Marilyn Manson Drops Lawsuit Against Evan Rachel Wood, Pays $327K in Legal Fees

Marilyn Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, has decided to drop the defamation lawsuit he filed against Evan Rachel Wood in March 2022.

The lawsuit, which sought to discredit Wood's allegations of abuse, was abandoned by Manson after years of legal battles. As part of the settlement, Warner has agreed to pay nearly $327,000 to cover Wood’s attorneys' fees.

Wood, who has long accused Manson of rape and sexual abuse, rejected a previous offer from Manson earlier in 2024 to settle the case confidentially. Her legal team strongly criticized the lawsuit as an attempt to silence her and undermine the credibility of other women who have accused Manson of similar abuse.

The lawsuit was filed shortly before the release of the documentary Phoenix Rising, in which Wood recounted her abuse by Manson and her advocacy for abuse survivors through the Phoenix Act. Warner’s suit had alleged that Wood and co-defendant Illma Gore had orchestrated a smear campaign, including fraudulent letters and a swatting incident. However, most of these claims were struck down by a judge, and Warner’s appeal was ultimately dropped in favor of this settlement.

Wood’s legal team issued a statement celebrating this victory, emphasizing that Manson’s attempt to intimidate her had failed. The settlement marks a significant chapter in the ongoing legal and public struggle surrounding the sexual abuse allegations against Manson. As Wood looks to continue her advocacy for survivors, this legal win reinforces the power of speaking out against powerful figures.

Marilyn Manson Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Evan Rachel Wood, Pays $327K in Legal Fees