Mandy Moore Responds To Ryan Adams After He Issues Public Apology For Past Behaviour

After musician Ryan Adams issued a lengthy apology this weekend for alleged abusive and predatory behaviour against multiple ex-partners and underage fans, his ex-wife Mandy Moore has stated that he had not reached out privately to her.

— This article discusses abuse and child abuse. —

A series of allegations were made against Adams in an explosive New York Times report released February 2019, where Moore and several other of Adams’ exes, including Phoebe Bridgers, accused Adams of using his status as a revered musician to control and manipulate them.

Messages between Adams and an underage fan were also documented, in which he allegedly made sexual comments and asked for the fan to tell no-one about their conversations.

In the article’s own words, it “described a pattern of manipulative behaviour in which Adams dangled career opportunities while simultaneously pursuing female artists for sex”.

In a follow-up on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, Moore said she was “so sad” while with Adams.

“I was living my life for him,” Moore told Maron. “I had no sense of self…It was so untenable and unsustainable and it was so lonely. I was so sad. I was lonely with him.”

Adams has previously commented on the allegations by essentially side-stepping them to say he wanted to focus on music: he had previously planned to release three albums in 2019, which were put on hold.

His apology this weekend is his clearest comment on the matter yet, though he does not address his accusers directly or make direct reference to the allegations.

“All I can say is that I’m sorry. It’s that simple. This period of isolation and reflection made me realise that I needed to make significant changes in my life,” Adams wrote. “I’ve gotten past the point where I would be apologising just for the sake of being let off the hook and I know full well that any apology from me probably won’t be accepted by those I’ve hurt.”

He also mentioned he has written a lot of music during his “exile”. As Variety points out, recent updates to his various social media accounts suggests this is the first step of a return to releasing music.

In response, both Moore and singer-songwriter Karen Elson, who after the NYT report came forward with her own “traumatic” experiences with Adams, have said they haven’t heard from Adams. Moore was asked about his apology on the US Today show during an appearance on Monday (via Consequence Of Sound).

“It’s challenging because I feel like in many ways I’ve said all I want to say about him and that situation, but I find it curious that someone would make a public apology but not do it privately,” Moore said. “I am speaking for myself, but I have not heard from him, and I’m not looking for an apology necessarily, but I do find it curious that someone would do an interview about it without actually making amends privately.”

Elson tweeted after Adams’ apology to say she hadn’t heard from him since 2018.

“I believe in redemption and amends even for him. However he has not reached out to me since 2018 to apologise for his terrible behaviour,” Elson wrote. “In fact back then he called a liar which added more pain and made me disillusioned with the entire music industry.”

“I would like to hope he would contact women he has hurt via his representatives to apologise privately and give us the opportunity to speak our truth on all the ways his actions caused suffering and for him to listen and try to make amends. That said I hope he’s listening now.”

Pitchfork has reached out to Bridgers, who declined to comment but has previously hinted she hasn’t heard from Adams since the report.

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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.