Ex-Cradle of Filth Bandmates Threaten Legal Action Over Dani Filth’s Sharon Osbourne Comments

Former Cradle of Filth members Zoë M. Federoff and Marek ‘Ashok’ Šmerda have escalated their public dispute with frontman Dani Filth, issuing a pointed statement on social media. The pair addressed a series of accusations made by Filth, including deeply personal claims and the involvement of Sharon Osbourne, urging him to stop dragging her name into the feud.

The joint Instagram statement was framed as a response to what they describe as a “defamatory” narrative being spread by Filth, whose real name is Daniel Davey.

“The definition of ‘defamation’ is making ‘untrue’ statements with the intent to cause harm,” they wrote. “Unlike the statement of Daniel Davey, every statement we have made thus far is true and provable.”

They went further, reiterating their claims of exploitation and theft within the band’s structure.

“Cradle of Filth and their management, Bradley ‘Dez’ Fafara, steal from and exploit musicians, and we will continue demonstrating this via the legal route,” they added.

Federoff and Šmerda also called out specific personal allegations made against them—among them, accusations involving alcoholism and alleged drinking during pregnancy.

“For our former frontman to try and use trivial matters like supposed marital spats is laughable,” they said. “But the rest of the accusations, including alcoholism and drinking while pregnant, are quite serious.”

They also condemned what they described as a misrepresentation of comments involving Sharon Osbourne, particularly sensitive in light of her recent family bereavement.

“To take a comment out of context about Sharon Osbourne is quite serious, especially given that during the same day, we have an audio recording of Davey relaying Fafara’s alleged opinions of her,” the statement continued.

A Bitter Exit and Damning Claims

The fallout stems from a tense period earlier in the year, when both Federoff and Šmerda departed the band under acrimonious circumstances. According to Louder Sound, Šmerda was fired mid-tour shortly after Federoff’s sudden exit. Soon after, the pair released a damning joint statement accusing Cradle of Filth and its management of financial misconduct, verbal abuse, and exploitative behavior.

In interviews and reports that followed, they detailed the concerning working conditions within the band. Federoff claimed musicians were paid just £150 per show—amounting to approximately £25,000 per year—and were bound by exclusivity clauses that restricted them from joining or working with other bands.

The issue has sparked broader conversations around labor rights in the music industry, particularly for touring musicians under rigid contracts and limited compensation.

Filth Denies Allegations, Tour Continues

In response to the growing controversy, Dani Filth has pushed back publicly. As reported by Loudwire, he labeled the allegations an effort to “defame and derail” the band. Filth insisted that the band’s management is above board and stated he plans to present his side of the story in due time.

Despite the intensifying drama, Cradle of Filth has continued with its scheduled South American tour, refusing to cancel any performances. Filth’s camp maintains that the accusations are unfounded and rooted in personal grievances.

The situation has divided fans and drawn attention throughout the metal community, serving as a flashpoint in ongoing debates around artist treatment, management ethics, and the complexities of life inside a touring band.