Esmé Bianco, best known for her roles in major television programs like Game of Thrones and The Magicians, has filed a lawsuit against musician Marilyn Manson (real name Brian Warner) for “sexual assault, sexual battery, and/or violations of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.”
According to the complaint, Bianco and Manson met in 2005, four years before he flew her to Los Angeles, CA to appear in a music video. During the time of the video shoot, she was forced to remain in Manson’s apartment and wear lingerie, and was deprived of sleep and food for four days. Manson would also frequently throw tantrums, destroying equipment and forcing Bianco to watch violent movies. At one point, he tied her to a prayer kneeler, beat her with a Nazi whip and subjected her to electric shocks.
Following this incident, Manson told Bianco that the music video in question (which was never released) was subjected to delays during the editing process. They met again in 2009 and began a consensual sexual relationship, but there were still alleged instances of non-consensual groping and biting. It’s also noted that Manson once tried to bring a minor back to their hotel room.
Two years later, Bianco moved in with Manson under false pretenses of securing a visa by starring in Phantasmagoria. In the months that followed, Bianco alleges she was subjected to more abuse, including Manson lashing out at her if she attempted to change the thermostat from 63 degrees or open the curtains to let in any light. She also says she was forced to provide unpaid labor, such as preparing Manson’s meals, cleaning his home and more. Bianco was also allegedly given drugs to physically weaken her, allowing Manson to rape her and perform sexual acts while she was unconcious.
The complaint further alleges that during this time, Manson chased Bianco around the apartment with an ax and cut her with a Nazi knife during sexual intercourse, sharing photos of the wounds online without her consent.
In June 2011, Bianco escaped the apartment, but Manson threatened to have her visa revoked.
The abuse continued until 2013, at which time Bianco’s friends were able to intervene.
This complaint comes just shy of three months after Westworld star Evan Rachel Wood publicly accused Manson of grooming and abuse during their relationship in the mid-to-late 2000s.
If you are a U.S.-based victim of sexual assault or misconduct in need of help, contact RAINN at 800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. If you are based outside the U.S., click here for a list of international sexual assault resources.
Source: United States District Court Central District of California, via Deadline
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