After its explosive Russell Brand joint exposé with The Times made headlines around the world earlier this year, Channel 4 is now making another documentary on another problematic man in the public eye, which will this time focus on Marilyn Manson.
The musician, whose real name is Brian Hugh Warner, has faced several lawsuits since 2021, with allegations levied against him made by several women, accusing him of sexual and psychological assault. Among the women who have accused Warner are Game of Thrones actor Esme Bianco and Westworld actor Evan Rachel Wood. Warner has consistently denied all of the allegations against him, claiming that his 'intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners'.
According to an official synopsis of the documentary, Marilyn Manson: Behind the Mask 'will look at multiple allegations of sexual assault made against the US singer'.
‘Delving deep into his rock persona, this series examines the recent accusations against Manson and his ability to court controversy all while exploring how high-profile sexual assault allegations play out in today’s post #Metoo era.’
The documentary ‘has access to several of the accusers, lifelong fans, industry insiders, lawyers, a former band mate and his childhood best friend.
‘The series charts his rise to fame from a difficult childhood, through vilification and death threats to being championed as an advocate for those on the fringes of society and closely examines the fallout of the allegations for both the accusers and the accused.
‘It includes exclusive audio recordings of interviews with Rolling Stone alongside archive footage and never-before-seen photographs, to provide a first-hand portrait of one of the most controversial musicians of the twenty-first century.’
A two-part HBO documentary on the allegations against Warner premiered last March, in which Wood revealed that her former fiancé ‘always said that Hitler was the first rock star,’ adding that Manson was manipulative, made ‘fun’ of her for being Jewish, and got ‘multiple swastika tattoos.’
A release date for Marilyn Manson: Behind The Mask has yet to be announced.
Naomi May is a freelance writer and editor with an emphasis on popular culture, lifestyle and politics. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard as its Fashion and Beauty Writer, working across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Acting News Editor at ELLE UK and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others.
