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Singer Rex Orange County charged with multiple counts of sexual assault in London court

A man in a blue and yellow striped shirt
Rex Orange County.
(Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)
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Musician Rex Orange County has been charged with six counts of sexual assault after a woman accused him of attacking her multiple times in London.

According to reports from the Sun, the 24-year-old singer, born Alex O’Connor, allegedly twice assaulted a woman in London’s West End on June 1. The woman also accused O’Connor of assaulting her in a taxi and three times at his home in Notting Hill the next day.

O’Connor denied all charges in a London courtroom on Monday, and a provisional trial date was set for January 3.

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“Alex is shocked by the allegations which he denies and looks forward to clearing his name in court,” a representative for the singer told The Times. “He is unable to make any further comment because of the ongoing proceedings.”

The Compton singer-guitarist topped the charts with ‘Bad Habit.’ Now he’s a Grammy contender, on his own terms: ‘I didn’t have to change to do it.’

Months after releasing his album “Apricot Princess” in 2017, the British-born singer stepped into the spotlight as a special guest on Tyler, the Creator’s album “Flower Boy,” appearing on the songs “Boredom” and “Foreword.” O’Connor recently performed at the Hollywood Bowl on June 2 on the heels of his third album “Who Cares?” which reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

Speaking with The Times in 2019, Rex Orange County reflected on his rapid ascent to fame.

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With a crucial co-sign from Tyler, the Creator, 21-year-old Rex Orange County saw his new album, “Pony,” debut at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart.

“I can tell you all the bad things [about celebrity] — and I do on [‘Pony,’ his second album],” he said. “But without that stuff, I couldn’t have filled the Roxy with two days’ notice.”

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