Entertainment · Music · 5 hrs ago
Billy Corgan Defends His Long Friendship With Marilyn Manson
Billy Corgan defended his friendship with Marilyn Manson on the New York Times podcast Popcast.
Manson has faced sexual misconduct allegations, and the Los Angeles district attorney dropped a sexual assault case after reviewing it for five years.
Corgan said he personally did not believe Manson was guilty, while stressing that he could not judge everything that happened.
He also said their families and long history bind them: they have known each other for nearly 30 years, and Manson’s wife is the twin sister of Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha’s wife.
The two musicians fell out for about 15 years, then made up when Manson joined the Pumpkins onstage in London in December 2014.
Corgan said anyone found guilty should go to jail; the source gives no new legal step or outcome.
Billy Corgan defended his long friendship with Marilyn Manson during an appearance on the New York Times podcast Popcast.
Corgan said he did not personally believe Manson was guilty of the charges against him.
He cited the Los Angeles District Attorney’s decision not to pursue a sexual assault case against Manson and said he had personal knowledge of the situation.
Corgan said their relationship goes back close to 30 years and that family ties also connect Manson to the Smashing Pumpkins.
The two had a falling out for roughly 15 years before reconciling in December 2014.
- Who
- Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan discussed his friendship with Marilyn Manson.
- What
- Corgan defended maintaining the friendship despite sexual misconduct allegations against Manson.
- When
- The article was published on October 22, 2026; the date of the podcast appearance is not stated.
- Where
- On the New York Times podcast Popcast. The recording location is not stated.
- Why
- Corgan said he did not personally believe Manson was guilty and cited his own knowledge of the situation, the DA’s decision and their long-standing personal ties.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Corgan and Manson had a falling out after Manson was upset about a letter Corgan wrote warning him about his relationship with Rose McGowan.
Manson joined the Smashing Pumpkins onstage at a London concert, and the two buried the hatchet.
- Friendship
- Goes back close to 30 years
- Case
- The Los Angeles District Attorney dropped a sexual assault case against Manson
- Reconciliation
- December 2014, at a Smashing Pumpkins concert in London
- Family connection
- Manson’s wife Lindsay is the twin of Ashley, who is married to Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha
- Podcast appearance
- New York Times podcast Popcast
1 source
What people are saying
I personally didn’t feel that he was guilty of the things he was being charged with
you have to stand by your friends
I don’t want the world to tell me who my friends are and who I should associate with
If he’s guilty, or anybody in that situation is guilty, they should go to jail.