Mandy Moore Accuses Ex Ryan Adams of Abusive Behavior as 6 Other Women Come Forward With Allegations

More than half a dozen women have accused Ryan Adams of sexual misconduct and emotional manipulation, including his ex-wife Mandy Moore. According to a shocking new exposé published by the New York Times, the women spoke out about how Adams would offer to jumpstart their careers before sexually pursuing them, and retaliating if they “spurned” him.

Moore, 34, was married to the musician, 44, from 2009 until 2016. The actress claims that when she parted ways with her music manager, Adams essentially took control of her music career. Her ex would allegedly promise to record songs, then not actually follow through with it. Moore also claims that he would book studio time for her, then replace her with other singers.

“He would always tell me, ‘You’re not a real musician, because you don’t play an instrument,’” Moore said. “His controlling behavior essentially did block my ability to make new connections in the industry during a very pivotal and potentially lucrative time — my entire mid-to-late 20s.”

“What you experience with him — the treatment, the destructive, manic sort of back and forth behavior — feels so exclusive,” Moore said, discussing how she felt it was psychological abuse. “You feel like there’s no way other people have been treated like this.”

However, through his lawyer, Adams claimed Moore’s portrayal of their relationship is “completely inconsistent with his view of the relationship,” according to the Times. Adams reportedly supports her “well-deserved professional success.” His lawyer addressed how he was more than willing to assist Moore in her career and did not prevent her from collaborating with others in the industry.

One of his other accusers is a fan named Ava, now 20, and she alleges they started talking online when she was only 14, building an online relationship that eventually led to sexual conversations. She even claims Adams exposed himself to her via Skype during one instance. According to the texts, Adams questioned Ava about her age repeatedly, but she did not always answer honestly.

Phoebe Bridgers, who began working with Adams when she was 20, discussed how their relationship allegedly turned emotionally abusive. “There was a mythology around him,” she told the Times. “It seemed like he had the power to propel people forward.”

Adams did release a statement via Twitter, but it has since been deleted. “I am not a perfect man and I have made many mistakes,” it read. “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.”