The FBI are looking into Ryan Adams’ alleged sexual communications with an underage fan, The New York Times reports. Yesterday, the Times published a report in which several women accused Ryan Adams of abuse, ranging from emotional manipulation to sexual misconduct. Adams’ ex-wife Mandy Moore, Phoebe Bridgers, singer-songwriter Courtney Jaye, and others spoke outlined allegations of abuse against Adams.
One woman, identified as Ava, claimed that she began talking to Adams when she was 14, building an online relationship that eventually led to sexual conversations and at least one instance where Adams exposed himself to her over Skype. FBI agents in the bureau’s New York office took the first steps in opening a criminal investigation on Thursday, and are seeking to interview Ava, who is now 20. The inquiry is reportedly in “its earliest stages.” Adams’ lawyer told Pitchfork that he has not been contacted by law enforcement. A lawyer for Ava declined to comment to the Times.
According to text messages reviewed by the Times, Adams asked Ava her age multiple times. She claims that she did not always answer honestly. He allegedly requested photographs and reportedly had “pet names” for her body parts. In a text message from near the end of 2014, Adams allegedly wrote, “If people knew they would say I was like R Kelley lol.” Ava and Adams reportedly never met in person.
Shortly after the initial Times report was published, Adams released a statement denying everything outlined in the article. “To anyone I have ever hurt, however unintentionally, I apologize deeply and unreservedly,” he wrote. “But the picture that this article paints is upsettingly inaccurate.”
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that FBI agents reportedly visited The New York Times office.
This article was originally published on February 14 at 5:59 p.m. Eastern. It was last updated at 7:47 p.m. Eastern.
