Jared Leto, a well-known singer and actor, has been accused by four women of criminal sexual misconduct, as detailed in a new BBC documentary titled Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret. In the documentary, it is revealed that one woman alleges she was sexually assaulted by Leto in a motel when she was 17 years old. Another woman, also 17 at the time, claims she had sex with Leto in California, where the legal age of consent is 18. She stated that Leto dismissed concerns about her age.
Further testimony includes a claim by a third woman who says Leto threatened her with sexual assault when she was 19, after they were left alone in a hotel room. Additionally, a fourth woman alleges Leto groomed her at 16, using his fame to engage in sexually suggestive communication and proposing sexual encounters.
Newsweek has contacted Leto for comment, but BBC stated he did not respond to their repeated efforts to reach him regarding these allegations.
The BBC Documentary’s Revelations
Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret provides a platform for 10 women, nine of whom are speaking publicly for the first time, to share their encounters with Leto. The BBC mentioned that these interactions occurred from 2002 to 2016, when Leto was aged in his 30s and 40s. They have corroborated several accounts with insights from friends and family members who had been informed of the events at the time.
Among the women interviewed is Isabel, who met Leto while working at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas in 2002. Isabel claims she was invited by Leto to what she thought was his hotel, but turned out to be a motel. Reflecting on her experience, Isabel expressed that she initially blamed herself for the encounter.
Numerous women reported interactions with Leto at concerts, after-parties, and within the music and modeling industries, spanning over a decade. Some have come to reevaluate these experiences as adults.
Background on Jared Leto
Jared Leto first gained fame in the 1990s and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Dallas Buyers Club in 2014. His film repertoire includes Fight Club, Blade Runner 2049, and Suicide Squad. Other than acting, Leto is the lead vocalist of the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, formed with his brother Shannon Leto in 1998, often touring globally.
History of Allegations Against Leto
Allegations against Leto regarding inappropriate interactions with young women have lingered for many years. The BBC investigation uncovered over 120 allegations posted online, many relating to his behavior dating back to the early 2000s.
An article from 2005 in the New York Post mentioned accusations of Leto approaching and texting underage girls at a New York hotel. These issues resurfaced dramatically in 2025 following an investigation published by Air Mail that included claims from nine women reporting sexual misconduct by Leto.
Leto denied these allegations through a representative.
Concerns from Thirty Seconds to Mars Crew Members
The documentary features interviews with two former Thirty Seconds to Mars crew members. They voiced concerns over young women within the band’s circle.
One crew member, known as Simon, recounted regular visits from young women to a house where the band recorded, noting instances with an apparent young girl feeling shamed and embarrassed.
Another former crew member, Brad, spoke about models receiving VIP tickets at Leto’s request during tours. Brad remarked that the age gap was troubling for staff members.
Both crew members reflected that some public allegations seemed consistent with their own observations.
Jared Leto’s Latest Film Role and Public Absence
Leto’s recent film role was in Masters of the Universe, released earlier this year. Despite being a prominent cast member, he has stayed out of promotional activities for the film, which is unusual given his established public profile.
This relatively subtle campaign contrasts sharply with Leto’s status as an Oscar-winning actor and the band leader of Thirty Seconds to Mars.
For further information on this story, please contact Newsweek editors Matthew Robinson and Emma Lee-Sang.