For nearly two decades, Ryan Adams, a prolific singer-songwriter, has been praised as a creative genius and a respected industry tastemaker. With over 16 albums and 7 Grammy nominations to his name, it’s not too far fetched to learn that his career is littered with big name collaborations like Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, John Mayer, etc.

It’s also known that he has taken a special interest in bolstering the trajectory of female artists, especially younger ones. Often championing many of them onstage, on social media, and even in the studio — an arena where his help and approval can mean the difference between a career in music or not.

However, seven of these female artists and dozens of associates are now saying that Adams’s golden ticket was not without strings. Among those describing a pattern of manipulative behavior in which Adams teased career opportunities while simultaneously pursuing a sexual element to their relationship, is his former wife, singer and actress Mandy Moore.

Moore states that “Music was a point of control for [Adams],” and that ““his controlling behavior essentially did block my ability to make new connections in the industry during a very pivotal and potentially lucrative time — my entire mid-to-late 20s,”

In some cases, Adam’s has been accused of becoming domineering and vengeful, pulling out of offers to support when romantically spurned, being emotionally and verbally abusive, and digitally harassing them as well through texts and social media.

The accounts have been corroborated by family members or friends who were present at the time, as well as by correspondence from Adams reviewed by The New York Times.