Photo: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
Ryan Adams‘ guitarist Todd Wisenbaker is speaking out after numerous women have come forward accusing Adams of emotional abuse and sexual misconduct. The outcry began last week following a report inThe New York Timesdetailing the claims of seven women, including his former wifeMandy Moore.
“There were times when I chose to believe his insane version of the truth because it was easier than believing that anyone is capable of being this much of a monster,” Wisenbaker wrote. “It’s sickening and embarrassing. I’ve recently learned that pretty much everything he’s ever told me is a lie upon a lie upon a lie. There are excuses and denials for everything.”
Wisenbaker went on to claim that he urged Adams to get help, and even tried to render assistance himself. “I believe in forgiveness,redemption and recovery, but my life has become a complete s—storm of someone else’s utter delusion,” he continued.
In conclusion, he added that he hadn’t come forward earlier because he is “actively afraid for the safety of my family,” and stressed that the women who have come forward with abuse allegations are “brave beyond words.”
“This is incredibly hard for me to do but Ryan please get help,” he captioned the note.
Ryan Adams.Dan Hallman/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Wisenbaker is not the only man close to Adams who has come forward to support the claims of these women — which has grown to includethe model and musician Karen Elson. Marshall Vore, Adams’ former drummer who went on to back Phoebe Bridgers — Adams’ ex girlfriend and one of the accusers named in theTimesreport — also posted a statement to Instagram slamming theHeartbreakermusician.
“Everything everyone is saying is true,” he wrote in part, echoing the sentiments of Wisenbaker. “i saw a lot of it and believed the weird web of lies he would tell. after a while a lot of them i just knew weren’t true and yet i did nothing. for a long time i said nothing. i’ll never make that mistake again.”
“This guy has been a huge lesson in my life about how not to treat people,” Vore continued. “the last two years of my life playing with phoebe has proved that this isn’t how music is, and that music is actually filled with good people who care about each other. if you have a situation you’re not sure about or someone is promising you things or pressuring you, please feel free to reach out. i live on IG. also, I’m incredibly proud of the people who are brave enough to tell their stories in public. it’s a hard thing to do and it’s truly making a difference. i love you guys, man.”
Moore, 34, shared screenshots of both men’s Instagrams on her Story, overlaid with text reading “Thank you for your candor and your bravery.”
Singer-songwriterJason Isbell, who was set to appear on Adams’ yet-to-be-released albumWednesdays, also addressed the abuse allegations in a Twitter dialogue with fans. When asked whether he believed theTimesreport, he answered simply, “Yep.” Isbell, 40, also denied any prior knowledge of the abusive behavior.
According toVariety, Adams’ proposed trilogy of albums slated for release this year have been “put on hold” amid the abuse allegations. The first,Big Colors, was due out April 19.
InThe New York Timesreport, Moore — who has previously opened up to PEOPLE about herdifficult marriage to Adams(they wed in 2009 and divorced in 2016) — said her ex-husband, now 44, took charge of her music career in 2010 three years after they first met when she was 23.
TheThis Is Usstar claimed he “discouraged” her from working with other producers and managers, but after writing songs together Adams would “replace her with other female artists” when it came time to record the tracks.
The actress also said he was “psychologically abusive” and belittled her musical abilities. “His controlling behavior essentially did block my ability to make new connections in the industry during a very pivotal and potentially lucrative time — my entire mid-to-late 20s,” Moore told theTimes.
A 20-year-old woman named Ava also claimed that Adams had “sexual conversations” with her when she was just a teen.
Adams denied Moore’s claims via his lawyer, saying her “characterization” of their relationship is “completely inconsistent with his view.”
Mandy Moore and Ryan Adams.Kevin Mazur/WireImage; Presley Ann/Getty Images
Adams’ lawyer Andrew B. Brettler denied the claims to theTimes, saying his client never “engaged in inappropriate online sexual communications with someone he knew was underage.” Brettler also said the allegations come from “disgruntled individuals” who blame the singer for personal or professional disappointments, according to the outlet.
Adams also addressed the allegations in a series of tweets, alleging that “the picture that this article paints isupsettingly inaccurate.”
“I am not a perfect manand I have made many mistakes. To anyone I have ever hurt, however unintentionally, I apologize deeply and unreservedly,” wrote the singer-songwriter,” he wrote. “But the picture that this article paints is upsettingly inaccurate. Some of its details are misrepresented; some are exaggerated; some are outright false. I would never have inappropriate interactions with someone I thought was underage. Period.”
“As someone who has always tried to spread joy through my music and my life, hearing that some people believe I caused them pain saddens me greatly. I am resolved to work to be the best man I can be. And I wish everyone compassion, understanding and healing,” he added.
The same year that her divorce was finalized, Moore exclusively spoke with PEOPLE about her six-year marriage and moving on after a painful divorce.
“There are moments of being curled up in a ball on the floor,” Moore admitted. “It’s really hard. But I’ve moved on and progressed in the stages of grief and being angry and feeling the loss and all that. I do believe things happen for a reason. And I think I had that mantra moving through the trying times.”
“I wasn’t a participant in my own life for a while,” Moore added. “I poured so much of myself into my personal life and when that wasn’t as fruitful as I hoped it would be and I extricated myself from that situation, I was able to realize I wasn’t honoring myself and my dreams and what I wanted in life.”
If you suspect domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
