Musician Rex Orange County has been charged with six counts of sexual assault.
In October 2022, the U.K. artist, whose real name is Alex O’Connor, appeared in court to plead not guilty to the accusations. According to The Sun, in June 2021, the “Loving Is Easy” singer allegedly assaulted a woman in London’s West End twice in one day as well as in a taxi the following day. O’Connor is also accused of assaulting the woman three additional times later that month at his Notting Hill home.
O’Connor, for his part, denied the claims. “Alex is shocked by the allegations, which he denies, and looks forward to clearing his name in court,” his rep tells Us Weekly. “He is unable to make any further comment because of the ongoing proceedings.”
The songwriter’s legal issues came three months after he revealed that he would be hitting pause on his tour. “It is with a great deal of sadness to announce that due to unforeseen personal circumstances, I am having to spend some time at home this year and I will not be able to continue with touring as planned,” he wrote via Instagram in July 2022.
At the time, O’Connor noted that he would not be appearing in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. “I am having to spend some time at home this year and I will not be able to continue with touring as planned,” he continued. “This is the last thing I want to do. I love touring and I am so sorry to be letting anyone down. I look forward to getting back to it as soon as I can.”
Earlier that year, O’Connor reflected on the next chapter of his life after releasing a new album titled Who Cares.
“I’m having so much fun where I’m at right now,” he told NME during an interview in March 2022. “I want the music to sound and feel free, because I feel free in a sense. I wasn’t in the best place from COVID to now, but I’m more independent in my life and in a better place. I’m not worrying about what I’m saying and how it’s being construed by people.”
The “Boredom” performer also opened up about how public perception changed his relationship with his music. “I cared for a long, long time about what people would think about me and I found it a bit difficult to know who I was,” he added. “Once you make the choice about putting yourself out there, you ask for people to pay attention. Then as soon as you do, you’re like, ‘Oh God — why did I do that?’”
O’Connor continued: “I’m definitely more comfortable with who I am now and it just took time and growing up. I relaxed a bit and became a bit less resentful and more accepting of how I am. I used to hate how I looked, my voice and the way I came across … but I realized that I can’t change these things and who I am.”
Scroll down for everything to know about O’Connor’s legal drama:
Credit: Shutterstock
Breaking Down Musician Rex Orange County’s Legal Issues After He Was Charged With 6 Counts of Sexual Assault in the U.K.
Musician Rex Orange County has been charged with six counts of sexual assault.
In October 2022, the U.K. artist, whose real name is Alex O’Connor, appeared in court to plead not guilty to the accusations. According to The Sun, in June 2021, the “Loving Is Easy” singer allegedly assaulted a woman in London’s West End twice in one day as well as in a taxi the following day. O’Connor is also accused of assaulting the woman three additional times later that month at his Notting Hill home.
O’Connor, for his part, denied the claims. “Alex is shocked by the allegations, which he denies, and looks forward to clearing his name in court,” his rep tells Us Weekly. “He is unable to make any further comment because of the ongoing proceedings.”
The songwriter’s legal issues came three months after he revealed that he would be hitting pause on his tour. “It is with a great deal of sadness to announce that due to unforeseen personal circumstances, I am having to spend some time at home this year and I will not be able to continue with touring as planned,” he wrote via Instagram in July 2022.
At the time, O’Connor noted that he would not be appearing in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. “I am having to spend some time at home this year and I will not be able to continue with touring as planned,” he continued. “This is the last thing I want to do. I love touring and I am so sorry to be letting anyone down. I look forward to getting back to it as soon as I can.”
Earlier that year, O’Connor reflected on the next chapter of his life after releasing a new album titled Who Cares.
“I’m having so much fun where I’m at right now,” he told NME during an interview in March 2022. “I want the music to sound and feel free, because I feel free in a sense. I wasn’t in the best place from COVID to now, but I’m more independent in my life and in a better place. I’m not worrying about what I’m saying and how it’s being construed by people.”
The “Boredom” performer also opened up about how public perception changed his relationship with his music. “I cared for a long, long time about what people would think about me and I found it a bit difficult to know who I was,” he added. “Once you make the choice about putting yourself out there, you ask for people to pay attention. Then as soon as you do, you’re like, ‘Oh God — why did I do that?’”
O’Connor continued: “I’m definitely more comfortable with who I am now and it just took time and growing up. I relaxed a bit and became a bit less resentful and more accepting of how I am. I used to hate how I looked, my voice and the way I came across … but I realized that I can’t change these things and who I am.”
Scroll down for everything to know about O’Connor’s legal drama:
Credit: MediaPunch/Shutterstock
What Are the Charges Against Him?
The U.K. native has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman on six separate occasions.
Credit: MediaPunch/Shutterstock
How Has O’Connor Responded?
O’Connor denied the allegations during a court appearance at Southwark Crown Court in London in October 2022. After pleading not guilty to all six charges, the performer was released on unconditional bail.
Credit: Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
When Is the Next Court Date?
A provisional trial date is set for January 3, 2023.
Credit: John Williams/Shutterstock
What Does This Mean for the Singer’s Tour?
Ahead of his legal issues, O’Connor canceled 17 shows on his tour.
Credit: MediaPunch/Shutterstock
Has There Been a Legal Update?
In December 2022, all charges were dropped against the musician.
“Today, all charges against me have been dropped. The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the evidence and decided that there is no merit in this case going to trial, not guilty verdicts were entered to all the charges,” he wrote via Instagram. “I have always denied these allegations and am grateful that the independent evidence has cleared me of any wrongdoing. I have never assaulted anyone and I do not condone violence or abusive behaviour of any kind.”
In the lengthy social media post, O’Connor claimed he was “wrongly accused of touching someone one evening on their leg, neck, back, and bottom,” but that “CCTV footage obtained by the police contradicted their version of events.”
A spokesperson for Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the charges were dropped in a statement, telling NME, “CPS prosecutors have a duty to keep each case under review. Having carefully considered all the evidence, our legal test for a prosecution was no longer met and so we will not be continuing a prosecution. We will always seek to prosecute sexual offenses, where our legal test is met, no matter how challenging.”
