Singer-songwriter Ryan Adams has said 'there are no words to express how bad I feel about the ways I've mistreated people through my life and career". His apology comes over a year after he was accused of sexual misconduct and controlling behaviour by a number of women.
In February 2019 seven women, including Adams' ex-wife Mandy Moore, spoke to the New York Times. He was accused of sexual misconduct, and of being manipulative, controlling and obsessive.
Actress and singer Moore, whose divorce from Adams was finalised in 2016, told the publication that he "discouraged" her from working with other producers and managers.
She said: "His controlling behaviour essentially did block my ability to make new connections in the industry during a very pivotal and potentially lucrative time — my entire mid-to-late 20s."
Adams denied Moore's claims at the time, saying in a statement issued through his lawyer that her "characterisation" of their relationship was "completely inconsistent with his view".
One of the other women who came forward, identified as 'Ava', showed the New York Times more than 3,000 explicit texts she claimed she had exchanged with the star when she was 15 and 16.
After the New York Times had published the article, Adams responded with a threat of legal action, tweeting that the publication was "going down".
He soon deleted the tweet and issued an apology to anyone he had hurt, "however unintentionally"; while his lawyer said Adams "unequivocally" denied exchanging inappropriate messages with someone he knew to be underage.
Now, in a lengthy letter published by the Daily Mail, the musician has apologised for his past behaviour. "All I can say is that I'm sorry," he wrote. "It's that simple. This period of isolation and reflection made me realize that I needed to make significant changes in my life.
"I've gotten past the point where I would be apologizing just for the sake of being let off the hook and I know full well that any apology from me probably won't be accepted by those I've hurt."
The Heartbreaker singer also said that "no amount of growth will ever take away the suffering I had caused".
"I will never be off the hook and I am fully accountable for my harmful behavior, and will be for my actions moving forward.
"In my effort to be a better man, I have fought to get sober, but this time I'm doing it with professional help. Sobriety is a priority in my life, and so is my mental health. These, as I'm learning, go hand in hand.
"But I will not bore anyone with stories of my demons or use them to excuse what I've done.
"I really want to express that I've internalized the importance of self-care and self-work. I'm really trying.
"I hope that the people I've hurt will heal. And I hope that they will find a way to forgive me."
After the allegations against Adams surfaced last year, his label Blue Note cancelled the release of his 18th album, Big Colors. He has not released any new music since.
