Ryan Adams accused of emotional abuse, sexual misconduct by 7 women, including ex-wife Mandy Moore
Seven women have detailed a pattern of abusive psychological and emotional manipulation on the part of singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, who is the subject of a searing new report from The New York Times. Songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, Adams’ ex-fiancée Megan Butterworth, and This Is Us star Mandy Moore, who was married to Adams from 2009 to 2016, are among those interviewed. The Times also cites corroboration from numerous family members and friends, as well as by correspondence from Adams reviewed by reporters.
According to several sources, the 44-year-old promised career opportunities to young female songwriters as he simultaneously pursued sexual relationships with them. His behavior would routinely become obsessive and controlling, often giving way to emotional and verbal abuse, as well as physical intimidation and digital harassment. Sometimes, as in the case of Bridgers and songwriter Courtney Jaye, a rejection of Adams’ romantic advances could result in the singer rescinding promised opportunities. Moore and Butterworth, meanwhile, say Adams isolated them in ways both social and professional, dictating with whom they could engage or collaborate.
“Music was a point of control for him,” said Moore. She added, “What you experience with him—the treatment, the destructive, manic sort of back and forth behavior—feels so exclusive. You feel like there’s no way other people have been treated like this.”
Through a lawyer, Adams disputes the accounts provided by each of the women. He also says Moore’s characterization of their relationship is “completely inconsistent with his view of the relationship,” adding that he’s always been supportive of her “well-deserved professional success.”