Marilyn Manson Withdraws Defamation Lawsuit Against Evan Rachel Wood.
Marilyn Manson, 55,has officially withdrawn his defamation lawsuit against actress Evan Rachel Wood, 37, marking the end of a two-year legal battle. According to court documents, Manson and Wood reached a settlement on November 19, with Manson agreeing to compensate Wood with approximately $327,000 for her legal fees.
Marilyn Manson Instagram
Manson’s attorney, Howard King, commented on the resolution, stating, “After four years of engaging in a battle where he was able to present the truth, Brian is satisfied to dismiss his pending claims and appeal, thereby closing this chapter of his life.”
In response, Wood's representative remarked, “Marilyn Manson — known as Brian Warner — initiated a lawsuit against Ms. Wood as a publicity tactic aimed at discrediting his numerous accusers and reviving his struggling career." They further added, “However, his efforts to silence and intimidate Ms. Wood were unsuccessful. The trial court rightly determined that Warner’s claims lacked merit. Warner’s choice to ultimately withdraw his lawsuit and compensate Ms. Wood with her full fee award of nearly $327,000 only reinforces this conclusion.”
The lawsuit stemmed from Manson’s legal action in March 2022, following Wood's public allegations of sexual abuse during their relationship, which began when she was 18.
Manson claimed that Wood and her partner Illma Gore had coerced women into making false accusations against him and even impersonated FBI agents to intimidate them. Wood was one of at least 15 women who accused Manson of sexual misconduct.
Evan Rachel Wood
In his defamation suit, Manson denied the claims, calling them “horrible distortions of reality” and alleging that Gore and Wood had publicly branded him a rapist and abuser, which he argued had derailed his career in music, television, and film.
Wood had publicly shared her experience of sexual assault by a “significant other” in 2016. In 2018, she testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee in Washington, D.C., advocating for the Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights Act. In February 2021, Wood identified Manson as her alleged abuser, and in the HBO documentary Phoenix Rising, she detailed her claims, including an incident during the filming of a music video in 2007.
Reflecting on that experience, Wood stated, “It's nothing like I thought it was going to be. We’re doing things that were not what was pitched to me. … We had discussed a simulated sex scene, but once the cameras were rolling, he started penetrating me for real. I had never agreed to that. I’m a professional actress, I’ve been doing this my whole life; I’ve never been on a set that unprofessional in my life up until this day.”
With Manson now withdrawing his lawsuit and agreeing to pay legal fees, the case brings a close to a highly publicized chapter in the ongoing legal and personal disputes between the two former partners.
Marilyn Manson is known for his eccentric personality and quirky behaviors, both on and off stage. His infamous stage name is a combination of two very different cultural icons: actress Marilyn Monroe and criminal Charles Manson.
He explained that he chose the name to symbolize the juxtaposition of fame and infamy, creating a persona that embodied both beauty and chaos.
Marilyn Manson
Manson is also known for his unique art collection, which includes pieces by controversial artists like Andy Warhol. He even owns artifacts from various historical periods, including a "mummified" shrunken head, which adds to his eccentric reputation. In addition to his music career, Manson has always been passionate about film.
He once stated he wanted to be a filmmaker and has appeared in several films and TV shows. He has a particular fondness for the works of directors like David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick.
During the era of his album Antichrist Superstar, Manson was notorious for his controversial live performances, which included disturbing imagery such as burning American flags, using fake blood, and performing symbolic acts of self-destruction.
He once claimed to have "unleashed the anti-Christ in himself" during the making of the album, embracing his shock-rock persona.
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson also shared a unique experience in a 1997 interview, where he discussed his public image with then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Despite their differences, he said it was one of the "most interesting" conversations he had with a political figure, acknowledging that they found common ground on some cultural issues.
Before adopting his infamous persona, Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, had a very different upbringing. Raised in a Christian household, he sang in his church's youth choir.
These earlier life experiences in religion have been a frequent source of inspiration for his music and stage persona.
In addition to his work as Marilyn Manson, he has been involved in various side projects, including collaborations with notable figures like Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and even actress-turned-musician Courtney Love.
His work spans multiple genres, from industrial rock to electronic music, showcasing his creativity beyond just shock-rock. All of these quirks and experiences have contributed to the enigmatic and controversial persona Manson continues to cultivate.
