Mandy Moore breaks her silence after accusing ex-husband Ryan Adams of emotional abuse: 'Speaking your truth can be painful'
Mandy Moore has no regrets about speaking out against her ex-husband, Ryan Adams.
The This Is Us star and six other women accused Adams of emotional abuse and harassment in a New York Times story Wednesday. After the story broke, she took to social media to make it clear that she feels she did the right thing. “Speaking your truth can be painful and triggering but it’s always worth it,” she wrote. “My heart is with all women who have suffered any sort of trauma or abuse. You are seen and heard.” She ended the post with “#sisterhoodforever.”
A post shared by Mandy Moore (@mandymooremm) on Feb 13, 2019 at 9:52pm PST
Moore told the newspaper that Adams took charge of her music career in 2010, three years after they met, when she was 23. She said he “discouraged” her from working with other producers and managers, and that after writing songs together, he would “replace her with other female artists” when it came time to record. “He would always tell me, ‘You’re not a real musician, because you don’t play an instrument,’” she told the New York Times. She said she considered his behavior psychologically abusive.
Adams, through his lawyer, said Moore’s account of their time together was “completely inconsistent with his view of the relationship.” He also said he was supportive of her “well-deserved professional success,” and never prevented her from working with other producers.
Six other women also came forward accusing Adams of harassment and emotional abuse — including his ex-fiancée, Megan Butterworth, but Adams denied the “extremely serious and outlandish accusations.” He later posted this thread on Twitter:
I am not a perfect man and I have made many mistakes. To anyone I have ever hurt, however unintentionally, I apologize deeply and unreservedly.
— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) February 13, 2019
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.
— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) February 13, 2019
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.
— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) February 13, 2019
Moore has been getting a lot of her love from her inner circle — and beyond — for speaking out. Actress Minka Kelly, one of her best friends, posted on Instagram and Twitter.
I am so proud of the graceful, class act that you are, @TheMandyMoore.
You are stronger and braver than most. What a joy it has been to watch you soar these past three years.
You’ve only just begun. ?? https://t.co/aDgx382d2v— Minka Kelly (@minkakelly) February 14, 2019
There were a few more reactions to the exposé:
I know a few women who have dated this man and these claims are definitely true. I believe Mandy Moore and the women who put their necks and careers on the line to tell their stories. We’ve got your backs. #TimesUp https://t.co/s0YRzrElGk
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) February 14, 2019
Welp. Just deleted all of the Ryan Adams music I had in my library. BYE. https://t.co/2tD4mefYlZ
— Busy Philipps (@BusyPhilipps) February 13, 2019
Hm like Morrissey Michael Stipe Ozzy Osbourne Stevie Nicks… please. Love you @TheMandyMoore
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) February 14, 2019
Thank you to these women for being brave and holding him accountable for his abuses of power.
"Ryan Adams Dangled Success. Women Say They Paid a Price." https://t.co/1aagccfzBm
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) February 14, 2019
Thank you to Mandy, Phoebe, Courtney and others for speaking out. This is an important article. This also cracks the door on more like him in our industry. There are more. Thank you to the @nytimes for continuing these important reveals. We're all fed up. https://t.co/xlU6ibjubX
— V a n e s s a C a r l t o n (@VanessaCarlton) February 14, 2019
Moore and Adams were married in 2009 and divorced in 2016. It was clear it wasn’t a friendly split — as they reportedly fought over finances and the care of their cats. And the bitterness has lingered. Last October, Moore told Glamour that her first marriage wasn’t the “smartest decision” and that led Adams, who has a well-publicized history of mental illness and drug use, to go on a Twitter rant of negative comments about her, including how he didn’t remember their wedding because he was too high on painkillers. Moore told Bustle the next month, “When I think back to that particular time period,” when she was married to Adams, “it was heavy. It was dark. It was confusing. It was lonely.”
In November, Moore married her “very favorite person,” Taylor Goldsmith. They tied the knot at their L.A. home.
A post shared by Mandy Moore (@mandymooremm) on Nov 19, 2018 at 1:15pm PST
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