Amid a storm of controversy, Zack Hansen, former guitarist of The Word Alive, has found himself at the center of serious domestic abuse allegations made by his ex-partner. In response to these claims, Hansen has issued a public statement, vehemently denying any abusive behavior and announcing his temporary departure from the band to address personal issues.
The Word Alive quickly reacted to the allegations, deciding to part ways with Hansen. The band made it clear that they stand firmly against any form of domestic abuse. The situation intensified when videos posted by Hansen’s ex-partner surfaced on social media, depicting troubling interactions between the two.
Hansen has now come forward with his side of the story, asserting that he never engaged in abusive behavior. He described the relationship as increasingly volatile, which ultimately led to their separation. Hansen emphasized his commitment to seeking professional help to better understand his role in the relationship and to clear his name from what he claims are false allegations.
In his statement, Hansen expressed his frustration over the accusations and the impact they have had on his life and career. He stated, “I know I have been slow to respond to the false and defamatory abuse allegations leveled against me by my ex-girlfriend and her friends, but I had to wait until I had all the documentation needed to prove I am innocent of these offensive allegations.”
Hansen continued, “Let me be clear, I have NEVER abused anyone, especially a woman, and I never would. Any girl I ever dated or was in a relationship with can confirm this. My ex-girlfriend and I had a three-year relationship that got progressively more volatile to the point where I needed to disconnect with her and move on.”
He recounted specific incidents where he felt he was the victim of aggression, stating, “Unfortunately, when I tried to leave, she became aggressive. She posted three 30-second videos but maliciously chose to exclude her actions that led up to what you saw in those videos. I was pushed against the wall, punched, choked, and yes, spit on. I kept my hands to my side and out of frustration, spit back at her hoping to stop the abuse.”
Hansen also described another incident where he felt trapped, saying, “On another occasion, she wouldn’t let me leave and kept blocking me from the door. Out of frustration, I pulled the shades from the window trying to go out through the window to get away from her. If there is any abuse in this relationship, it was her doing the abusing, not me.”
He acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating, “I know this is all just words, but I have texts and videos, as does my ex-girlfriend, that will back up every word. Since she and her friends decided to post these fictitious allegations, I have been asked to step away from the band that I started and cherish, lost other gigs, and have received all kinds of verbal abuse online including death threats and most certainly, my reputation ruined.”
Hansen expressed his intention to seek professional help to understand his role in the volatile relationship and to become a better person and partner. He also vowed to take legal action against those he believes are spreading false information about him.
“I am keenly aware that it takes two to create a volatile relationship and I will be seeking professional help so I may understand my role to become a better person and partner,” Hansen said. “I look forward to clearing my name and holding those responsible for this false attack on who I am and what I have always stood for accountable. I will be taking action to stop the defamation campaign being waged against me, and I will pursue everyone involved, including my ex and her friends who are spreading lies. I detest abuse of any kind and most certainly abuse of women in any form, as should we all.”
The Word Alive has since confirmed that they have parted ways with Hansen, emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy towards domestic abuse. The band is still scheduled to tour with Asking Alexandria and Memphis May Fire this fall, despite the recent upheaval.
As the situation continues to unfold, Hansen’s future with The Word Alive remains uncertain. The band and its fans are left grappling with the fallout from these serious allegations and the impact they have had on all parties involved.
