Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley has come forward with allegations of sexual abuse by his former manager, Greig Nori. In his memoir, “Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell,” Whibley claims that Nori “groomed” him and pressured him into a sexual relationship. Nori was the band’s first manager before being fired in 2004.
According to Whibley, he met Nori backstage at a Treble Charger show when he was 16 years old. They developed a “special connection” on a creative level and began talking for hours on the phone. Eventually, Nori became sexual abuse by former manager in memoir 'Walking Disaster”>Sum 41‘s manager, helping them with their music production and industry connections.
Whibley alleges that the abuse started when he was 18 years old. He claims that during a night of partying, Nori passionately kissed him in a bathroom. At first confused and shocked because he had never been attracted to men before, Whibley says that Nori convinced him to explore their connection further by pointing out that many rockers were “queer.” According to Whibley, after experimenting with his sexuality for several months, he wanted to end their physical encounters but faced rageful reactions from Nori.
Whibley kept the alleged relationship hidden for many years but eventually confided in mutual friends as well as his then-girlfriend Avril Lavigne and current wife Ariana Cooper. He describes the verbal abuse escalating as jealousy grew over Sum 41’s success until the band ultimately fired Nori in 2004.
Nori has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations.
In March of this year, Sum 41 released their eighth and final album titled “Heaven :x: Hell,” which Whibley says encapsulates their entire journey as a band.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected with certified crisis counselors.