Billy Corgan is standing by Marilyn Manson.

Asked on The New York Times' Popcast how he keeps up the friendship given the sexual misconduct allegations made against Manson in recent years, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman said he isn't there to adjudicate the case. He pointed to the Los Angeles District Attorney's decision not to file charges after a years-long investigation, and said he knew "personal things behind the scenes" that never became public. "I personally didn't feel that he was guilty of the things he was being charged with," Corgan said. "I don't want the world to tell me who my friends are." He also said the ties run deeper than music. Manson's wife Lindsay is a twin, and her sister Ashley is married to Pumpkins guitarist James Iha. "So Manson is basically a part of our family," Corgan said. Manson has denied all of the allegations against him. The LA DA declined to charge him in January 2025.

Photo: Aversives