Judge orders Marilyn Manson to pay Evan Rachel Wood’s legal fees in defamation case
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Teresa A. Beaudet has ordered Marilyn Manson to pay Evan Rachel Wood’s legal fees that she accumulated during their defamation lawsuit.
The fees relate to the defamation and emotional distress claims, which has since been removed from their upcoming trial, which is set to commence on May 1st. Manson lodged the defamation suit against Wood and her friend Ilma Gore in 2022, claiming their depiction of him as a “as a rapist and abuser” had negatively affected his career.
However, the claims were thrown out by a judge in May. Following the verdict on the two aforementioned charges, Wood’s lawyers said in a statement: “For years, Plaintiff Brian Warner raped and tortured Defendant Evan Rachel Wood and threatened retaliation if she told anyone about it. Warner has now made good on those threats by filing the present lawsuit.”
Wood initially sought $388,000 in legal fees from Manson, but as first reported by Rolling Stone, Beaudet has ruled that the rock singer must pay her around $60,000. The reasoning for the lower settlement is due to the judge stating many hours in Wood’s billing were “vague”.
Although the defamation lawsuit has been dismissed, Wood and Gore are still set to face trial in May. In the suit, Manson alleges they attempted to hack his computer in order to impersonate him on the internet.
During a recent appearance on the Navigating Narcissism podcast, Wood told host Dr Ramani of her decision to make public allegations against Manson: “When I realised what a physical impact it was having on me, that was a breaking point, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to stay quiet. I realised my silence was keeping me really sick.”
Meanwhile, Game of Thrones actress Esmé Bianco also sued Manson for sexual, physical and emotional abuse in 2021 before later reaching an out-of-court settlement with the singer in 2023.
In a statement, Bianco’s laywer, Jay Kellenger, said of the settlement: “Ms. Bianco has agreed to resolve her claims against Brian Warner and Marilyn Manson Records, Inc. in order to move on with her life and career”.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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