Why did Marilyn Manson sue Evan Rachel Wood? Shock rocker drops defamation lawsuit

Marilyn Manson, the controversial musician, has officially dropped his 2022 defamation lawsuit against former partner Evan Rachel Wood, agreeing to pay $327,000 to cover her attorney’s fees. 

The legal case stemmed from Wood’s 2021 allegations of grooming and abuse, which she detailed in the HBO documentary Phoenix Rising.

In his lawsuit, Manson accused Wood and her partner, Illma Gore, of coercing women to make false allegations against him and even impersonating FBI agents to intimidate him. 

The suit claimed that Wood and Gore “secretly recruited, coordinated, and pressured prospective accusers to emerge simultaneously with allegations of rape and abuse against Manson.”

Wood was among at least 15 women who publicly accused Manson of sexual misconduct, charges the musician has vehemently denied, stating they were fabricated and meant to tarnish his career.

The lawsuit gained significant attention following the release of Phoenix Rising, in which Wood alleged that Manson raped her during the filming of his 2007 music video. 

She claimed, “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.”

After nearly two years of legal proceedings, Manson’s attorney, Howard King, told People: “After 4 years of fighting a battle where he was able to tell the truth, Brian [Manson] is pleased to dismiss his still-pending claims and appeal in order to close the door on this chapter of his life.”

Wood’s representative, meanwhile, stated that Manson’s “attempt to silence and intimidate Ms. Wood failed.” Both Manson and Wood have remained silent on the case’s conclusion.

The case highlighted the volatile history between Manson and Wood, who dated from 2007 to 2011. As the legal battle concludes, the allegations and accusations surrounding their relationship continue to spark debates about abuse, accountability, and the complexities of public figures in high-profile relationships.