Kanye West; Marilyn Manson.Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images; Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Kanye Westis facing backlash after bringing outMarilyn Mansonduring the rapper’slistening eventfor his upcoming albumDonda.
During Thursday’s event fans were left puzzled and upset when Manson, 52, appeared on the porch of areplicaof West’s childhood home onstage during the listening party at Chicago’s Soldier Field. A spokesperson for Manson tells PEOPLE that the singer’s voice is featured on the new album.
“Marilyn Manson’s voice is featured onDonda, and he will continue to conceptually collaborate with Ye on theDondaproject,” the spokesperson said.
Kanye West “Donda” viewing experience.Jesse Lirola/BFA courtesy of DONDA
Thursday’s listening partydid not require the thousands of fans in attendanceto be vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide proof of a negative test, and a Chicago Park District spokeswoman said the venue’s reduced capacity emphasized the city’s commitment to health and safety protocol amid the ongoing pandemic.
For more onKanye West’s thirdDondaalbum listening party and other top stories, listen below toour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
“No seriously someone explain to me why Marilyn Manson is standing next to Kanye in this listening party,” onetweetread.
“Can’t believe people are genuinely believing Kanye trying [to] ‘prove a point’ which completely excuses what Marilyn Manson has done to several women. this isn’t about cancel culture and letting people learn, because when you have done what Marilyn has done YOU SHOULD BE IN JAIL,“wroteanother social media user.
“He’s ridiculous of course Kanye wants any attention good or bad not sure how anyone would publicly support this man after Evan Rachel wood opened about what happened to her,” another social media usertweeted.
“Kanye hanging out with Marilyn Manson on the stream is gross, not a good vibe,” a different Twitter userwrote.
Responding to Esmé Bianco’s sexual abuse lawsuit this summer, Manson called her allegations “untrue, meritless and a key component of a coordinated attack.” And in February, he called the abuse allegations “horrible distortions of reality.” He has denied all the other accusations.
The rocker was also jailed on assault charges stemming from a New Hampshire concert in 2019 in which he allegedlyspat and “shot his snot"at a camerawoman. In July, heturned himself into the Hollywood division of Los Angeles Police Departmentafterreaching a deal with Gilford Police Departmentin New Hampshire regarding two Class A misdemeanor simple assault charges. That same day, the singer was released on personal recognizance bail. Manson’s attorney also denied the claims, telling PEOPLE in a statement “It is no secret to anyone who has attended a Marilyn Manson concert that he likes to be provocative on stage, especially in front of a camera” and alleged that his accuser tried to extort $35,000 from Manson before she took it to law enforcement.
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Aside from allegations of sexual abuse, Smithline accused Manson of having an affinity for Nazi memorabilia — including whips, knives and throwing stars — and making racist remarks about her Jewish background.
“He kind of made it like this is just like a joke between us,” she told PEOPLE earlier this year. “I think at that point, I was already coerced enough that I felt he would not like me if I didn’t bring those things. If I’d known the weapons would be used on me, I think it would have felt a lot stranger.”
Manson also said in a 2014 interview that racism is a “stupid, made up word.”
Manson has not specifically responded to the allegations.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
