Marilyn Manson’s Lawsuit Against Evan Rachel Wood Ends

Marilyn Manson has officially decided to withdraw his lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood, which he initiated to revive his defamation claims against the actress. This significant legal move marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict between the two following serious allegations and counterclaims.

According to documents acquired by Rolling Stone, Manson has agreed to pay a substantial amount of $327,000 to cover Wood’s legal expenses. This agreement appears to bring closure to the extended legal battle that began in 2022 when Manson filed a defamation lawsuit, alleging fraud and conspiracy against Wood. The resolution of this case is seen as a critical development in both Manson’s and Wood’s public narratives.

Understanding Marilyn Manson’s Initial Defamation Lawsuit Against Evan Rachel Wood

In 2022, Marilyn Manson initiated a lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood, shortly after she publicly accused him of being her abuser. This lawsuit named both Wood and her partner, Illma Gore, claiming that they orchestrated a fraudulent scheme and conspired to tarnish his reputation. Manson’s allegations arose in the context of Wood’s brave revelation of her traumatic experiences, which subsequently prompted other women to come forward with similar allegations against him.

Notably, the lawsuit was filed just before the release of Phoenix Rising, a compelling two-part documentary in which Wood shared her stories of alleged sexual abuse and assault by the musician. As the public became increasingly aware of these allegations, they sparked wider discussions about accountability and the treatment of survivors in the entertainment industry.

READ MORE: A Detailed Timeline of Abuse Allegations Against Marilyn Manson

Within Manson’s legal claims, he accused Gore of creating fraudulent email accounts to impersonate him, hacking into his computer and social media accounts, and sending threatening communications in his name. These serious allegations illustrated the contentious nature of their conflict. However, a California judge dismissed several key aspects of Manson’s lawsuit against Wood in May 2023, leading to a court order for him to cover Wood’s legal fees in January 2024.

In August 2024, reports emerged that Manson was attempting to revive his lawsuit, alleging that Wood had forged a letter from a legitimate FBI agent aimed at damaging his reputation. In response, Michael Kump, Wood’s attorney, stated that Manson’s appeal merely reiterated previously dismissed claims, emphasizing that Wood had not fabricated the FBI correspondence.

The Factors Influencing Manson’s Decision to Withdraw the Lawsuit

Attorneys Kump, Shawn Holley, and Katherine Kleindienst released a statement clarifying that Manson sought to settle the lawsuit earlier in the spring while simultaneously appealing the judge’s previous ruling. They noted that Manson’s initial settlement proposal involved covering a portion of Wood’s legal expenses in exchange for confidentiality regarding the settlement terms. However, Wood declined this offer, with her legal team asserting her desire for transparency and rejection of any confidentiality clauses.

According to Wood’s representative, “Marilyn Manson — whose real name is Brian Warner — filed a lawsuit against Ms. Wood as a publicity stunt to undermine the credibility of his numerous accusers and attempt to rejuvenate his struggling career. Ultimately, his endeavor to intimidate and silence Ms. Wood was unsuccessful.” The representative further stated that the trial court’s dismissal of Manson’s claims confirmed their lack of merit. Manson’s choice to abandon his lawsuit and compensate Wood for her legal fees only reinforces this perspective.

Warner’s attorney, Howard King, conveyed to Rolling Stone that after four years of navigating a challenging legal landscape, Brian is relieved to dismiss his ongoing claims and appeals, allowing him to move forward and close this chapter in his life. This decision emphasizes a crucial turning point in his personal and professional journey.

With Manson’s withdrawal from legal action against Wood, many of the legal disputes have reached resolution. Nevertheless, in October, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón revealed that prosecutors are investigating “new leads and additional evidence” emerging from the ongoing investigation by the L.A. County Sheriff Department, indicating that the case surrounding Manson may not yet be entirely resolved.

Marilyn Manson’s Musical Comeback After Controversy

Earlier this year, Marilyn Manson made his much-anticipated return to the music scene, performing his first comeback show in August as a supporting act on Five Finger Death Punch’s summer tour. This marked a significant moment in his efforts to re-establish his presence in the music industry amidst ongoing controversies.

READ MORE: Discovering Who Is In Marilyn Manson’s Live Band in 2024

In addition to his live performances, Manson released his first new song titled “As Sick as the Secrets With” in August, signifying his first musical output since the serious allegations surfaced against him. Following this, in September, he announced a new album titled One Assassination Under God – Chapter 1, which is slated for release on November 22. This marks an important step in his artistic journey as he seeks to navigate his career’s complexities while reconnecting with his audience.