American musician Marilyn Manson, born Brian Warner, has formally withdrawn all litigation against his former girlfriend, actress Evan Rachel Wood, over her allegations of sexual assault and abuse.
The 55-year-old artist, known for hits such as The Beautiful People, not only dropped his lawsuit but also agreed to cover Wood’s legal fees amounting to $327,000. The payment follows a court order issued earlier this year, according to reports by TMZ.
In a statement to the outlet, Manson’s attorney, Howard King, explained the decision: “After four years of fighting to tell the truth, Brian is pleased to dismiss his pending claims and appeal in order to close this chapter of his life.”
Wood’s legal representatives, Michael Kump, Shawn Holley, and Katherine Kleindienst revealed that Manson had attempted to negotiate a settlement as recently as August, during the appeal process. His offer reportedly included a request for Wood to issue a joint statement with him and keep the settlement terms confidential in exchange for him covering a percentage of her legal costs. Wood, however, rejected the offer.
Ultimately, Manson dropped the lawsuit altogether and covered the full amount of Wood’s legal expenses. Her legal team characterized his initial lawsuit as a strategic attempt to discredit his accusers and repair his tarnished public image.
“A publicity stunt—that’s what this was,” Wood’s spokesperson said. “It was an effort to intimidate and silence Ms. Wood while trying to undermine the credibility of the many other women who have come forward against him. The trial court rightly determined that Warner’s claims were without merit. His decision to abandon the lawsuit and pay Ms. Wood the full $327,000 she was awarded only underscores that fact.”
Manson originally filed the defamation lawsuit in March 2022, prior to the release of Wood’s HBO documentary, Phoenix Rising: Don’t Fall. In the documentary, the 37-year-old actress described her experiences of sexual assault and emotional abuse during her relationship with Manson, which lasted from 2006 to 2010. She detailed allegations that the musician subjected her to prolonged psychological torment and non-consensual acts during their time together.
In the suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Manson accused Wood and her associate, artist Illma Gore, of orchestrating a “conspiracy” to portray him as a “rapist and abuser,” alleging that their actions were aimed at sabotaging his career in music, television, and film. His claims, however, failed to gain traction in court.
Multiple women have come forward with similar accusations against Manson in recent years.
