Marilyn Manson Pays Up After Dropping Lawsuit Against Evan Rachel Wood

Marilyn Manson, real name Brian Warner, has settled a lawsuit he filed against Evan Rachel Wood. The lawsuit claimed defamation after Wood accused him of sexual abuse in 2021. As part of the settlement, Manson will pay Wood around $327, 000 in legal fees. Wood's lawyer, Michael J. Kump, said Manson's lawsuit was a failed attempt to revive his career. The lawsuit claimed Wood and her partner, Illma Gore, made false statements about Manson using an underaged actress and filming a sexual assault. It also said they impersonated an FBI agent. Manson's lawyer, Howard King, said Manson is pleased to dismiss the lawsuit and move on. The settlement comes after the court ruled in Wood's favor under California's anti-SLAPP law, which protects free speech. Wood was one of several women who accused Manson of abuse. Their relationship was public in 2007 when Wood was 19 and Manson was 38. Wood said she was abused for years and is now speaking out against Manson.