Marilyn Manson

By Jessica Campbell

Brian Hugh Warner is a singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, painter, and writer but yet he is mostly known for his stage persona and image. In 1989, Warner co-created the Marylin Manson persona with guitarist Daisy Berkowitz which became a very controversial band. The original name of the band was Marylin Mason and the Spooky Kids but was later shortened to Marylin Mason. Like all the other band members, his stage name was created by matching two opposing American cultural icons: a sex symbol and a serial killer, Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson.

            It wasn’t until 1993 that the band gained the attention of a producer, Trent Reznor, who later produced their 1994 debut album called, Portrait of an American Family. The band then gained more popularity when they went on tour that featured Nine Inch Nails and Jim Rose Circus. Within the U.S. the band had three albums that were awarded two platinum, with three more going gold. However, the lead singer hasn’t had much success in his personal life.

            In more recent news, Manson has been found caught up in the middle of getting investigated for domestic abuse. The department of Special Victims Bureau is reviewing incidents that occurred within the years of 2009 and 2011 when Warner was residing in West Hollywood. All these allegations came to light when ex-fiancé Evan Rachel Wood spoke out on Instagram about the abuse she suffered at the hands of the artist. Within the same day, four women broke their silence about the violent abuse they were also put through.

            The repercussions of these allegations have been detrimental to the artists’ career. The singer has been dropped by various TV shows that he was scheduled to make an appearance on. Along with that is the fact that his label and longtime manager also parted ways. Still, Warner continuously denies all the allegations of abuse that have surfaced.