Yesterday, actress Evan Rachel Wood came forward and confirmed that the abusive partner she’d referenced in previous statements was in fact shock rocker Marilyn Manson. In the wake of this, several other women have come forward with accounts of Manson manipulating and abusing them, as has a former personal assistant who claims to have witnessed Wood’s mistreatment firsthand. Since then, Marilyn Manson has released a statement denying these claims, but did not do so before his U.S. record label dropped him.
Shortly after news about Wood’s revelation made the rounds, Loma Vista Recordings, Manson’s U.S. record label whose roster also includes Ghost and Grey Daze, posted the following statement to social media: “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 work with Marilyn Manson on any future projects.”
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A few hours later, Manson himself posted a statement to social media, writing, “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.”
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Marilyn Manson’s episode of the anthology horror series Creepshow and his cameo in the Starz TV show American Gods have both been pulled. Regarding American Gods, Starz wrote, “Starz stands unequivocally with all victims and survivors of abuse. 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. pic.twitter.com/trXVFd6KFO
— American Gods US (@americangodsus) February 2, 2021
Finally, Rose McGowan, Manson’s former girlfriend and one of the driving forces behind the #MeToo movement, has come out praising Wood for speaking out. McGowan posted to her Instagram saying, “I am profoundly sorry to those who have suffered the abuse & mental torture of Marilyn Manson.
“When I say Hollywood is a cult, I mean the Entertainment industry including the music industry is a cult. Cult’s protect the rot at the top. Theirs is a sickness that must be stopped. The industrial fame complex chooses who they protect & who they’ll let be their victims. For profit.
“I stand with Evan Rachel Wood and all of those who have or will come forward. And please don’t pull out the ‘why did they take so much time to come forward?’ question that shames victims/survivors, it’s what stops others from coming forward. And to all of those who have covered for monsters, shame on you. Rise and say no more.”
More on this story as it unfolds. If you or someone you care about is suffering abuse at the hands of their partner, please contact RAINN or call 800.656.HOPE (4673). Remember: you are not alone.
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Words by Chris Krovatin
