The war of words between Mötley Crüe and former guitarist Mick Mars has reached a new level of personal animosity, as bassist Nikki Sixx has now declared, “I’m actually ashamed of him,” in a blistering new social media post that directly accuses Mars of lying to the fans in an attempt to “hurt the band.”
Moving from a defensive posture to an all-out offensive, Sixx took to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, September 14, to amplify his recent interview with the Los Angeles Times and to rally the band’s fanbase against his former bandmate of 40 years.
His full statement reads:
“Read this @latimes article and find out how Mick Mars lied to you to try and hurt the band. Why would he betray you and us? Money? Wow-Read it and find out what happened to him and his dirty lawyers in arbitration.. I’m actually ashamed of him. So should you be too-More to be revealed soon.”
The direct and aggressive post is a significant escalation from the already forceful comments Sixx made in the L.A. Times interview just days ago. In that piece, he first described Mars‘s allegations that the band performs to backing tracks as a “crazy betrayal” and a “betrayal to the band who saved his life.” His new post takes that sentiment a step further, directly labeling Mars a liar and attempting to turn the band’s loyal fanbase against him.
The core of the bitter dispute is the most damaging allegation from Mars‘s April 2023 lawsuit, in which he claimed he was the only member to play 100 percent live during the band’s 2022 stadium tour, specifically alleging that Nikki Sixx “did not play a single note on bass.”
This is a claim the Mötley Crüe camp has vehemently and consistently denied. The band’s attorney, Sasha Frid, recently stated that the claim was even refuted by Mars‘s own legal team. “Even Mars‘s expert witness in the litigation, who Mars hired and who reviewed hours of footage, agreed and said that the band played live while performing. He disputed Mars‘s own claims,” Frid said.
The feud began after Mars retired from touring in October 2022 due to his degenerative health condition, Ankylosing Spondylitis. He subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the band was attempting to unjustly remove him from his 25% ownership stake.
Read this @latimes article and find out how Mick Mars lied to you to try and hurt the band. Why would he betray you and us? Money? Wow-Read it and find out what happened to him and his dirty lawyers in arbitration.. I’m actually ashamed of him. So should you be too-More to be…
— 📷 (@NikkiSixx) September 13, 2025
