Major Controversies Surrounding Marilyn Manson: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Marilyn Manson—discover key moments of controversy.

Marilyn Manson, born Brian Hugh Warner, is an American rock musician, best known as the lead singer and founder of the band Marilyn Manson in 1989. His stage name, like those of his former bandmates, is a combination of a female sex symbol's first name and a male serial killer's last name; in Manson's case, Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson. He is the only remaining original member of the band. Manson is known for his controversial stage persona and musical style that often explores themes of rebellion, anti-establishment sentiment, and societal critique.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

May 30, 1996: Empower America press conference

On May 30, 1996, Empower America held a press conference criticizing the record industry for selling "prepackaged, shrink-wrapped nihilism," with C. Delores Tucker calling Marilyn Manson's Smells Like Children the "dirtiest, nastiest porno record directed at children that has ever hit the market."

December 1996: Empower America criticizes MCA and Manson

In December 1996, Empower America criticized MCA president Edgar Bronfman Jr. for profiting from Marilyn Manson's "profanity-laced" albums. The band's live performances during the "Dead to the World Tour" also faced protests, with opponents making claims about Satanism and other illicit activities.

1996: Release of Antichrist Superstar

In 1996, Marilyn Manson released "Antichrist Superstar", an album that sparked a fierce backlash among Christian fundamentalists. The album was a commercial success.

November 1997: Congressional Hearings on Lyrical Content

In November 1997, Marilyn Manson's lyrical content was examined during congressional hearings led by Lieberman and Sam Brownback, to determine the effects of violent lyrics on young listeners. Raymond Kuntz blamed his son's suicide on the song "The Reflecting God" from the album Antichrist Superstar. Lieberman claimed Manson's music was driving young listeners to commit suicide, calling the band the "sickest group ever promoted by a mainstream record company".

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November 30, 1998: Craig Marks files lawsuit against Manson

On November 30, 1998, following reported backstage and hotel room damages during the Mechanical Animals Tour, SPIN editor Craig Marks filed a $24 million lawsuit against Marilyn Manson and his bodyguards, alleging assault.

February 19, 1999: Manson counter-sues Craig Marks

On February 19, 1999, Marilyn Manson filed a US$40 million counter-suit against SPIN editor Craig Marks for libel, slander, and defamation after Marks had sued him for assault. Marks later dropped his lawsuit, and Manson apologized for the incident and offered financial restitution.

April 20, 1999: Columbine High School Massacre

On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold committed the Columbine High School massacre. Initial media reports wrongly claimed the perpetrators wore Marilyn Manson T-shirts and were influenced by his music. Despite evidence linking the shooters to German industrial bands like KMFDM and Rammstein, media heavily blamed Marilyn Manson for the tragedy.

1999: Congressional Hearing on Violent Content

In 1999, Brownback chaired a United States Senate Committee hearing on the distribution of violent content to children in film, music, television, and video games. Witnesses criticized Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, and the film The Matrix for allegedly contributing to a cultural environment enabling violence like the Columbine shootings.

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October 27, 2000: David Diaz lawsuit

On October 27, 2000, security officer David Diaz sued Marilyn Manson for US$75,000 in a Minneapolis federal court, alleging battery from a concert in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The jury found in Manson's favor.

2000: Release of Holy Wood album

In 2000, Marilyn Manson released the album "Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)" as a direct response to mainstream media, who blamed Manson for influencing the perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre.

2000: Arrest in Rome

In 2000, Marilyn Manson was arrested after a concert in Rome for allegedly "tearing off his genitals." He claimed the arrest was politically motivated following Italian tabloids implicating him in a nun's murder.

July 30, 2001: Joshua Keasler lawsuit

On July 30, 2001, Marilyn Manson was charged with sexual misconduct against security officer Joshua Keasler during a concert in Clarkston, Michigan, leading to a civil suit. Manson pleaded no contest to reduced charges of misdemeanor disorderly conduct, paid a US$4,000 fine, and settled the lawsuit under undisclosed terms.

April 3, 2002: Maria St. John files lawsuit

On April 3, 2002, Maria St. John filed a lawsuit against Marilyn Manson, accusing him of providing her daughter, Jennifer Syme, with cocaine and instructing her to drive under the influence, which resulted in Syme's death after a party at Manson's house.

June 30, 2003: Murder of Jodi Jones and the Luke Mitchell Trial

On June 30, 2003, 14-year-old Jodi Jones was murdered in Scotland. During the trial of her boyfriend Luke Mitchell, the short film Doppelherz from Marilyn Manson's The Golden Age of Grotesque and Manson's paintings depicting the Black Dahlia were presented as evidence. Mitchell was found guilty, with the judge believing he was influenced by Manson's art.

