Ryan Adams has written an apology for “all the ways I have mistreated people throughout my life and career” and said he is working to be “a better man”.
The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter has been out of the spotlight for more than a year, after being accused of sexual misconduct and emotional abuse by several women in 2019.
One of the women who made allegations about the star was his ex-wife, singer and actress Mandy Moore, who claimed he was psychologically abusive during their marriage.
Mandy Moore married Adams in 2009 but filed for divorce in 2015
Singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers and another female musician also made allegations about the star in a New York Times report published in February 2019.
At the time, Adams issued a statement admitting he was “not a perfect man” but disputed the accuracy of the reporting of the allegations, describing some as “outright false”.
Now, in an article written for the Daily Mail, the US star has apologised and said taking time out has made him realise he needs to change.
“There are no words to express how bad I feel about the ways I’ve mistreated people throughout my life and career,” the 45-year-old wrote.
“All I can say is that I’m sorry. It’s that simple. This period of isolation and reflection made me realise that I needed to make significant changes in my life.”
The singer said he realises that “any apology from me probably won’t be accepted by those I’ve hurt”.
He continued: “I get that and I also understand that there’s no going back.
“To a lot of people this will just seem like the same empty bull***t apology that I’ve always used when I was called out, and all I can say is, this time it is different.”
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Adams said that after realising the consequences of his actions he is working to “finally start to fix myself so I could be a better friend, a better partner, and a better man overall”.
The star said he is getting professional help to stay sober, but knows he will “never be off the hook” and is “fully accountable for my harmful behaviour”.
He also said he had been writing music during his time out of the spotlight, with most songs “about the lessons I’ve learned over the last few years”.
He concluded by saying: “I hope that the people I’ve hurt will heal. And I hope that they will find a way to forgive me.”
Adams launched his music career with the band Whiskeytown and made his solo debut in 2000 with the album Heartbreaker.
Also a songwriter and record producer, he has worked with some of the industry’s big names, including John Mayer, Willie Nelson and Norah Jones.