"I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives. I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent.”
Those were the words of Evan Rachel Wood when she named Marilyn Manson as the man who had allegedly abused her during their relationship in the late 2000s. Wood's explosive statement, posted on Instagram in February 2021, preceded an avalanche of allegations levelled against Manson from former partners, lovers and associates, amongst them Game Of Thrones actress Esme Bianco and Manson's former assistant, Ashley Walters (Bianco and Manson have since settled; Walters' lawsuit is set to be heard in court in June 2025). The allegations ranged from the concerning to the downright shocking, including numerous accounts of rape, violence and intimidating behaviour.