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2003: French Media Blames Manson for Vandalism

In 2003, French media blamed Marilyn Manson when several teenagers vandalized the graves of British war heroes in Arras, France.

October 10, 2007: SuccessTech Academy Shooting

On October 10, 2007, Asa Coon, wearing a Marilyn Manson T-shirt, shot four people at SuccessTech Academy in Cleveland, Ohio, before committing suicide.

May 18, 2009: Larose-Cut Off Middle School Incident

On May 18, 2009, Justin Doucet, a student at Larose-Cut Off Middle School in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, shot himself after a teacher refused to say "Hail Marilyn Manson."

2018: Charlyne Yi's Accusations

In 2018, Charlyne Yi accused Marilyn Manson of sexually harassing them and other women and making racist remarks on the set of the series House.

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August 19, 2019: Incident with Videographer

On August 19, 2019, Marilyn Manson allegedly blew his nose on a videographer during a concert in New Hampshire, leading to a simple assault charge.

September 2020: Former Acquaintances Communicate

In September 2020, several of Marilyn Manson's former acquaintances began communicating with one another regarding allegations against him.

January 21, 2021: Senator Rubio's Letter to FBI and U.S. Attorney General

On January 21, 2021, California State Senator Susan Rubio wrote to the director of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney General, requesting an investigation into allegations against Marilyn Manson.

2021: Collaboration on Kanye West's "Donda"

In 2021, Marilyn Manson co-wrote and featured on "Jail pt 2" on Kanye West's album Donda. He appeared with West at promotional events, generating controversy, and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album due to his contribution.

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2021: Abuse allegations against Manson

In 2021, former partner Evan Rachel Wood accused Marilyn Manson of psychological and sexual abuse, allegations which Manson denied. Other women followed with similar accusations, and five women sued him in civil court.

September 2022: LACSD Presents Findings to District Attorney

In September 2022, the LACSD presented the findings of their 19-month investigation of the sexual assault allegations made against Marilyn Manson to California district attorney George Gascón.

January 2023: Out-of-Court Settlement with Esmé Bianco

In January 2023, Esmé Bianco and Marilyn Manson reached an out-of-court settlement with undisclosed terms of agreement regarding her lawsuit against him.

January 2023: Jane Doe Lawsuit Filed

In January 2023, another plaintiff identified as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit against Marilyn Manson, alleging grooming and sexual assault in the 1990s. The lawsuit also named Nothing Records and Interscope as co-defendants.

February 2023: Smithline Recants Allegations

In February 2023, Ashley Morgan Smithline recanted her allegations against Marilyn Manson, claiming she was manipulated by Evan Rachel Wood and her associates.

September 2023: Nolo Contendere Plea and Sentence

In September 2023, Marilyn Manson plead nolo contendere to a misdemeanor count of simple assault for the 2019 incident with a videographer. He received a sentence of 20 hours of community service and was fined $1,400, with $200 suspended.

September 2023: Settlement of First Jane Doe Lawsuit

In September 2023, Marilyn Manson settled the first Jane Doe lawsuit. The settlement was reached in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles, the week before the case was scheduled to go to trial.

December 2023: Reinstatement of Ashley Walters' Lawsuit

In December 2023, Ashley Walters' lawsuit against Marilyn Manson was reinstated following an appeal to the California Courts of Appeal after initially being dismissed in May.

July 2024: Dismissal of Portions of Jane Doe Lawsuit

In July 2024, substantive portions of the Jane Doe lawsuit against Marilyn Manson were dismissed, as the claims fell outside the remit of New York's Adult Survivors Act, in which the lawsuit was filed.

October 10, 2024: District Attorney Considers New Evidence

On October 10, 2024, District Attorney Gascón announced he was considering new evidence in the case regarding allegations against Marilyn Manson.

November 2024: Discontinuation of Lawsuit Against Wood and Gore

In November 2024, Marilyn Manson discontinued his defamation lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood and Ashley "Illma" Gore, agreeing to pay Wood's legal fees.

January 2025: Charges Not Filed

In January 2025, the LACSD concluded their 4-year criminal investigation of the abuse allegations, and Gascón's successor Nathan Hochman said charges would not be filed against Manson for either domestic violence or sexual abuse due to statute of limitations and lack of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

2025: Criminal investigation concludes without charges

In 2025, a four-year criminal investigation of the abuse allegations against Marilyn Manson by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department concluded with no charges filed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations and a lack of evidence.