Melanie Martinez releases statement following sexual assault allegations
Melanie Martinez has released a statement following a rape accusation that has surfaced online.
Read her statement in full below:
I am horrified and saddened by the statements and story told tonight by Timothy Heller. What she and I shared was a close friendship for a period of time. We came into each other's lives as we were both starting our careers as artists, and we tried to help each other. We both had pain in dealing with our individual demons and the new paths we were forging, but I truly felt we were trying to lift each other up. She never said no to what we chose to do together. And although we parted ways, I am sending her love and light always.
— CRYBABY (@MelanieLBBH) December 5, 2017
This response is following allegations, posted by Timothy Heller, that claims she was molested by Martinez. “She performed oral sex on me and then I was penetrated with a sex toy without being asked. That's what happened. The bottom line that I need to always remind myself is that: I said no. For TWO NIGHTS STRAIGHT. It doesn't matter that I didn't resist during the action. I had been broken down. She knew I didn't want to, I made that clear.”
Read Heller's statement in full below:
When I wrote this story about my assault, I initially wasn’t going to make the abuser. But I think it’s important for you all to know this is about Melanie Martinez pic.twitter.com/4PQ5oNI2s9
— Timothy Heller (@timethyheller) December 4, 2017
This news follows a sea of allegations against various musicians, including Brand New’s Jesse Lacey, former With Confidence member Luke Rockets, With Confidence frontman Jayden Seeley and others, along with Artery Recordings announcing that they have decided to drop Slaves from their roster with multiple assault allegations against frontman Jonny Craig surfacing online. Pinegrove also announced that they had canceled their remaining tour dates and “taking some time off” after frontman Evan Stephens Hall was accused of sexual coercion.
