‘Marilyn Manson: Unmasked’ director Karen McGann on the musician’s alleged abuse and “cult-like” following

nme.com:

Marilyn Manson: Unmasked Karen McGann has spoken to NME about the upcoming three-part Channel 4 series that explores the musician’s rise to fame and allegations of abuse against him.The docuseries was announced last week, with a press release explaining that it will “unravel the shocking story of one of rock music’s most polarising figures,” including “the chilling abuse allegations that have engulfed his career”.In 2021, his former partner, the actor Evan Rachel Wood, accused Manson – real name Brian Warner – of grooming, abuse and manipulation.

In 2022, she also claimed that Warner “essentially raped” her “on-camera” when they filmed the music video for his 2007 song ‘Heart-Shaped Glasses (When the Heart Guides the Hand)’.After Wood’s initial statement, a number of other women made allegations against the musician.

These included Game Of Thrones actor Esme Bianco, who filed a lawsuit alleging sexual assault, physical abuse and human trafficking.Warner strongly denied the allegations, which he described as “horrible distortions of reality”.

The singer countersued Wood for defamation and emotional distress. He dropped the lawsuit last November and agreed to pay her $327,000 in attorney fees.