Singer-songwriter Ryan Adams’ guitarist, Todd Wisenbaker, has called the emotional abuse and sexual misconduct accusations by seven women — including an underage teenage girl and his former wife, “This Is Us” star Mandy Moore — against the musician “sickening and embarrassing.”
“There were times when I chose to believe his insane version of the truth because it was easier than believing that anyone is capable of being this much of a monster,” Wisenbaker wrote on Instagram Tuesday. “It’s sickening and embarrassing. I’ve recently learned that pretty much everything he’s ever told me is a lie upon a lie upon a lie.”
Wisenbaker’s post comes a week after The New York Times described a pattern of Adams offering career opportunities to young female artists, then pursuing sex. Wielding his power as a successful musician/producer and record-company founder, he would sometimes “turn domineering and vengeful, jerking away his offers of support when spurned, and subject[ed] women to emotional and verbal abuse, and harassment in texts and on social media,” the Times wrote.
“I am not a perfect man and I have made many mistakes. To anyone I have ever hurt, however unintentionally, I apologize deeply and unreservedly,” Adams tweeted last week, following the report. “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 though was underage. Period.”
He added: “As someone who has always tried to spread joy through my music and my life, hearing that some people believe I caused them pain saddens me greatly. I am resolved to work to be the best man I can be. And I wish everyone compassion, understanding and healing.”
One 20-year-old woman, identified by the Times only as Ava, said Adams first contacted her when she was 14 and a promising bass player. Their online communications about music turned sexual, and the newspaper said they eventually spoke in video calls in which Adams exposed himself and discussed sex — while fretting about her age. Other women told The Times that Adams routinely tried to use his musical success to lure and manipulate women.
Moore, who was married to Adams from 2009 to 2016, said his “controlling behavior” essentially blocked her “ability to make new connections in the industry during a very pivotal and potentially lucrative time — my entire mid-to-late 20s.”
Wisenbaker, in his Instagram post, said Adams had “excuses and denials for everything.” The guitarist said he attempted to help Adams, but his life turned into a “complete s—storm of someone else’s utter delusion.”
He added: “I didn’t want to say anything because I’m actively afraid for the safety of my family, but I do realize that i have a responsibility to speak up. The women that spoke out are brave beyond words.”
His Instagram caption ended by asking Adam to “please get help.”
Tim Molloy contributed to this report.