with Leto at his California home in 2006 when she was 17. She recounted that Leto dismissed concerns about California’s age of consent, telling her, “I would like you to call me daddy,” and pressuring her to adopt a childlike role. “It wasn’t a huge concern for him,” she said, adding that she only later realized the gravity of the encounter.

Other allegations involve threats and coercive behavior. A woman who was 19 at the time described being left alone with Leto in a hotel room in London in 2013. She claimed he told her, “Age is just a number, and, anyway, we’re in Europe,” before refusing to let her leave and repeatedly threatening, “You’ll wake up with a dick in your ass.” A 16-year-old accuser, Etta, alleged Leto made repeated sexually explicit phone calls to her, including questions about her “kinks” and suggestions of sexual activity. She later refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that would have silenced her, a document the BBC confirmed it reviewed.

The documentary also highlights the presence of former industry insiders who describe discomfort with Leto’s interactions with minors. Two men who worked with his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, told the BBC they found his behavior with teenage girls “uncomfortable,” noting he often invited them backstage or to his recording house. One said, “Everyone thought the age gap was way too big.” These accounts align with previous allegations, including a 2025 *AirMail* investigation that detailed claims from nine women, which Leto’s representatives called “demonstrably false.”

Leto has denied all allegations, stating in a public statement, “I have never sexually assaulted anyone in my entire life. These claims are absolutely and categorically false.” However, the BBC claims to have corroborated the women’s accounts through photos, messages, and testimonies from friends and family. The outlet also cited a 2012 Facebook post by Allie Teilz, a Los Angeles DJ, who described being assaulted by Leto at 17. Teilz later reposted the message, calling him “predatory” and “terrifying.”

The allegations resurface amid ongoing scrutiny of power dynamics in Hollywood. One accuser, speaking through the documentary, said, “This was 25 years ago… he has gotten away with it.” The BBC’s report underscores a pattern of behavior that has persisted despite previous denials, with some victims feeling silenced by NDAs or industry pressure. While no criminal charges have been filed, the documentary adds to a growing list of accusations against Leto, including claims from 2012 that he exposed himself to a 17-year-old and asked a 16-year-old explicit questions.

Leto’s recent projects include a role in Disney’s *Tron: Ares* and an upcoming film adaptation of *Masters of the Universe*, though neither has been released. His band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, is set to tour in 2027. As the entertainment industry grapples with accountability, the BBC’s findings reignite debates about how power and influence shape the treatment of survivors’ voices.