- Kat Von D has publicly supported Marilyn Manson, who faces multiple sexual abuse allegations.
- She shared on Wednesday that he visited her home studio to work on a project together.
Kat Von D is publicly supporting Marilyn Manson, who has faced sexual and physical abuse allegations from multiple women in recent years.
The controversial tattoo artist, 40, shared a photo of herself with Manson, 53, whose real name is Brian Warner, on Instagram Wednesday.
Von D said in the caption that Manson visited her at-home music studio in Los Angeles, California, and they're working on an unrevealed project together.
"My dear @marilynmanson came by the studio — we're working on a beautiful, special project we have coming up for you ," she wrote in the caption.
Approximately one hour after sharing the post, Von D defended Manson against sexual abuse allegations in a lengthier note in the comments section of her post.
"I know first hand what it feels like to have society come to wildly incorrect conclusions about me, and having that spread out into the world - leaving people believing things that couldn't be further from the truth about me," she wrote.
Von D continued: "Having seen evidence against the accusations against my friend, I can't in good faith just blindly burn someone at the stake just because 'everyone says I should.' I can think for myself, and I hope you can, too."
Representatives for Von D did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. A representative for Manson declined to comment.
After comparing their public scrutiny experiences, Von D encouraged people to read the court documents Manson has previously shared online.
"Innocent until proven guilty should ring very true to us, especially after this last year," she wrote. "So perhaps before spewing criticism and possible gossip (even though i know it comes from a good place) it might be a good idea to keep it to yourself until you have all information."
"Feel free to read the actual court documents on the link in Manson's bio," she added. "Sending everyone extra love regardless. "
Von D's followers shared mixed opinions in response, with some supporting the controversial figures while others said they were disappointed in the tattoo artist for working with Manson.
Leafer Seyer, Von D's husband, supported his wife and the unrevealed project, writing in her comments section: "I can't wait for this! "
Manson first publicly faced accusations of abuse and grooming in 2021
Evan Rachel Wood accused Manson of "grooming" her as a teenager and "horrifically" abusing her for years in a now-deleted Instagram post shared in February 2021. Wood was 19 when she began dating Manson, who was 38 at the time.
The "Westworld" actor said on Instagram that she was "brainwashed and manipulated into submission" by Manson and that she wanted to "expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives."
Manson denied Wood's allegations in an Instagram post that same month. He acknowledged that his art and life are controversial, but called Wood's claims "horrible distortions of reality."
"My intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners," he wrote. "Regardless of how — and why — others are now choosing to misrepresent the past, that is the truth."
Following Wood's post, other women came forward with their own accusations.
Phoebe Bridgers said Manson called a part of his house the "rape room" when she visited as a teenager, and musician Ellie Rowsell accused him of filming under her skirt at a festival. Esmé Bianco, a British actor, also said Manson was physically violent with her when they dated and often humiliated her in front of others.
Other accusers include Manson's former assistant, ex-girlfriends, and dozens of anonymous sources who spoke with Rolling Stone in 2021.
Following the widespread backlash, Manson returned to Instagram with another statement on March 2, 2021, which encouraged viewers to read the court documents he linked on his Instagram page.
"There will come a time when I can share more about the events of the past year," he wrote. "Until then, I'm going to let the facts speak for themselves: [link in bio]."
Von D has also faced controversy throughout her career. She defended naming lipsticks "Celebutard," "Underage Red," and "Selektion" — a German word for selection used by Nazis.
She was also widely criticized in 2018 for saying she wouldn't vaccinate her child but later said she's not an anti-vaxxer in a now-deleted YouTube video titled, "I am NOT a nazi. I am NOT anti-vaxx."
Still, as Remezcla previously reported, many were unsatisfied with the video and said Von D did not mention key instances of anti-Semitism — like when her former boyfriend dressed up as a Nazi while they were dating, and the swastika tattoo her husband has (which he says is not German or "political") on his neck.