Marilyn Manson Ends Lawsuit Against Evan Rachel Wood

Marilyn Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, has dropped his defamation lawsuit against ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood, agreeing to pay approximately $327,000 to cover her legal fees. The lawsuit, filed in March 2022, accused Wood of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress following her public allegations of sexual and mental abuse. Manson's legal team described the withdrawal as a decision to move on from the prolonged legal battle, while Wood's attorneys labeled the lawsuit as a publicity stunt to undermine his accusers' credibility. The court had previously dismissed most of Manson's claims under anti-SLAPP laws, which safeguard free speech. Manson's decision to abandon the lawsuit comes amid an ongoing criminal investigation involving multiple allegations against him. Wood's legal team emphasized that the court's rulings affirmed the meritlessness of Manson's claims.