Actress Evan Rachel Wood has spoken publicly about her abusive relationship with Marilyn Manson, revealing disturbing details about the control and intimidation she experienced, as reported by The Times.
Wood described the extensive control that Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, exercised over her daily life and the cult-like nature of his inner circle.
“Warner controlled when I slept, what I wore and when I ate,” Wood said. “He would have his assistants follow me around and send him photos of what I was doing so he knew where I was.”
The actress explained how the systematic nature of the abuse made it particularly difficult to escape.
“His circle, his sphere, it operated very much like a cult,” she continued. “You’re up against an entire system — which makes it twice as hard to leave and twice as scary to speak out.”
Wood also revealed that she continues to face ongoing intimidation and safety concerns even after speaking out about the abuse.
“There’s a lot of intimidation that comes with that — trying to keep you quiet or to blackmail you, to ruin your reputation, to hack into your electronics,” she said. “I still get followed by cars. I still have phishing attempts on my computer. I still have numbers calling me over and over again.”
Wood’s allegations against Manson stem from a relationship that began when she was significantly younger than the controversial musician.
Multiple reports indicate that Wood first met Manson in 2003 when she was just 19 years old and he was 34. The pair began dating publicly in 2007. They became engaged briefly in 2010 but ultimately ended their relationship that same year. The significant age gap and power dynamic between the established rock star and the young actress has become a central element in understanding the alleged abuse.
In February 2021, Wood publicly accused Manson of grooming and abusing her starting when she was a minor. This public revelation prompted Manson to file a defamation lawsuit against her in March 2022, seeking to discredit her claims and restore his reputation. However, the legal battle ended decisively in Wood’s favor when the case was dismissed with prejudice in November 2023. This means Manson cannot refile the lawsuit.
Wood’s courage in speaking out has had far-reaching consequences beyond her own case. Since her 2021 allegations became public, at least 14 other women have come forward with their own accusations of sexual assault and abuse against Marilyn Manson. These additional allegations have contributed to investigations by authorities in multiple states. They have created a broader pattern of alleged misconduct.
The widespread nature of the allegations has effectively ended Manson’s mainstream career. His record label dropped him and several planned projects were canceled. Wood’s initial decision to break her silence has created a domino effect. It has encouraged other alleged victims to share their experiences and seek justice through the legal system.
