Marilyn Manson has responded to allegations that he was abusive to his ex Evan Rachel Wood after he was dropped by his record label.
The musician said the claims were “horrible distortions of reality,” after the actor publicly named the musician on Instagram and said he began “grooming” her when she was a teenager and “horrifically abused me for years”.
Wood, star of TV sci-fi series Westworld and Disney’s Frozen II, was briefly engaged to Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, in 2010.
Amid a growing backlash, the 52-year-old singer responded on Monday night, insisting his relationships “have always been entirely consensual”.
In a statement shared on Instagram, he said: “Obviously, my art and my life have long been magnets for controversy, but these recent claims about me are horrible distortions of reality.
“My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners. Regardless of how – and why – others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, that is the truth.”
Following Wood’s allegations and those of other women who came forward, Loma Vista Recordings said it was no longer working with Manson.
It said in a statement: “In light of today’s disturbing allegations by Evan Rachel Wood and other women naming Marilyn Manson as their abuser, Loma Vista will cease to further promote his current album, effective immediately.
“Due to these concerning developments, we have also decided not to work with Marilyn Manson on any future projects.”
And US TV network Starz said Manson’s guest appearance in fantasy drama American Gods will be removed from an upcoming episode.
The network said: “Due to the allegations made against Marilyn Manson, we have decided to remove his performance from the remaining episode he is in, scheduled to air later this season. Starz stands unequivocally with all victims and survivors of abuse.”
AMC has also pulled an episode of horror anthology series Creepshow that was set to feature Manson, according to Deadline.
Manson’s most recent album released through Loma Vista Recordings was 2020’s We Are Chaos, which reached number seven in the UK charts and eight in the US.
Manson found fame in the 1990s and became known for his distinctive appearance.
If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you are not in immediate danger, you can contact:
- The Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run by Refuge: 0808 2000 247
- In Scotland, contact Scotland’s 24 hour Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline: 0800 027 1234
- In Northern Ireland, contact the 24 hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline: 0808 802 1414
- In Wales, contact the 24 hour Life Fear Free Helpline on 0808 80 10 800.
- National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428
- Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
- Respect helpline (for anyone worried about their own behaviour): 0808 802 0321