Maynard James Keenan of Tool has responded to the recent accusation from a fan who claims that she was sexually assaulted by the singer-songwriter.
In a tweet, the rockstar called the accusation a "false claim" and blasted the publications who published the story. He also said that the accusation was detrimental to the #MeToo movement that sees victims exposed their abusers to the public.
Maynard James Keenan Accused Of Sexual Assault
Last week, an anonymous woman on Twitter revealed that the rockstar raped her inside a tour bus when she was 17 years old. In a series of tweets, the accuser who uses the handle @Iwas17HeWas36 recounted that the assault happened back in 2000 during a concert of Nine Inch Nails and Keenan's other band A Perfect Circle.
The unnamed alleged victim said that during the concert, Keenan noticed her sitting at the front row with her boyfriend and threw a water bottle at their direction. Shortly after, a crew invited her backstage to meet the band but said her boyfriend could not come.
Because she was a fan, she, of course, agreed. The unidentified crew led her to the V.I.P. area to meet Keenan who was seated at a picnic table. She asked for an autograph, but he instead "pulled" her into his tour bus to watch a movie, where the assault happened.
The unnamed accuser said that Keenan never asked for consent. He took off her pants and entered her without any foreplay or even a condom. Stunned and terrified, she was frozen in place and could not scream for help.
After the deed, she was led back to the concert where her boyfriend was waiting for her. She never told him or anyone what happened until 18 years later when #MeToo and #TimesUp have allowed women to stand up against their assailants and get the support they need.
The woman also mentioned that, at the time, the attack happened in a state where 16 was the age of consent. She also said that her encounter with Keenan left her with a strain of HPV.
There was no consent made. I was not high. I was clean. He did not seduce me, he forced me, quickly taking advantage of my paralyzed state. It took me years to process his actions. He came all over my torso and didn't wipe me off. There were stains on my tank top when I left. /12 — Iwas17HeWas36 (@IWas17HeWas36) June 23, 2018
Maynard James Keenan Slams 'Despicable False Claim'
In a tweet, the Tool and A Perfect Circle frontman slammed the accusation as a despicable false claim.
"Many thanks to those who saw right through this despicable false claim that only does damage to the #metoo movement," he wrote on Friday, June 29. "And shame on those of you who perpetuate this destructive clickbait. As for my delayed but un-required response, I had my phone off. You should try it."
However, since the first #MeToo story about Keenan's alleged assault of a fan came out last week, many similar stories — all uncorroborated and from anonymous posters — have come out.
In the sub-Reddit of Tool, fans recalled seeing young women given passes backstage to meet Keenan. While there have been suggestions of sex between the rock star and his fans, no one accused him of sexual assault.
The Consequence of Sound notes that in A Perfect Union of Contrary Things, the singer-songwriter discussed his sexual past with groupies.
Since the numerous sexual assault accusation and eventual fall from grace of Harvey Weinstein last year, several other musicians have been accused of misconduct. Ethan Kath of Crystal Castles, Boyd Tinsley of Dave Matthews Band, and more have faced sexual misconduct accusations from various women.
