In a newly published exposé from the New York Times, multiple women have accused Ryan Adams of sexual misconduct and career manipulation, including well-known artists like his ex-wife, singer/actress Mandy Moore, and singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, and one underage musician with whom Adams pursued a sexual relationship.
The piece details the stories of Moore, Bridgers and others who claim that Adams first approached them to help launch or bolster their musical careers while pursuing them sexually, sometimes convincing them to avoid working with other musicians and producers, eventually becoming emotionally and/or verbally abusive toward the younger musicians if they rejected his advances, even threatening to withhold recordings they’d made together.
“Music was a point of control for him,” Moore tells the Times, also noting that Adams effectively halted her musical career during their six-year marriage by blocking her from other opportunities and belittling her accomplishments with comments like, “You’re not a real musician, because you don’t play an instrument.”
Bridgers’ experience with Adams began in 2014 when she was 20 and began to work with Adams in the studio, and the two had a romantic relationship. “There was a mythology around him,” Bridgers says. “It seemed like he had the power to propel people forward.” The relationship eventually evolved into an abusive situation, with Adams becoming controlling. After the breakup, Bridgers says, Adams threatened to not release the music they’d recorded for his PaxAm label. Adams also later reportedly exposed himself to Bridgers without consent in a hotel room.
Among the other women who came forward—including ex-fiancée Megan Butterworth and musician Courtney Jaye, both of whom have similar stories of professional and/or personal relationships gone bad—is 20-year-old bassist Ava (identified by the Times by her middle name), who had a nine-month relationship with Adams when she was 15 and 16. The Times reports of thousands of texts sent between the two, beginning with Adams offering career help and evolving into sexual correspondences, phone sex and naked video calls. Adams reportedly frequently asked Ava about her age, with varying responses from the younger musician, and Adams repeatedly asked her to keep their interactions secret.
Through his lawyer, Andrew B. Brettler, Adams denies all of the allegations, saying that Adams “unequivocally denies that he ever engaged in inappropriate online sexual communications with someone he knew was underage” and calls Adams’ relationship with Bridgers “a brief, consensual fling.” Brettler calls the Times piece “extremely serious and outlandish accusations” that amount to “grousing by disgruntled individuals.”
Read the full New York Times piece here.
Other than his lawyer’s statements, Adams has not publicly responded to the accusations. The musician had previously announced that he would be releasing three studio albums this year, including Big Colors, which as of now is still due out April 19.
UPDATE: Ryan Adams has responded on Twitter with the following statement:
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.
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.
26 Comments comments associated with this post
Greg
February 15, 2019 at 11:20 amGood question philzone. Lost all respect for mr lesh supporting that obvious liar in her failed political quest.
Poops McGee
February 14, 2019 at 9:31 pmPhil has covered many a Ryan Adams tune. Ryan Adams is an amazing musician and song writer. Neal Casal was in his band, The Cardinals. That’s why this website is covering these accusations. Keep listening to Pigeons playing Ping pong kids.
thephilzone.net
February 14, 2019 at 6:09 pmI wonder if Phil is going to kick down $10k for Mandy’s defense fund like he did for Susan Ford?
S-
February 14, 2019 at 5:43 pmAgree Piri – wtf?
Piri
February 14, 2019 at 5:23 pmMy comment is only WHY am I reading about this on Relix or Jambands? Don’t come here for stuff I can read about on Page Six! Or does Pege Shapiro control that now too?
Supposed to be about the jams.
Piri
February 14, 2019 at 5:16 pmMy comment is only WHY a. I reading about this on Relix or Jambands? Don’t come here for stuff I can read about on Page Six! Or does Pege Shapiro control that now too?
Supposed to be about the jams.
todd
February 14, 2019 at 3:27 pmRyan Adams is a perverted weirdo? I am frankly shocked that there is gambling in this casino.
Theodore Donald Kerabatsos
February 14, 2019 at 2:29 pmThe real joke is that he states “tried to spread joy through his music.” The dude writes the most depressing songs i’ve ever heard…
What’s a petterass walter?
Nick Tutino
February 14, 2019 at 1:26 pmRyan Adams has made some embarrassing remarks publicly on various forms of social media, but these allegations are unfounded, and heresay. Everyone knows the situation with Phoeble Bridgers and she is a namedropping low class young artist that spoke out of turn, and did or does not need to tell her sad, oh woeful story private. As an artist on his label, any records she sells are profitable to both of them, she just wrote a song about a certain matter that does not need names prior to every performance. Not soo classy Phoebe..If Norah Jones, who is a long time collaborator was amongst the names accusing him of anything but professional relations, than I think it’s a combination of exaggerated rumors and Relix, turning tabloid for sales and public scrutiny 2 months prior to the release of a new album, on his label. The last thing I remember reading Mandy Moore saying publicly is how much the double album Cold Roses has stuck with her, and her deep appreciation for it. This will soon be forgotten and R.A. will continue to make brilliant music.
Nicks mom
February 14, 2019 at 3:29 pmYou sir are an idiot.
Jambone
February 14, 2019 at 12:46 pmSlacker is a big fan
Yuck mouth
February 14, 2019 at 9:13 amI love Dave the slave !!! You make my day !
Ron
February 14, 2019 at 1:20 amI wonder if this was a Valentine’s day gift to him from the girls? 14 is so disgusting and pathetic IF it is true. There is a big if here. Hope it’s not.
DJ Slavin’ Dave
February 13, 2019 at 11:40 pmIn other news, Adam’s supergroup collaboration “Pelvic Thrust” featuring Mike Gordon, Boyd Tinsley, andAnthony Kiedis will postpone their release cover version of “Great Balls of Fire”.Initially recorded to be included on the Harvey Weinstein Legal Defense Fund cd, their scheduled appearance at the Fire Island Jazz Fest may also be in Jeopardy. Pictures at 11.
M. Moore
February 13, 2019 at 10:32 pmWhat are you trying to say Jen?
Mils Mulfgren
February 14, 2019 at 2:44 pmYeah Jen? What are you trying to say?
Jen
February 13, 2019 at 10:22 pmi laughed at Mandy Moore’s narrative that his boundless power basically controlled the entire music industry into not giving her career a chance to continue. what a joke.
Walter Sobcheck
February 13, 2019 at 10:19 pmHe’s a petteradst dude…14 year olds
Ron S
February 13, 2019 at 10:12 pmI think it’s probably blown out of proportion, but either way he is in the wrong.
Paco Taco
February 13, 2019 at 8:47 pmAnd I wish everyone compassion, understanding and healing. Really? After reading this, perhaps you Ryan, and not the victims, need your psychopathic advice.
M. Moore
February 13, 2019 at 8:35 pmOh he is a hipster icon, he will be fine. I’m mean I guess we just over look the genius exposing himself to a 14yr old huh (((typical)))
Mgtow Libertarian
March 27, 2019 at 8:06 pmLeftist power hungry broads attacked this man. Gig is up Broads many know how you minipulate people to advance. It’s a shame Ryan has to be smeared in an attempt to be victimized & monatary assets forfeit from holywierd broads.he is a sincere man/musician. Nobody is perfect “as he said” but painting this picture of him is minipulative,incorrect,& evil.
joe
February 13, 2019 at 8:15 pmWow, kinda brings new meaning to the Summer of 69.
Slooops
February 13, 2019 at 8:27 pmHaha. Wrong guy. Ryan not Bryan
Adams Bryan
February 13, 2019 at 7:33 pmThe joke is guilty by accusation, lets see how it all plays out.
Bryan Adams
February 13, 2019 at 6:52 pmHa! Glad I never invested time into this guys mysic. What a joke.