Marilyn Manson tried taking a page from Hollywood pal’s playbook, only to forget one game-changing detail

Marilyn Manson (real name Brian Warner), the shock rocker known for his controversial persona, has faced serious allegations of abuse and misconduct over recent years. Most notably, Westworld actress Evan Rachel Wood, a former partner, accused him in February 2021 of grooming her as a teenager and subjecting her to “horrific” abuse during their relationship between 2007 and 2010. These allegations inspired several other women to come forward with similar claims. Manson denied the accusations, calling them “horrible distortions of reality,” and countered with a defamation lawsuit against Wood in March 2022.

Unlike Johnny Depp’s defamation case against Amber Heard, which garnered significant public support and resulted in a favorable verdict for Depp, Manson’s lawsuit against Wood ended in failure. He dropped the case and agreed to pay approximately $327,000 in attorneys’ fees. Wood’s representatives described the lawsuit as a publicity stunt aimed at discrediting her and other accusers, with the court finding Manson’s claims meritless.

A statement released by Wood’s team emphasized that the legal action backfired:

“Marilyn Manson – whose real name is Brian Warner – filed a lawsuit against Ms. Wood as a publicity stunt to try to undermine the credibility of his many accusers and revive his faltering career. But his attempt to silence and intimidate Ms. Wood failed.”

The public and social media overwhelmingly supported Wood. Users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision and celebrated the outcome as a victory for survivors of abuse. Unlike Depp, Manson did not benefit from a wave of online advocacy, which may have influenced the case’s public perception and, ultimately, its outcome.

This case highlights the challenges survivors face in speaking out, especially against powerful public figures, and the often-hostile cultural climate of victim-blaming. Wood’s success in this case is seen as a step forward, offering hope and solidarity to other survivors.

While Manson’s legal efforts have ended unsuccessfully, Wood’s bravery in sharing her story continues to resonate. Many hope she can move forward positively and focus on her future, knowing she has received widespread support for standing up against abuse.