Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley responds after former manager denies sexual abuse accusations
Earlier this month, Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley released his memoir, Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell. In the book, Whibley claimed that the band’s former manager, Greig Nori, sexually abused and groomed him as a 16-year-old.
Since the release of the memoir, which painted Nori as a controlling figure throughout the early days of Sum 41’s existence, the former manager and Treble Charger frontman has responded to Whibley’s accusations.
Speaking with the Toronto Star last week, the music mogul refuted the claims, stating, “The accusation that I initiated the relationship is false. I did not initiate it. Whibley initiated it, aggressively.” Notably, the manager did not directly address any specific allegations of abuse.
Now, in response to Nori’s refuting of the allegations, Whibley has shared some more information about the situation via his social media accounts. Posting a video to Instagram on October 15th, the ‘Fat Lip’ singer shared, “I take no pleasure in coming out with the truth about what happened between me and my ex-manager, but it was something that I just couldn’t keep in anymore, and I had to let it out.”
“It’s come to my attention that Greig Nori has now called me a liar,” the video continued, addressing Nori’s refusal of the allegations. “I tell you right now,” the frontman said, “I stand behind every word that’s in my book, 100 percent. I’m not a liar.”
Whibley addressed Nori directly within the video, “Greig Nori, if you think I’m a liar, there’s only one way to settle this,” he said. “Under oath, in front of a judge, in front of a jury. Anytime you want. I’m ready. Whenever you are,” Whibley continued.
Nori and Whibley first crossed paths when the Sum 41 singer was 16 years old, and Nori was 17 years his senior. Initially, Sum 41 had been fans of Nori’s band, Treble Charger, which soon led Nori to become the manager of the pop-punk band. Within his memoir, Whibley writes about Nori forcibly kissing him at a rave during the late 1990s.
The autobiography also alleged that Nori once told the singer, “Most people are bisexual; they’re just too afraid to admit it,” and that he had accused Whibley of homophobia when the Sum 41 songwriter tried to end these instances of abuse.
Since the publication of the book, Whibley has repeatedly expressed an interest in engaging in legal proceedings surrounding the case, as well as Nori’s refusal of the claims. Speaking to the Toronto Star, he shared, “If he wants to challenge it, I welcome that. Let’s go to court. Let’s go under oath. That would be fucking great!” Nori has yet to comment on potentially bringing the case to court.
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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