Why Evan Rachel Wood Is Petitioning YouTube to Remove 2007 Marilyn Manson Music Video
Content warning: This article discusses allegations of sexual assault.
Evan Rachel Wood has shared an online petition calling for YouTube to remove Marilyn Mansons 2007 music video “Heart-Shaped Glasses (When The Heart Guides The Hand).” The petition, which has gathered thousands of signatures, comes days after her documentary Phoenix Rising premiered on HBO.
In the documentary, Wood alleges she was “essentially raped on camera” during the filming of that video. She claims she was given absinthe beforehand and that what was supposed to be a simulated sex scene became real, without her consent.
“We had discussed a simulated sex scene,” Wood said in Phoenix Rising. “But once the cameras were rolling, he started penetrating me for real.”
Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, denies all allegations. His legal team has called the claims “the most brazen and easiest to disprove” because multiple witnesses were present during the three-day shoot.
YouTube has responded to the petition, with spokesperson Jack Malon stating theyre “monitoring the situation closely and will take appropriate action if we determine there is a breach of our creator responsibility guidelines.”
NME reported that the video could potentially be removed under YouTubes terms of service, which include provisions for taking down channels based on off-platform behavior. However, this would typically require a conviction, confession, or legal ruling.
Wood first publicly named Manson as her abuser in February 2021, after years of speaking about abuse experiences without identifying the perpetrator. Several other women have since come forward with their own allegations against the musician. Manson has since sued Wood for defamation. Wood responded by appearing on The View to discuss the allegations and the lawsuit.
The “Heart-Shaped Glasses” video remains available on YouTube with over 32 million views. Whether the platform takes action remains to be seen, but the petition continues to gain signatures daily.
