Russell Brand reflects on marriage to 'amazing' Katy Perry during 'Bear Grylls' appearance

Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Actor, comedian and podcaster Russell Brand discussed his past drug addiction and marriage to pop star Katy Perry during a recent appearance on National Geographic's adventure show, Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge.

Brand, 48, was seen rapelling down a cliff edge and learning survival skills in Scotland during this weekend's episode.

It was in the show's quieter moments that he opened up about the substance abuse that was the "dominant and defining part" of his life from the time he was a teen until he was in his late 20s, as well as his marriage to Perry, which came at the height of his fame in the United States when he was in his early 30s.

"She's an amazing person and it was kind of incredible to live for a moment in the eye of that cyclone type aspect of fame," he said.

"Aside from my feelings of affection for Katy, it's a time that I remember as a little bit chaotic and a little bit for me -- speaking for myself -- disconnected."

Brand and Perry were married from 2010 to 2012.

He married Laura Gallacher in 2017 and they are now expecting their third child.

Perry has been engaged to actor Orlando Bloom since 2019. They welcomed a daughter in 2020.