Chloe Sevigny Apologizes for Photos with Marilyn Manson Amid Public Backlash
Actress Chloë Sevigny, 50, has publicly apologized for a series of photos she took and briefly posted on Instagram Stories with controversial musician Marilyn Manson, 56, whose real name is Brian Hugh Warner. The images, which reportedly included one of Sevigny appearing to lick Manson’s face, drew immediate and intense backlash from her substantial fan base, leading the Oscar-nominated star to express “deep regret” for what she termed a “lapse in judgment.”
The controversial encounter occurred unexpectedly in the lobby of a hotel, as Sevigny explained in a now-deleted Instagram comment. She and her husband, art gallery director Siniša Mačković, were with director Jonas Åkerlund when they ran into Manson. Sevigny stated, “We’re both fans of Jonas as both a musician and a filmmaker, and in the moment, I wasn’t thinking clearly. I’d had too much to drink and didn’t consider how inappropriate or hurtful it might be to be photographed with MM.” The pictures were quickly deleted from her social media, but not before screenshots circulated online, igniting a firestorm among her followers.
Fan Outcry and Manson’s Controversial History
Fans swiftly voiced their disappointment and anger across Sevigny’s social media platforms. Comments such as “Pics with Marilyn Manson that’s gross?”, “The Marilyn Manson post is a disappointment sis. UNFOLLOWED,” and “I really admire you but I’m so disappointed that you have spent time with Marilyn Manson” flooded her posts, reflecting the gravity of public sentiment against Manson. The outrage stems from a long history of severe allegations against the musician.
Marilyn Manson has been the subject of numerous allegations of sexual abuse and assault from multiple women over the past several years. Prominent accusers include actress Evan Rachel Wood, 38, who first publicly named Manson as her abuser in February 2021, and actress Esmé Bianco, known for her role in Game of Thrones, as well as model Ashley Smithline. These women have detailed disturbing accounts of abuse, though Manson has consistently denied all allegations. While several lawsuits have been brought against him, the sexual abuse and assault claims themselves have not yet reached a criminal court.
In a significant development in January 2025, Manson dropped a 2022 defamation lawsuit he had filed against Evan Rachel Wood. As part of this resolution, he paid over $300,000 to cover Wood’s legal fees, a move seen by many as a tacit acknowledgment of the validity of the ongoing legal and public scrutiny surrounding his conduct. Beyond the sexual abuse allegations, Manson also faced legal trouble in 2019 when he was accused of blowing his nose on a camerawoman at a New Hampshire concert. This incident resulted in a fine and a sentence of 20 hours of community service, which he completed in February 2024.
Sevigny’s apology underscores the continued impact of these allegations on Manson’s public image and the wider entertainment industry, highlighting the immediate and often unforgiving response from a public increasingly aware and vocal about accountability for alleged misconduct.
