Controversy Erupts as Marilyn Manson Appears at Black Sabbath's Farewell Show

Black Sabbath's final concert, held in their hometown of Birmingham and streamed live for a global audience, turned into a bittersweet occasion for fans as it marked the end of an era for the legendary metal band. The event was particularly poignant due to frontman Ozzy Osbourne's ongoing health issues, which have sidelined him from performing live. While the night featured heartfelt tributes and special moments, including a surprise engagement from Kelly Osbourne to her boyfriend Sid Wilson, it also sparked significant controversy, particularly surrounding the appearance of one well-known musician.
Fans were left expressing their discontent when a controversial supergroup took the stage, but the real uproar came from a surprise cameo by Marilyn Manson. The 56-year-old musician appeared via a pre-taped video message, extending his congratulations and love to Osbourne. Despite the sentiment expressed in his message, Manson's involvement was met with outrage from many viewers, both live at the concert and those participating through the online stream.
Manson has been embroiled in scandal since 2021, facing numerous allegations of sexual abuse that he has consistently denied. His brief appearance during such a momentous occasion was met with backlash on social media, with many fans voicing their displeasure. One user on X, formerly known as Twitter, exclaimed, "Disgraceful that he is on this otherwise outstanding Black Sabbath show," while another simply stated, "Ew Marilyn Manson, go away." Such sentiments were echoed by many, who were clearly upset by his presence.
This wave of disapproval stems from serious allegations against Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner. Notably, actress Evan Rachel Wood has accused him of severe abuse during their relationship that began when she was just 18 years old. In her 2022 documentary, "Phoenix Rising," Wood claimed Manson "essentially raped" her on camera during the shooting of a music video, describing the ordeal as a coerced commercial sex act. Manson's response included filing a defamation lawsuit against Wood, which was later dismissed, as well as facing allegations from actress Esme Bianco that led to an out-of-court settlement.
Moreover, a lawsuit from another unnamed ex-girlfriend was settled just days before its trial date, and a case in Los Angeles was dropped earlier this year due to the expiration of the statute of limitations and insufficient evidence for charges of sexual assault. Given the gravity of these allegations, it's no surprise that Manson's participation in the final Black Sabbath concert would evoke strong reactions from fans.