Evan Rachel Wood has said she is ‘not scared’ after Marilyn Manson filed a lawsuit against her over the ‘malicious falsehood’ of abuse allegations against him referenced in her new documentary Phoenix Rising.
The 53-year-old rocker, who has been accused of sexual and physical abuse by multiple women, is suing the Westworld star for defamation, fraud, and emotional distress.
Wood first named Manson – real name Brian Warner – as her alleged abuser in February 2021, claiming the gothic singer abused her ‘for years’ when she became involved with him when she was 18 and he was 38.
The singer has denied the claims.
Manson now alleges the 34-year-old actress – who was in a relationship with the Dope Show hitmaker between 2007 and 2010, and has claimed her former fiancé ‘essentially raped’ her while filming a music video – has ‘derailed his successful music, TV and film career’.
In response to the lawsuit, Wood said her ex is simply trying to silence her, ‘as expected’, and she knows the truth is on her side and is ‘confident’ she will get justice.
Appearing on The View, she said: ‘I can’t, obviously, speak about any of the specific allegations of the lawsuit, but I am not scared.
‘I am sad, because this is how it works, this is what pretty much every survivor that tries to expose someone in a position of power goes through, and this is part of the retaliation that keeps survivors quiet.
‘This is why people don’t want to come forward, because this is – this was – expected.’
The Golden Globe nominee, who documents being a survivor of domestic violence in Phoenix Rising, insisted she is not trying to ‘clear’ her name, rather ‘protect’ others from a ‘dangerous person’.
The model added: ‘I am very confident that I have the truth on my side and that the truth will come out, and that this is clearly timed before the documentary [and] this is the reason. So yes, again, I’m not doing this to clear my name, I’m doing this to protect people.
‘I’m doing this to sound the alarm that there’s a dangerous person out there and I don’t want anybody getting near him. And so people can think whatever they want about me, I have to let the legal process run its course. And I’m steady as a rock.’
Manson’s representative told Entertainment Weekly following the interview that he ‘vehemently denies any and all claims of sexual assault or abuse of anyone.’
His lawyer Howard King commented: ‘As we detailed in our lawsuit, nothing that Evan Rachel Wood, Illma Gore or their hand-picked co-conspirators have said on this matter can be trusted.
‘This is just more of the same.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Brian Warner’s rep and lawyer for further comment.
Domestic abuse helpline
If you are in immediate danger call 999. If you cannot talk, dial 55 and the operator will respond.
For emotional support, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Alternatively, for practical and emotional support, please contact Women’s Aid Live Chat 10am – 6pm seven days a week.
You can also reach the National Centre for Domestic Violence on 0800 270 9070 or text NCDV to 60777.
For free and confidential advice and support for women in London affected by abuse, you can call Solace on 0808 802 5565 or email advice@solacewomensaid.org.
Male victims of domestic abuse can call 01823 334244 to speak to ManKind, an initiative available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.
Alternatively, the Men’s Advice Line can be reached at 0808 8010327, or emailed at info@mensadviceline.org.uk.
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