Smallzy recalls ‘uncomfortable’ Russell Brand kiss

Some interviews age badly. Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small’s 2012 chat with Russell Brand has aged into something else entirely.

The KIIS FM host has gone back to a backstage interview from the 2012 ARIA Awards. As the chat wrapped up, Brand grabbed him around the head and neck and kissed him, then did it again a few seconds later. Small now calls the moment “uncomfortable”.

He played the audio on his show this week. It came after a resurfaced 60 Minutes clip of Brand kissing reporter Liz Hayes started circulating again following the comedian’s sentencing in London.

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READ MORE: Russell Brand jailed for 10 and a half years for rape and sexual assault

Russell Brand’s conviction and sentence

Brand has been jailed for 10 and a half years after a jury found him guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women, with the offences spanning 2004 to 2009. He was acquitted of three further charges.

The former BBC Radio 2 host must serve two-thirds of the term in custody before he can be released on licence. He will stay on the sex offenders register for life. 

Sentencing judge Justice Joel Bennathan said Brand had “become a sexual predator” who showed a “casual and arrogant disregard” for women who said no.

‘Oh my God, Russell Brand’s kissing me!’

On air, Small said hearing the 13-year-old tape again left him unsure what to make of it.

“When I listened back to that now… I don’t actually know how to react,” he said. 

“But I laugh because in my head I’m like, oh my God, Russell Brand’s kissing me! But oh my God?! Like, Russell Brand has like leaned over, and he’s like trying to kiss me!”

He also pointed out how much things have changed since 2012.

“Could you imagine anyone kissing someone like that now? Just grabbing them!”

Back in 2012, the moment went to air as a bit of celebrity chaos. In 2026, the same tape sounds very different.