Jared Leto faces calls to cancel upcoming gigs after criminal sexual misconduct allegations

Hannah FurnellSat, August 8, 2026 at 3:28 AM UTC

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Jared Leto is facing calls to cancel his upcoming concerts in the U.K. -Credit:AFP via Getty Images

Jared Leto is facing pressure to cancel his upcoming concerts following recent allegations of criminal sexual misconduct.

The 54-year-old rock star has denied the accusations, which were made against him by multiple women in a new BBC documentary, Jared Leto: Hollywood's Darkest Secret. The film features 10 women who have spoken out with claims about Leto. Four of those women have accused him of conduct that includes sexual assault and grooming. They allege that the incidents took place when they were under 20.

Now, in the wake of the accusations leveled against Leto, women's safety advocates are demanding that Thirty Seconds to Mars' scheduled concerts in the U.K. be canceled. Leto is set to perform with his band at two of the U.K.'s largest arenas, London's The O2 and Manchester Co-Op Live, next April.

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However, the End Violence Against Women coalition and domestic abuse charity Women's Aid have told BBC Newsbeat that they are worried about the planned shows and are calling on organizers to cancel Thirty Seconds to Mars, per the BBC.

A spokesperson for Women's Aid told Newsbeat it is "troubling to hear that UK concerts are still planned to go ahead that will put an alleged abuser in the spotlight."

Women's safety campaigners are calling for Jared Leto's upcoming concerts in the U.K. to be canceled

"In light of the very serious allegations of criminal sexual conduct, we would urge organizers to put safety over profit and avoid platforming figures like this."

Janaya Walker, interim director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said she backed the charity. "I think it really is about putting people over profit in this instance, and particularly women and girls' safety," she said. Walker also noted that tickets being sold for Thirty Seconds to Mars' upcoming concerts were "really worrying."

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"Particularly for victims and survivors of violence against women and girls, they'll be seeing these reports and then seeing that things are moving forward seemingly without any consequence," she said. "I think that will cause a huge amount of alarm and frustration and anger."

Jared Leto has denied the criminal sexual misconduct allegations, which were leveled against him by several women in a new bombshell BBC documentary -Credit:Getty Images

Walker explained that the coalition wants the music industry to reconsider whether providing a platform for certain acts and individuals "sends a message" about whether they "condone particular forms of behavior." She added, "And that's the choice that I think is in front of them."

The alleged offenses took place in the 2000s and 2010s when the women were teenagers and Leto was in his 30s and 40s. According to the documentary, one woman claims she was assaulted in a motel bathroom when she was 17. Another alleges that Leto threatened her with sexual assault when she was 19 after she was left alone with him in a hotel room.

A third woman alleges she had sex with the actor in California when she was 17, which would be classified as statutory rape due to the state's age of consent laws.

Meanwhile, a fourth woman alleges that Leto repeatedly made sexually explicit phone calls to her when she was 16 and, on at least one occasion, suggested that they should have sex.

Jared Leto's Thirty Seconds to Mars has upcoming concerts at London's The O2 and Manchester Co-Op Live -Credit:Getty Images

Also featured in the documentary, two men who worked alongside Leto's band for several years describe how uncomfortable staff were regarding the way Leto interacted with teenage girls. One alleges that crew members were directed to bring young girls backstage following their appearance on stage with Leto.

Another claims it was a daily occurrence for girls to visit Leto at a house where the band was recording. Among those making accusations is former model Alex, who says her agency was invited to a Thirty Seconds to Mars concert at London's O2 arena in 2013.

She alleged that she was subsequently invited to an after-party by Leto's female assistant and, despite being 19 at the time, she "felt the need" to pretend to be younger when she met Leto in order to protect herself.

"I have never sexually assaulted anyone in my entire life. These claims are absolutely and categorically false," Leto said in a statement provided by his representatives to address the allegations.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) or visit its websiteto receive confidential support.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”