The courtroom drama featuring Marilyn Manson and Evan Rachel Wood just wrapped up, and let’s just say it ended with Manson quietly tiptoeing out the back door while writing a big ol’ check to Evan’s attorneys. Yep, the shock rocker—who’s apparently been moonlighting as a litigious drama queen—has officially dropped his defamation lawsuit against his ex, nearly three years after dragging her name through the legal mud.
Let’s rewind: Back in March 2022, Manson (whose off-stage name is Brian Warner—less rock ‘n’ roll, more middle manager at a tech firm) sued Evan Rachel Wood, claiming she painted him as a “rapist and abuser” in public. He also threw in a curveball accusation about her allegedly impersonating an FBI agent. Because why stop at one bold claim when you can make it a double feature?
Fast-forward to today, and this saga has fizzled out with Manson agreeing to pay Evan’s legal fees—totaling a spicy $327,000. For reference, that’s roughly the cost of a modest house or, in Hollywood terms, the catering budget for a Netflix pilot.
The Attorneys Chime In (With Zingers)
Evan’s lawyer, Michael J. Kump, didn’t hold back, calling the whole lawsuit a “publicity stunt” designed to discredit Evan and give Manson’s career a CPR session. “Spoiler alert: It didn’t work,” Kump quipped (probably). He went on to say that the case was “meritless,” which is lawyer-speak for “total baloney.”
Meanwhile, Manson’s attorney, Howard King, tried to spin this as a win, claiming his client is “pleased to close the door on this chapter.” Sure, buddy—nothing screams “victory lap” like coughing up six figures and walking away empty-handed.
How Did We Get Here?
The roots of this mess stretch back to February 2021, when Evan Rachel Wood publicly accused Manson of sexual assault and abuse, inspiring other women to come forward with similar allegations. Manson, in response, decided to sue for defamation, apparently thinking this would somehow clear his name. Spoiler alert: it did not.
Evan’s legal team hit back hard, filing motions under the anti-SLAPP statute—a fancy legal maneuver that protects people from lawsuits trying to silence free speech. The court sided with Evan last year, ordering Manson to pay her legal fees. His team tried to settle the whole thing on the sly, offering a smaller payout and a confidentiality agreement, but Evan’s side shut that down faster than a TikTok trend.
And Now, The Curtain Falls
With Manson officially dropping the case and ponying up the cash, this legal circus is finally over. For Manson, it’s probably time to figure out what’s next—maybe a career in crafting overly dramatic Yelp reviews? And for Evan Rachel Wood, it’s a step closer to closure after a very public and very messy ordeal.
Moral of the story? Sometimes, even rockstars have to learn the hard way that you can’t sue your way out of bad behavior—or your legal bills.
