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Ryan Adams Responds To Sexual Misconduct, Abuse Claims After Months Of Silence: 'Believe Women'
Ryan Adams, a Grammy-nominated musician and producer, was accused of victimizing several women earlier this year, with one woman claiming that they had phone sex while she was still underage.
Nearly six months after being accused of various forms of sexual misconduct, musician and producer Ryan Adams is speaking out about the claims once again.
An explosive New York Times report published in February compiled the stories of several women, including actress Mandy Moore, who claimed that Adams, 44, sexually coerced them, manipulated them, or otherwise victimized and abused them. One woman claimed that her relationship with Adams began when she was underage.
Adams denied the claims in a series of tweets shortly after the Times’ report was published, but has been largely silent on the topic, until now.
“I have a lot to say. I am going to. Soon. Because the truth matters,” Adams wrote in a lengthy Instagram caption Saturday. “It’s what matters most. I know who I am. What I am. It’s time people know. Past time.”
He went on to refer to “madness and misunderstanding,” writing, “There’s enough of that in this world. My work was always meant to be a map for the lost. I’ve tried my best to be open and accountable.”
Adams later suggested that he would be making more music, writing, “I’ve always wanted to help. I’m trying. So, soon... because it’s time to get back to what I do best. I’m here for the music, for the love and for making things better.”
Adams referenced struggles in his life, like the death of his brother, before writing near the end of his post, “Believe Women. Believe Truth. But never give up on being part of solutions, and healing.”
The allegations made against Adams include claims that he preyed on a young girl and that he used his position in the music industry to manipulate and control female artists. Using the pseudonym Ava, a 20-year-old musician told The Times that she and Adams first began talking to each other online when she was just 14 years old, and that they progressed to phone sex, which included Adams exposing himself to her, when she was 15.
Another musician, Phoebe Bridgers, told the outlet that she met Adams when she was 20, and that he seemed open to working with her professionally; their relationship then took a turn for the romantic, and Adams became controlling and abusive, and cut ties with her professionally after she ended things, she claimed.
Other female artists told similar stories, and actress Mandy Moore, who was married to Adams for five years, claimed that he was controlling and "psychologically abusive" during their time together, to the detriment of her career, according to The Times.
Adams’ lawyer denied the claims, calling them “outlandish” in a statement to The Times. Adams himself commented briefly on the allegations in a series of tweets, calling the report “upsettingly inaccurate” but also issuing an apology to “anyone I have ever hurt, however unintentionally.”
Some who were close to Adams spoke out seemingly in support of Adams’ alleged victims, with his guitarist publicly pleading with Adams earlier this year to “get help,” according to PEOPLE.
The report seems to have had an effect on Adams’ career as well. His forthcoming album was put on hold after the allegations were uncovered, and a tour of the U.K. was cancelled, according to Spin.
Adams seemed to take a break from social media around the same time, but began posting on Instagram again over the weekend, sharing a number of posts that seem to suggest that he is recording new music.
