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 and the frontman of the band Marilyn Manson, formed in 1989. Known for his controversial stage persona and blending of industrial rock with elements of shock rock, Manson gained prominence in the 1990s. His stage name, a combination of Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson, reflects the band's thematic exploration of the dichotomy between good and evil, beauty and ugliness, and fame and infamy. Manson's music and performances often challenge societal norms and address themes of religion, sex, violence, and conformity, leading to both critical acclaim and public controversy.

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 organized a bipartisan press conference criticizing the record industry for selling "prepackaged, shrink-wrapped nihilism", specifically targeting rap music and Marilyn Manson's Smells Like Children album. C. Delores Tucker called Smells Like Children the "dirtiest, nastiest porno record directed at children that has ever hit the market".

December 1996: Empower America criticizes MCA

In December 1996, Empower America organized another press conference criticizing MCA president Edgar Bronfman Jr. for profiting from "profanity-laced" albums by Marilyn Manson, Tupac Shakur, and Snoop Dogg.

1996: Antichrist Superstar Sparks Controversy

In 1996, Marilyn Manson's second studio album, 'Antichrist Superstar', sparked a fierce backlash among Christian fundamentalists and was an immediate 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", and Lieberman claimed Manson's music drove young listeners to suicide, calling the band the "sickest group ever promoted by a mainstream record company".

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April 20, 1999: Columbine High School Massacre

On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold committed the Columbine High School massacre, killing thirteen and wounding twenty-four before committing suicide. Media reports alleged they were wearing Marilyn Manson T-shirts and influenced by violence in entertainment. Despite evidence they preferred other bands, Manson was blamed for the tragedy.

2000: Implication in Nun's Murder and Arrest in Rome

In 2000, Marilyn Manson faced controversy when an elderly nun was murdered in Italy by schoolgirls reportedly influenced by him. Soon after, he was arrested following a concert in Rome for allegedly "tearing off his genitals," which Manson claimed was politically motivated due to his implication in the murder by Italian tabloids.

2000: Holy Wood Album Release

In 2000, Marilyn Manson released the album 'Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)' as a response to mainstream media blaming him for the Columbine High School massacre.

2000: Inspiration for Holy Wood Album

In 2000, the lyrical content of Marilyn Manson's album Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) was largely inspired by the Columbine massacre. Manson stated it was a rebuttal to the accusations leveled against him by mainstream media in connection to the tragedy.

April 3, 2002: Maria St. John files lawsuit against Manson

On April 3, 2002, Maria St. John sued Marilyn Manson, accusing him of providing her daughter, Jennifer Syme, with cocaine and instructing her to drive under the influence, leading to Syme's fatal car crash after leaving a party at Manson's house.

2002: Appearance in Bowling for Columbine

In 2002, Marilyn Manson discussed the Columbine massacre and its aftermath in Michael Moore's documentary Bowling for Columbine, providing his perspective on the media's portrayal of his role in the tragedy.

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June 30, 2003: Jodi Jones Murder

On June 30, 2003, 14-year-old Jodi Jones was murdered in Scotland. Marilyn Manson's film Doppelherz and paintings depicting the Black Dahlia were presented as evidence during the trial of her boyfriend, Luke Mitchell, who was found guilty.

2003: Media Blame in French Vandalism Case

In 2003, French media blamed Marilyn Manson when several teenagers vandalized the graves of British war heroes in Arras, France, further fueling controversies surrounding his image and influence.

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. This incident further connected Manson to school shootings controversies.

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

On May 18, 2009, Justin Doucet entered Larose-Cut Off Middle School in Louisiana with a pistol. After being refused a demand to say "Hail Marilyn Manson", he fired shots and then shot himself, later dying from his injuries, further perpetuating the association between Manson and violent incidents.

2018: Charlyne Yi's Accusation

In 2018, actor Charlyne Yi accused Marilyn Manson of harassing them and other women on the set of the series House, adding to the growing number of allegations against him.

August 19, 2019: Incident with Videographer

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

September 2020: Former Acquaintances Communication

In September 2020, several of Marilyn Manson's former acquaintances began communicating with one another, potentially related to future allegations or legal actions.

January 21, 2021: Senator Rubio's Request for Investigation

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

2021: Collaboration on Kanye West's album Donda

In 2021, Marilyn Manson co-wrote and was a featured artist on "Jail pt 2", a song on Kanye West's album Donda. Manson also appeared alongside West at several events promoting the album, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for his work on the song.

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2021: Abuse Allegations

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

September 2022: LACSD Presents Findings to Gascón

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 Bianco

In January 2023, Esmé Bianco and Marilyn Manson reached an out-of-court settlement with undisclosed terms of agreement in 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 that he groomed and sexually assaulted her 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 in legal documents, claiming she was "manipulated" and "pressured" by Evan Rachel Wood and her associates to make allegations against Marilyn Manson that were "not true".

September 2023: Assault Case Settlement

In September 2023, Marilyn Manson plead nolo contendere to a misdemeanor count of simple assault stemming from a 2019 incident, receiving a sentence of 20 hours of community service and a fine of $1,400.

September 2023: Settlement in 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 and was made the week before the case was scheduled to go to trial.

December 2023: Walters's Lawsuit Reinstated

In December 2023, Ashley Walters's lawsuit against Marilyn Manson was reinstated following an appeal to the California Courts of Appeal, which excluded her lawsuit from the statute of limitations due to claimed suppressed memories.

July 2024: Dismissal of Portions of Jane Doe Lawsuit

In July 2024, substantive portions of the Jane Doe lawsuit 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: Gascón Considers New Evidence

On October 10, 2024, California district attorney George Gascón announced that he was considering new evidence in the case involving sexual assault 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 after initially appealing the anti-SLAPP ruling.

January 2025: No Charges Filed by LACSD

In January 2025, the LACSD concluded their 4-year criminal investigation of the abuse allegations against Marilyn Manson, and district attorney Nathan Hochman said charges would not be filed for either domestic violence or sexual abuse, because "we cannot prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt", and that the claims fell outside of the statute of limitations.

2025: Investigation Concludes

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