Marilyn Manson has officially dropped his defamation lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood and has agreed to cover her legal fees.
The lawsuit stemmed from Wood’s February 2021 accusations against Manson, in which she alleged that he subjected her to sexual assault, psychological abuse, and other forms of coercion and violence during their relationship.
Manson’s suit claimed that Wood and her associate Illma Gore engaged in a coordinated effort to damage his reputation, accusing them of hacking his computers and social media, fabricating evidence, impersonating an FBI agent, and making false and defamatory statements.
In May 2023, a California judge dismissed the majority of Manson’s claims, citing California’s anti-SLAPP law, which protects individuals’ free speech. The court also ordered Manson to pay Wood’s legal fees, amounting to $326,956.
Although Manson initially sought to appeal the ruling, he has now opted to abandon the case entirely and pay the full legal fees.
“Marilyn Manson—whose real name is Brian Warner—filed a lawsuit against Ms. Wood as a publicity stunt to undermine the credibility of his many accusers and revive his faltering career,” stated Wood’s legal team. “His attempt to silence and intimidate Ms. Wood failed. As the trial court correctly determined, Warner’s claims were baseless. His decision to withdraw the lawsuit and pay nearly $327,000 in legal fees only reinforces that fact.”
This development marks the latest chapter in the highly publicized legal battle between the former couple, further emphasizing the ongoing conversation about accountability and survivors’ voices in the entertainment industry.