Ryan Adams hints at musical comeback after sexual misconduct allegations

Joey Nolfi
Ryan Adams hints at comeback after abuse allegations

Five months after musician Ryan Adams was accused of (and subsequently denied) accusations of sexual assault and abuse by multiple women — including ex-wife Mandy Moore — the 44-year-old has hinted at a potential comeback.

“I have a lot to say. I am going to. Soon. Because the truth matters,” Adams tweeted Saturday morning. “I know who I am. What I am. It’s time people know. Past time. All the beauty in a life cannot be reduced to rubble for lies. This madness. My work was a map for the lost. Not a billboard. So soon.”

Adams expanded the sentiment on Instagram, urging his followers to “believe women” and “believe truth” after he tried his “best to be open and accountable,” but also asked them to “never give up on being part of solutions and healing” while he prepares for “some great shows” and “badass records.”

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“I have a lot to say. I am going to. Soon. Because the truth matters. It’s what matters most. I know who I am. What I am. It's time people know. Past time. All the beauty in a life cannot be reduced to rubble for confusion, ignoring truths that destroy all the good in us. This madness and misunderstanding. There’s enough of that in this world My work was always meant to be a map for the lost. I’ve tried my best to be open and accountable. Not a billboard. I mean, maybe for being flawed. I’ve always wanted to help. I’m trying. So, soon... because it’s time to get back to what I do best. I’m here for the music, for the love and for making things better. I didn’t have an easy life. I lost my brother the day the Prisoner Tour ended. Every night wondering if he would be alive. He was proud of me. My family and my friends were there for that. And so many great fans. For the Meineres community who suffer every day. This music was for then. It mattered. And that was always for it to help. So let’s do that. THAT will matter. The amends made and things lost in the noise, that should’ve mattered too. I want to be a part of that healing. To go play have some great shows and put out these badass records. Believe Women. Believe Truth. But never give up on being part of solutions, and healing. I’ve lost friends who have passed away in this time of self reflection and silence. I can’t be like that. There’s been too much that mattered. Thank you for your kindness, your support and for this time I needed to decide how I could be a part of a better tomorrow for everybody. Sometimes that peace comes from opening yourself up. That’s who I want to be. Here’s to that. With love and with faith- In all of us and our best and our faults RA

A post shared by Ryan Adams (@ryanadams) on Jul 20, 2019 at 12:11am PDT

Adams also shared an Instagram video featuring what appears to be a sample of his new music.

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A post shared by Ryan Adams (@ryanadams) on Jul 19, 2019 at 9:29pm PDT

The posts come after a February New York Times exposé alleged Adams used his status as an industry power player to manipulate women. In the piece, Adams is accused of exposing himself to a 14-year-old female bassist on the internet, promising to advance the career of musician Phoebe Bridgers if she engaged in a relationship with him, and emotionally manipulating Moore during their time together.

Adams has since refuted the claims. According to his lawyer, Andrew B. Brettler, “Mr. Adams unequivocally denies that he ever engaged in inappropriate online sexual communications with someone he knew was underage.” He later tweeted: “I am not a perfect man and I have made many mistakes. To anyone I have ever hurt, however unintentionally, I apologize deeply and unreservedly.”

“But the picture that this article paints is upsettingly inaccurate,” he continued. “Some of its details are misrepresented; some are exaggerated; some are outright false. I would never have inappropriate interactions with someone I thought was underage. Period.”

Across his prolific career, which launched as part of the band Whiskeytown in 1995, he’s recorded 16 solo albums and has produced for artists like Willie Nelson and Fall Out Boy. He also released a cover of Taylor Swift’s 1989 in 2015. He has not released an album of new material since 2017’s Prisoner, and his planned 2019 tour of the U.K. and Ireland was canceled following the publication of the Times article.

A representative for Adams did not immediately respond to EW’s request for clarification on Adams’ latest social media posts as well as an updated statement on the abuse and sexual misconduct allegations against him.

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