The Classy Lass MUA

Russell Brand’s defenders are proving a point they don’t even realise they’re making.

And it’s rather ironic.

I’ve seen people questioning how women could take years to come forward, while simultaneously refusing to accept that someone they admired has been convicted of r**e and s*xual assault.

But think about that for a moment.

If people who only knew Russell Brand through a screen are struggling to reconcile his likeable side with the harm he’s caused, imagine how complicated that becomes when it’s somebody you’ve loved, trusted or been intimate with.

I’ve experienced his charming side myself, first hand. I understand why people liked him.

But kindness and cruelty aren’t mutually exclusive.

And that’s precisely why s*xual violence can be so difficult to recognise, process and disclose.

We don’t know why each woman came forward when she did. But perhaps the people finding elaborate reasons to reject these convictions are inadvertently demonstrating just how difficult it can be to accept that somebody you thought you knew has caused harm.

If it’s this difficult to believe the worst about a stranger you admire, imagine having to accept it about somebody you love.

Perhaps some of those defending Russell Brand aren’t just struggling to accept what he’s done. Perhaps they’re struggling to accept that the person they loved and admired isn’t who they believed him to be.

Because sometimes, accepting the truth means having to say goodbye to someone you never thought you’d have to let go of.

My thoughts remain with the women whose lives were affected long before this became a headline. 🧡

Apparently, reflecting on your own experiences is now the same as claiming to be a victim.

An interesting interpretation of what I’ve actually said.

For absolute clarity, I have never claimed to be a victim of Russell Brand, nor am I making an allegation against him.

I have spoken openly about my interactions with him, including those I encouraged and enjoyed, and how my understanding of certain behaviours has changed as I’ve grown older.

I would never want my personal reflections to overshadow or diminish the experiences of the women who have come forward with allegations of serious s*xual offences. Their experiences deserve to be heard and treated with the seriousness they warrant.

What I am questioning is the wider culture that allowed certain behaviours to be celebrated, excused and normalised simply because of someone’s celebrity status.

And I find it rather revealing that someone can listen to a woman discussing boundaries, influence and social attitudes, yet decide that insulting her appearance is a reasonable contribution to the conversation.

You don’t have to agree with me. But disagreement and personal degradation are two very different things.

If your response to a woman speaking thoughtfully about her experiences is to ridicule her, perhaps the problem isn’t that she’s speaking.

Perhaps it’s that you’re uncomfortable with what she’s saying.

Because the only thing that comment has successfully undermined is its author’s credibility.

Love Len x

Russell Brand verdict: Thoughts from the girl who got his signature tattooed on her bum…

14 years later, I’m still making sense of an encounter that changed the direction of my life.

Some will think, “Oh, she’s still going on about him. That tattoo. She just wants attention.”

But no. I’m processing what has been an absolute whirlwind of a life experience.

That story and that silly tattoo led to opportunities, experiences and a chapter of my life that shaped me far more than most will ever understand. The good, the bad and everything in between.

Following the verdict, of course I’m reflecting.

I grew up admiring Russell Brand. I even dressed as him for school at ten.

I was part of a culture that celebrated behaviour I now find deeply inappropriate. A cheeky smile and a few laughs somehow made questionable behaviour acceptable.

And the media didn’t just tolerate it. They celebrated it, rewarded it and sold it back to us as entertainment.

There’s guilt in recognising my part in that culture. But I was young. When you’ve grown up being taught something is funny, how do you recognise when it isn’t?

Having worked in crisis services, I feel strongly about supporting women who come forward about s*xual assault, rather than automatically dismissing or ridiculing them.

I’m genuinely pleased for the women who came forward. Historic s*xual offence convictions can be incredibly difficult to secure.

And the suggestion that women who encountered him at different points in his life somehow conspired to fabricate allegations as part of a political plot? How? Think logically.

He’s spoken about politics for years. Unsupported conspiracy theories shouldn’t overshadow the women or the evidence examined in court.

They deserve better.

Just because something was once celebrated doesn’t mean it was ever acceptable.

How much of what we consider acceptable is genuinely our own judgement, and how much is simply behaviour we’ve become accustomed to excusing and applauding?

Because normalising something doesn’t make it harmless. It just makes the harm harder to recognise.

Love Len x

THE CHAIR | EPISODE THREE 🎬
Living with PMDD | Sky’s Story

This time, I’m joined by the lovely Sky to talk about her experience with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

From trying to understand what was happening to her, to getting a diagnosis, navigating treatment and finally reaching a point where life feels much more manageable.

This conversation is particularly close to home for me, as I’ve lived with PMDD myself. So you’ll probably notice me talking a little more than usual in this episode!

Although Sky and I share the same diagnosis, our experiences have been quite different. And I think that’s an important part of the conversation.

PMDD isn’t simply having a difficult few days before your period. It’s a condition that can have a significant impact on someone’s mental health, relationships, work and everyday life.

The symptoms, their severity, the time it takes to get answers and the treatments that help can vary enormously.

And that’s part of what makes PMDD so complex. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another.

I’m really pleased Sky has reached a point where she feels more comfortable and has found treatment that works for her. Because amongst all the conversations about how difficult PMDD can be, it’s equally important to hear about people finding their way through it.

A huge thank you to Sky for being so open and sharing her experience with me.

🎥 Find Sky on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/

Fancy taking a seat in The Chair?

Whether you’d like your makeup done, have a story to share or simply want to follow the series, I’d love you to get involved!

Join my WhatsApp channel for filming dates, guest opportunities and updates. 🎬

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb8aKiQ30LKJxd2E5H34

PMDD information and support:
The PMDD Project - thepmddproject

⚠️ Content note: This episode includes discussions of depression and suicidal thoughts.

There’s something wonderfully British about asking a complete stranger for directions and then trusting them with your entire afternoon.

No qualifications checked. No references requested. Just the assumption that because they live or work in Cheddar, they must know.

And generally, we’re quite happy to oblige. Sometimes even throwing in a recommendation nobody asked for.

But I do find something rather lovely about it.

We’ve got maps, reviews and practically every answer imaginable in our pockets, yet people will still open the door of a little independent shop or stop someone in the street to ask for help.

Perhaps it’s not always about the answer. Sometimes there’s simply more reassurance in speaking to another person than looking at a screen.

And I think there’s something worth preserving in that. Not every conversation needs a purpose beyond two people having one.

Of course, the accuracy of the information is an entirely separate matter.

Emma and I would like to clarify that neither of us has personally assessed the temperament of the animals in Cheddar Gorge. Any advice given should not be considered a formal risk assessment.

Love Len & Emma

📍 The Beauty Cave, Cheddar 🐐
💄 The Classy Lass MUA

A little closer look at my Poisoned Pumpkin. 🎃

Copper eyes, a poisoned complexion and some rather questionable facial growths.

My entry for RudeGhoulHalloween. 🖤

A very last minute entry, so we shall see ✨
Love Len
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