Content Warning: This article discusses themes of abuse. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
UPDATE 26/02: Camp Cope’s Georgia McDonald has come forward to identify herself as the recipient of the emails allegedly sent by Wil Wagner. See below for more information.
Wil Wagner has issued a statement responding to allegations of emotional abuse made against him.
The statement, released via Instagram earlier this evening sees The Smith Street Band’s frontman formally addressing a number of allegations that surfaced against him on social media late last week.
“Over the past few days, private emails dating back to 2013 have been made public,” the statement begins. “Some were messages sent at the end of a turbulent relationship. Things were said that have led to regret, things that were angry and mean.”
“These emails have been selectively shown out of context accompanied by one-sided statements.”
“I’m not hiding from anything,” Wagner explains. “I said some incredibly hurtful things that I completely regret.”
“I ask that you make up your own minds based on what has actually been said rather than form an opinion based on someone else’s version.”
The statement ends by thanking people for their support, while also noting that this is a “deeply personal matter”, and closing by noting that “more darkness never brings light”.
The allegations in question arose near the end of last week when an Instagram user shared screenshots a number of emails, purportedly sent by Will Wagner to a former girlfriend.
The recipient of these messages has been redacted in the images, and they solely show what is allegedly Wagner’s side of the conversation.
At this stage, it is not clear how the Instagram user who posted these emails online came to be in possession of them, and the recipient of the emails has not come forward to confirm their authenticity.
UPDATE 26/02: In a post on her personal Instagram, Camp Cope’s Georgia McDonald has come forward to identify herself as the recipient of the emails allegedly sent by Wil Wagner.
“I’m sure by now a lot of you have figured out that it was my inbox that those emails ended up in. I am the receiver,” McDonald began.
“I gave permission for those emails to be released after Ryan Adams was exposed last week for all his abusive behaviours towards women.”
“Since the emails were released, I’ve been told I’m acting like a spoiled brat,” McDonald continued. “I’ve been told I just want to destroy him and them. I’ve been told I’m just doing it for attention.”
“This is why people don’t come out about abuse.”
Read Georgia McDonald’s full statement below.
