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Ryan Adams: Phoebe Bridgers issues new statement as FBI investigates abuse allegations

'Ryan had a network too – none of them held him accountable'

Jacob Stolworthy
Sunday 17 February 2019 13:24 GMT
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Phoebe Bridgers finds she can still connect with fans from home (
Phoebe Bridgers finds she can still connect with fans from home ( (Rex Features)

Phoebe Bridgers has addressed the recent allegations of abuse made against Ryan Adams in a New York Times exposé.

The American singer issued a new statement on Instagram where she thanked her friends and mother for “validating” her.

She wrote: “It’s been a weird week and I wanted to say a couple things. Thank you from my whole f***ing heart to my friends, my bands, my mom. They all supported and validated me. They told me that what had happened was f***ed up and wrong, and that I was right to feel weird about it. I couldn’t have done this without them.

“Ryan had a network too. Friends, bands, people he worked with. None of them held him accountable. They told him, by what they said or by what they didn’t, that what he was doing was okay. They validated him. He couldn’t have done this without them.

You can read the full post below.


Adams is being investigated by the FBI following accusations by at least seven women of manipulative behaviour. The New York Times reports that the law enforcement agency has started looking into whether the singer engaged in sexually explicit communications with an underage fan.

The publication initially reported on several allegations against Adams, including claims that he promised women potential career opportunities before pursuing them for sex.

According to retailers, the first of three planned album releases by Adams in 2019, Big Colors, has been pulled from the release schedule by Universal Music Group.

Furthermore, three companies that manufacture gear for musicians have publicly severed ties with Adams and announced that his name will be taken off their products.

The exposé documents a series of troubling allegations, including accusations from his ex-wife, Mandy Moore, that he was abusive during their marriage. Adams has denied the allegations.

This weekend, Saturday Night Live addressed the allegations with a cutting joke about Adams and disgraced R&B singer R Kelly.

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