What did Kristen Bell say about Russell Brand?

Shortly after the release of “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” Kristen Bell shared with interviewers that she had taken measures to assertively communicate to her co-star Russell Brand that she was not interested in a romantic involvement during the filming process.

These recollections of her interactions with the British actor and comedian have resurfaced in light of recent allegations that Brand committed sexual assault and rape against multiple women during the peak of his fame. An investigation conducted jointly by The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches has brought forth the accounts of four women, one of whom was 16 years old at the time, alleging that Brand either sexually assaulted or raped them between 2006 and 2013.

Brand vehemently denies these allegations. In an interview with the Scottish Daily Record, Bell acknowledged being aware of Brand’s reputation for womanizing and emphasized that she made it clear to him that his approaches were not welcome.

“I made it really clear from the beginning that I would sock him in the b***s if he tried anything. So he was intimidated,” she told the paper.

Related: How much does Russell Brand make off YouTube? The online video platform blocks his income

Bell said Brand “didn’t try to mess” with her

Bell also mentioned that she was initially drawn to the comedian’s charm but lost interest when she learned about his treatment of women.

“I had no idea who he was until I Googled him and saw what a little stinker he is with the ladies. He kept reminding us every 10 minutes of how famous he is in Britain by going, ‘It’s so weird not to be recognized here,’” she told reporters. “He didn’t fancy me at all and in fact went out of his way to tell me how grotesque I was. And I certainly didn’t fancy him because he’s so high-maintenance – he took longer in make-up than I did.”

She said the actor “didn’t try to mess with me or get in my pants,” in another interview, adding that “he knew I would lop his n**s off.”

Bell “had a lovely time” working with Brand

While expressing her vigilance around Brand, she also commended the actor, stating during press tours that she thoroughly enjoyed working with him.

“I may be the only woman in the world who would shout that from the rooftops, but I did,” she said in a separate interview.

“Russell loves everyone to know that he’s a womanizer and he’s done all these strange things, but I think secretly hiding inside Russell is a very nice boy,” she said. “I had a lovely time with him because he was a bit protective towards me.”

Women’s allegations against Brand

Brand characterizes himself as “promiscuous,” a feature central to his public persona during his peak fame from the late 2000s through the 2010s. He maintains that all of his encounters were “always, absolutely consensual.”

In contrast, the women who spoke to the joint investigation have shared accounts that depict Brand as controlling, emotionally abusive, and physically dominant. One accuser reported that she was only 16 when she engaged in an alleged sexual relationship with the then-30-year-old Brand, who referred to her as “the child” and even chose her clothing for their dates.

Another woman asserted that Brand raped her at his Los Angeles residence in 2012 after she refused to engage in sexual acts with him and a “friend.” Following the incident, she had to seek treatment at a rape center and undergo five months of therapy to cope with the trauma. Text messages between her and the individual she claims is Brand was made public, with the number expressing apologies for acting “crazy and selfish.”

Brand, who presently hosts a podcast occasionally delving into right-wing conspiracy theories, denies any wrongdoing and suggests that there might be some other underlying “agenda” behind the allegations against him.