Marilyn Manson Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Evan Rachel Wood

Marilyn Manson has officially dropped his defamation lawsuit against his former fiancée, actress Evan Rachel Wood. The legal battle, which had spanned years, centered around allegations Wood made against the singer in 2021.

For context, the 37-year-old Westworld actress accused Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, of “psychological abuse, violence, coercion, and intimidation” in February 2021. Manson, now 55, denied the allegations at the time, calling them “horrible distortions of reality.”

However, as of November 19, 2024, Manson has agreed to end his lawsuit, according to Rolling Stone. The settlement includes a payment of roughly $327,000 in attorney’s fees to Wood. Additionally, the Sweet Dreams singer has agreed to pay over $325,000 (£258,000) in legal fees to Wood herself.

The legal saga began after Wood went public with her allegations, joining several women who accused Manson of sexual and psychological abuse in 2021. The accusations stemmed from their relationship, which began in 2007 when Wood was 19 and Manson was 38. The pair became engaged in 2010 but ended their relationship shortly after.

Following Wood’s claims, Manson filed a defamation lawsuit against her in 2022, arguing that her accusations were false. However, his recent decision to drop the case marks the conclusion of this prolonged legal conflict.

Manson’s representatives have not commented on the reason for withdrawing the lawsuit. For Wood, this development comes as a resolution in her efforts to address her experiences publicly and legally.

The case highlights the broader conversations about abuse allegations in the entertainment industry, with both parties standing by their respective narratives. While Manson initially sought to challenge Wood’s claims through the courts, his withdrawal suggests a shift toward closure for both individuals.