LOS ANGELES — Actor Evan Rachel Wood denies pressuring or manipulating model Ashley Morgan Smithline into making false rape allegations against their mutual ex, musician Marilyn Manson.
The “Westworld” and “Thirteen” star’s declaration was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday — the latest court filing in Manson’s defamation case against her and artist Illma Gore. Manson, 54, whose real name is Brian Hugh Warner, sued Wood and Gore in March 2022, alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, violation of the Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act and impersonation over the internet.
“I never pressured or manipulated Ashley Morgan Smithline to make any accusations against Plaintiff Brian Warner, and I certainly never pressured or manipulated her to make accusations that were not true. It was Ms. Smithline who first contacted me in March 2019,” Wood said in a sworn declaration obtained by the L.A. Times.
