Buffy Star Nicholas Brendon Accused of Grooming Teenage Girl Years Before His Death
Nicholas Brendon, the American actor best known for his role as Xander Harris on the iconic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has been accused of grooming a teenage girl. Brendon passed away on March 20 at the age of 54, with his family stating he died in his sleep from natural causes. However, new allegations have surfaced, detailing inappropriate interactions with a minor that date back to 2013.
Allegations of Inappropriate Contact
The accuser, now 30 years old, claims she met Brendon at a comic convention in Washington DC when she was 17. Aspiring to become an actor, she gave him her phone number in hopes of receiving career guidance. According to her account, their text exchanges quickly turned flirtatious, and she admits to being smitten as s**t at the time.
She told Page Six that Brendon discussed flying her to a ski resort to cuddle and keep warm together. While he did not immediately request explicit photos, she alleges he eventually pressured her to send nudes, even after she expressed concerns about her age. Brendon reportedly looked up the age of consent in South Carolina, where she lived, and insisted it was legal, stating, It’s OK, you’re the age of consent. Just send me the nudes.
Escalation and Aftermath
When she sent partially covered photos, Brendon allegedly demanded more, claiming they were not enough. He is said to have used his fame to manipulate her, telling her, I’m famous. I’m giving you attention. You should be doing what I ask you to do. After she tried to appease him, he ghosted her, leaving her devastated. She believes this experience has negatively impacted her romantic relationships since.
The woman is one of approximately 9,000 members of a Facebook group called Nicholas Brendon Awareness, which aims to spread awareness about his alleged abuse of women and fans. The group’s description, seen by Metro, highlights ongoing concerns about his behavior.
Connection to Broader Allegations
Her realization of being groomed came after viewing TikTok videos from an account named Slay the Silence, run by domestic violence advocate Sarah Allison. Allison claims Brendon abused her during their relationship, though he never publicly addressed these allegations. This prompted the accuser to reflect, saying, I really reflected and realised, 'Oh, I was really groomed. This was worse than I had thought it was.'
Brendon’s Legal and Personal Struggles
Following his time on Buffy, Brendon faced multiple legal issues. In 2020, he received three years of probation as part of a plea deal after pleading guilty to attacking his girlfriend, as reported by CBS News. He was ordered to complete a 52-week domestic violence course and 20 hours of community service. Additionally, Brendon struggled with substance abuse, checking into rehab on several occasions.
Metro has reached out to Brendon’s representatives for comment on the grooming allegations, but no response has been provided at this time.
Resources for Domestic Abuse Victims
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Refuge, a domestic abuse charity, recommends starting a record of abusive incidents, including saving messages or noting details. Important documents should be copied, and safer areas in your home identified. For those ready to leave, plan a safe exit route and pack an emergency bag. Local refuges offer confidential support, and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) is available 24/7. In emergencies, call 999 or use the Silent Solution by pressing 55 if unable to speak.
