Drake Bell Defends Josh Peck Amid Backlash From Abuse Allegations, Urges Understanding
In a heartfelt video shared on TikTok, Drake Bell, the former Nickelodeon star, stood up in support of his longtime friend and co-star Josh Peck. Addressing his followers, Drake disclosed that Josh had reached out to him following Drake’s recent revelations about his traumatic experiences as a child actor.
Acknowledging the sensitivity of the situation, Drake expressed gratitude for Josh’s support, emphasizing the emotional journey they are both navigating.
“A lot of it is very difficult so not everything is put out to the public. But I just wanted to let you guys know that [Josh] has reached out to me and it’s been very sensitive. But he has reached out to talk with me and help me work through this and he’s been really great,” Drake shared.
The 37-year-old singer also urged fans to show kindness towards Drake amid recent criticism over a TikTok video where Josh appeared to mouth the words, “If I haven’t talked to you since 2023, take that as a f––king sign that you don’t exist to me anymore.”
Fans had questioned Josh’s silence following Drake’s disclosure of abuse, prompting backlash against the actor.
The timing of Josh’s post drew scrutiny, with users labeling it as “odd” and accusing him of indifference towards Drake’s trauma.
Earlier this month, Drake bravely spoke out about his own experience of sexual abuse at the hands of a former Nickelodeon dialogue coach, Brian Peck, while he was 15. Drake’s revelations shed light on the dark reality of abuse within the entertainment industry, sparking conversations about child safety and accountability.
In a press release Warner Bros. Discovery shared with PEOPLE, the entertainment company shared that Investigation Discovery’s new series Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV “reveals that former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell will be sharing publicly, for the first time, the story of the abuse he suffered at the hands of Brian Peck, his former dialogue coach who was convicted in 2004 for his crimes against Drake and ordered to register as a sex offender.”
Brian, who was convicted in 2004 for his crimes against Bell, spent 16 months in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender. He had reportedly pleaded no contest to a charge of oral copulation with a minor under 16 as well as a charge of performing a lewd act with a teenager.
