Jenny Lewis has spoken out in response to the sexual and emotional misconduct allegations against longtime musical collaborator Ryan Adams.
Lewis, who just unveiled her new song “Heads Gonna Roll” (on which Adams has a production credit) this week, released the following statement on Twitter Friday night (Feb. 15): “I am deeply troubled by Ryan Adams’ alleged behavior. Although he and I had a working professional relationship, I stand in solidarity with the women who have come forward.”
Adams previously produced Lewis’ The Voyager album (2014), and the pair have toured together.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
An exposé published by the New York Times on Feb. 13 accuses Adams of sexual misconduct, emotional abuse and manipulative behavior by a number of female musicians, including his ex-wife Mandy Moore and rising artist Phoebe Bridgers. One allegation comes from a female called Ava, who says she began talking to Adams online when she was only 14 years old. Their communication went from music to explicit texting and, at age 16, a Skype call in which he allegedly exposed himself to the teenager.
Ex-wife Moore, who hasn’t released a full-length album since 2009, when she married Adams, says “music was a point of control” in her relationship with Adams, and that she was discouraged from working with other producers or managers. This came with emotional and psychological abuse, she says: “He would always tell me, ‘You’re not a real musician, because you don’t play an instrument.'”
“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,” the This Is Us actress told the Times.
Adams has denied all allegations, claiming that many details have been “misrepresented” and “exaggerated,” or are “outright false.”
I am deeply troubled by Ryan Adams’ alleged behavior. Although he and I had a working professional relationship, I stand in solidarity with the women who have come forward.
— jenny lewis (@jennylewis) February 16, 2019