Marilyn Manson Halts Concert for ‘Confession’ About Sobriety

Marilyn Manson made a striking impression during the kickoff of his 2026 One Assassination Under God tour. While performing at the Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Highland, California, on April 22, the artist paused his set halfway through to deliver what he described as a personal “confession” regarding his sobriety.

Addressing the audience, Manson referenced his 1998 single “I Don’t Like the Drugs (But the Drugs Like Me),” stating, “I have a confession to make. Some of you may have known this, but I did in fact like the drugs.”

The tone of his address shifted as he moved into a vivid, metaphorical account of his decision to leave substance use behind. He described a scenario where he invited the drugs on a “romantic ride into the desert,” only to take them to a remote location. “I looked at the drugs, and they looked at me, and they said, ‘I’m going to love you forever.’ And I looked at them and shoved them into the fucking hole and buried them and I came home alone,” he told the crowd.

Following this dramatic retelling, he explicitly identified himself as a “drug addict” before transitioning immediately into his performance of “The Dope Show.”

A Commitment to Sobriety

This public acknowledgment is not the first time the artist has spoken about his recovery. During his 57th birthday celebration in January, which was attended by notable figures including Billy Corgan, Courtney Love, and Dita Von Teese, Manson spoke optimistically about his future. At that time, he noted, “2026 is going to be even better. I’ve got another album coming out. Another world tour that’s going to be extra special. And five years continuous sobriety.”

Manson’s current tour is scheduled to continue through mid-May before he heads to Europe. He is slated to return to the United States in August for a co-headlining summer tour alongside Rob Zombie.