Campaigners call for Jared Leto’s concerts to be cancelled after criminal sexual conduct claims

Campaigners call for Jared Leto concerts to be cancelled

Constantvpn.com – Women’s safety advocates are urging event organizers to cancel upcoming performances by Jared Leto and his band Thirty Seconds to Mars. The campaign follows multiple women coming forward with serious sexual misconduct accusations against the musician. Leto, who firmly rejects all allegations, has shows scheduled at two of Britain’s premier venues next April. The movement gained momentum after a comprehensive investigation gathered testimony from several women describing incidents spanning more than a decade.

The End Violence Against Women Coalition and domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid have both expressed deep concern about the London and Manchester events. They are pressing promoters to prioritize audience wellbeing over financial considerations. Tickets continue to be sold for performances at London’s The O2 and Manchester’s Co-Op Live venue, which campaigners describe as particularly troubling given the timing of these revelations.

Timeline of Allegations and Response

The reported incidents occurred between 2002 and 2016, when the accusers were teenagers and Leto was in his thirties and forties. He is currently 54 years old. The allegations encompass a range of behaviors including sexual assault and grooming. According to the investigation, ten women have shared their experiences with reporters, with nine choosing to speak publicly for the first time about their encounters.

Janaya Walker, interim director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, emphasized that the situation requires careful consideration of what message the music industry sends when it continues to feature artists facing serious accusations. She noted that victims and survivors of violence against women and girls may feel additional distress seeing these events proceed without apparent consequences.

“I think it really is about putting people over profit in this instance, and particularly women and girls’ safety,” Walker stated.

She added that the coalition wants industry leaders to evaluate whether continuing to platform certain individuals communicates acceptance of particular behaviors. “And that’s the choice that I think is in front of them,” she explained.

Personal Accounts from Victims and Staff

One former crew member described feeling unsettled by Leto’s interactions with young fans. The musician’s band, which achieved fame through songs including The Kill, This is War, and Kings And Queens, was established by Jared and his brother Shannon during the late 1990s. The group began performing in the 2000s and eventually progressed to headlining major venues worldwide.

Two men who worked alongside Leto’s band for extended periods recalled how uncomfortable staff members felt regarding his behavior toward teenage girls. One worker claimed that crew members received instructions to invite young girls backstage following performances where they joined Leto on stage. Another described a situation where approximately two girls would visit daily to see Leto at a house where the band was conducting work.

Among those who have publicly accused Leto is Alex, a former model. She explained that her agency received an invitation to attend a Thirty Seconds to Mars concert at London’s O2 arena in 2013. Subsequently, she was invited to an after-party by Leto’s female assistant. Although she was nineteen years old at the time, Alex said she felt compelled to present herself as younger when meeting the musician. She told him she was seventeen, and Leto, then forty-one, responded by saying that age was merely a number and that they were in Europe.

“In light of the very serious allegations of criminal sexual conduct, we would urge organisers to put safety over profit and avoid platforming figures like this,” a spokesperson for Women’s Aid told reporters.

Alex recounted that one of Leto’s assistants encouraged her to attend another party at a nearby hotel. When she arrived, only Leto was present in the room. She asked if she could rest on the chaise longue, and the star reportedly replied that if she did, she would wake up with “a dick in her ass.” Alex initially attempted to dismiss the encounter but now believes the hotel meeting had been “all planned out.”

Industry Implications and Next Steps

Organizers have been contacted regarding the allegations, though no responses have been received as of this writing. The campaign highlights a growing movement within the entertainment sector to reconsider which artists and performers receive platforms when serious accusations emerge. Advocates argue that continuing to book shows for artists facing multiple allegations may signal tolerance for problematic behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which venues are affected by the campaign? The campaign is targeting two major venues: London’s The O2 and Manchester’s Co-Op Live, where Jared Leto has shows scheduled for next April.

How many women have come forward with allegations? Ten women have shared their experiences with reporters, with nine choosing to speak publicly for the first time about their encounters with Jared Leto.

What is the timeframe of the alleged incidents? The reported incidents occurred between 2002 and 2016, when the accusers were teenagers and Leto was in his thirties and forties.

What organizations are leading the campaign? The End Violence Against Women Coalition and the domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid are both pressing promoters to prioritize audience wellbeing over financial considerations.