Marilyn Manson has released a statement, speaking publicly for the first time about allegations that actress made against a former boyfriend, believed to be Marilyn Manson, who abused her. In short, Manson denies that the Wood allegations are about him.
In April, video footage surfaced of Westworld star Evan Rachel Wood testifying in front of California state senators last year to create the Phoenix Act has resurfaced. Wood detailing a very abusive relationship she had when she was eighteen years old.
Wood's testimony detailed being mentally and physically tortured by an older man when she was 18-years-old. It was very public knowledge that Wood began dating Marilyn Manson in 2006 when she was 18 and he was 36. You can see the details of her accusations here. Manson even willingly admitted to some of the abuse in a 2009 interview with Spin.
After Metal Hammer magazine tried to broach the subject, Manson ended the interview. Manson's reps did say that he would be willing to offer a statement, so Hammer sent 10 questions regarding the incident. Hammer posted the questions they sent Manson's rep at this location and, the rep responded “We have advised our client not to comment further on your article,” and instead offered the below long statement addressing some of the claims.
In short, Manson denies he ever abused Wood. He points to positive things Wood said in the press shortly after their breakup, and positive things women he was involved with romantically in the past have said, including Rose McGowen and Dita Von Teese.
Here is the full statement:
“Personal testimony is just that, and we think it’s inappropriate to comment on that.
“You then go on to talk about Manson being accused of ‘terrible things’ by unnamed ‘critics’ but offer no guidance on who these critics are and what these things are, so it’s not possible to comment.
“You then mention Mickey Rourke. It is my understanding that Evan Rachel Wood dated multiple people around the time she was dating Manson. Basic internet research will give you a host of other names that have not come up in any of our discussions.
“Your next couple of points deal with comments Manson made in Spin magazine in 2009. Your confusion around the timeline of this is extremely worrying. [Editor’s note: there is no confusion around this timeline.] The comments in Spin where Manson had a fantasy of using a sledgehammer on Evan and he cut himself 158 times was obviously a theatrical rock star interview promoting a new record, and not a factual account. The fact that Evan and Manson got engaged six months after this interview would indicate that no one took this story literally.
“You go on to talk about Manson commenting on sexual harassment, Me Too and specifically the experiences of his ex partner Rose McGowan. These are all issues that Manson has publicly addressed and are available online. Please see Channel 4 interview from 15th December 2017.
“Manson has never shied away from public comment – equally he does not have to make the same comment twice.
“There will be no further comment on specific songs. Your journalist had the opportunity to ask Manson about his music – one of only two interviews granted in the UK – and he chose not to. Trying to weave one section of one song from an artist with a 30 plus year career to fit a narrative is both disingenuous and troublesome.
“You mention Manson’s ex fiancée Rose McGowan in your questions. Rose is one of the bravest and most outspoken figureheads of the Me Too movement. Manson remains friends with McGowan and she talks very fondly of their three a half years together. There are multiple sources worldwide. I link to a Washington Post article on McGowan’s memoir Brave.
“You fail to mention Manson’s ex-wife Dita Von Teese, who remains good friends with Manson. Quoting from a Female First article published in 2018, ‘Dita admits she has been ‘lucky’ to avoid any abusive episodes in the entertainment industry in her career.’
“There are also numerous articles over multiple years where Evan Rachel Wood speaks very positively about her relationship with Manson. In NetAPorters.com’s The Edit: ‘I wouldn’t trade any of [our relationship],’ Wood told the mag. ‘I appreciate everything he taught me. I just don’t think we were right for each other.’
“Finally you talk about death threats. Manson knows all about those – he has had many. He has spent his career being blamed for everything from Columbine to teenage suicide. Unfortunately, we live in a time where people believe what they read on the Internet, and feel free to say what they want with no actual evidence. The effects can be catastrophic and promoting non fact based information is wholly irresponsible. All we can try and do, as the media and individuals, is to use facts and truth and not hide behind gossip and conjecture to further our own agendas.”
The song in question is on the new album, and it's called "Perfume" and features lyrics like ‘So you wear your damage on your sleeve… Cause victim is chic/You’re as famous as your pain’ and vague threats like ‘In your hair will be brains.’
How do you feel about Manson's latest statement?
