Top Dog Group ‘suspends’ management with Darling Brando amid sexual assault allegations
Content Warning: This article covers an alleged sexual assault & harassment incident and may be triggering for some readers. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Top Dog Group, the management company behind Darling Brando, has “suspended” their management deal with the band following allegations of sexual misconduct, TMN can reveal.
Beneath The Glass Ceiling published allegations levied at member Alex Mather on Thursday night, which included the sexual harassment, assault and grooming of an underage girl in 2017.
TMN has chosen not to name the alleged victim as she remains under legal age.
In the posts, the alleged victim also claimed she was approached online by the band’s co-manager, David Simon, who said he would be “investigating this matter” and taking “appropriate disciplinary action” against any talent found to be acting inappropriately.
The group consisted of Williams, Mather and Vlado Saric, and were touted by their now former label as “Australia’s hardest working boy band“. They are now without management.
“Top Dog Group commenced operations in 2017 and signed Darling Brando in 2018,” a Top Dog spokesperson said in a statement shared with TMN on Friday morning.
“As a modern music company, Top Dog does not condone or tolerate any form of abuse to any gender. Top Dog has become aware of allegations recently posted on social media regarding Darling Brando.
“The alleged behaviour does not align with Top Dog’s values. Top Dog is investigating the matter and has suspended the management arrangement between the company and the artists.”
As first reported by TMN on Wednesday, Tom Jay Williams announced on social media that he had left the group, saying his part in the band had become “increasingly untenable” for him.
Williams released another statement overnight saying he “stands by the victims”, and the band also released a statement on Thursday, citing “irreconcilable creative differences” as the reason for their split.
On Thursday, Darling Brando’s record label, Sony Music Australia, also told TMN the band was no longer signed with the major following a recent and amicable split.
TMN contacted all members of the now-defunct band and Simon, who either did not respond in time for publication or declined to comment on the allegations.