Abuse claims on rocker Adams

A NEW York Times report says seven women have claimed singer-songwriter Ryan Adams offered to help them with their music careers but then turned things sexual, and sometimes became emotional and verbally abusive.

According to the report, a 20-year-old female musician said Adams, 44, had inappropriate conversations with her while she was 15 and 16. Identified by her middle name Ava, she said Adams exposed himself during a video call.

Adams’ ex-wife, actor and singer Mandy Moore, said he was psychologically abusive toward her throughout their marriage. Their divorce became official in 2016.

The Times said the accounts had been corroborated by family members or friends.

Adams’ lawyer denied the claims to the Times.

A tweet on Adams’ Twitter feed yesterday said: “I am not a perfect man and I have made many mistakes. To anyone I have ever hurt, however unintentionally, I apologise deeply and unreservedly.”

Adams released his debut album in 2000 and has earned seven Grammy nominations. He famously covered Taylor Swift’s Grammy-winning 1989 album in 2015, a year after its release. He has also worked as a producer for Willie Nelson and Jenny Lewis.

Ava said Adams constantly questioned her about her age.

“If people knew they would say I was like R Kelley (sic) lol,” he wrote to her via text in November 2014, when he was 40 and she was 16. R. Kelly has been accused of sexual misconduct with women and girls but has denied the allegations.

“Mr Adams unequivocally denies that he ever engaged in inappropriate online sexual communications with someone he knew was underage,” Andrew B. Brettler, Adams’ lawyer, told the Times.