Marilyn Manson has dropped his defamation lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood and agreed to pay her $327,000 in legal fees, effectively ending the case he filed in March 2022. Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, accused Wood and her collaborator Ashley Gore of falsely portraying him as a “rapist and abuser” in the public eye, particularly in the 2022 documentary Phoenix Rising. The lawsuit claimed the women had conspired to recruit accusers who falsely alleged abuse by Manson over several years.

However, Manson’s case suffered a significant setback in May 2023 when a judge largely sided with Wood, invoking California’s anti-SLAPP statute, which protects free speech. The judge dismissed most of Manson’s claims, ruling that he hadn’t shown sufficient evidence to support his accusations. Manson appealed but ultimately chose to dismiss the lawsuit and pay Wood’s legal fees.

Wood’s lawyer, Michael Kump, said Manson’s lawsuit was a publicity stunt aimed at undermining her credibility. Manson’s attorney, Howard King, stated that his client was glad to close this chapter of his life. The dispute between Manson and Wood began in February 2021, when Wood publicly accused Manson of years of abuse. In addition to Wood, Manson has faced multiple sexual misconduct lawsuits, most of which have been dismissed or settled. Manson denies all allegations of abuse.