Matt Zane has shared a statement issued by Jay’e Jones, the former roommate of Wayne Static‘s widow Tera Wray Static. In it, she defends Zane‘s planned unauthorized documentary on the aforementioned late couple. Zane has found himself met with strenuous opposition from the families of the late Static-X frontman and Tera over his plans to proceed with a documentary on the last seven years of their lives.
Known for his work in the adult film industry and fronting Society 1, Zane claims to have begun production on the documentary prior to Wayne and Tera‘s respective deaths at the behest of the late couple. While the families of the deceased publicly voiced their opposition to the project this month, Zane has vowed to forge ahead, launching a crowdfunding campaign for the film last week.
In light of that that forward momentum, he recently found himself hit with a cease and desist order from the families of Static and Wray. Yesterday, December 18th, Zane shared the following statement from Jones regarding the project:
“I am only sharing the following because I feel a responsibility to honor the wishes of my friends Wayne Static and Tera Wray Static.
During the last years of Wayne and Tera’s lives, I spent a great deal of time with them. In numerous conversations, they expressed how excited they were about creating a documentary about their lives together, with their close friend Matt Zane. They trusted him, and they believed in his vision. They chose HIM. This wasn’t a casual or fleeting idea, it was something they discussed repeatedly and with great enthusiasm.
After Wayne passed, Tera became even more dedicated to the project. She saved music, personal recordings, things deeply meaningful to both of them…with the intention that the material would be used in the documentary Matt would create. When she moved in with me, she made sure I knew exactly where those materials were and who was supposed to tell their story. I thought it was odd that she was so adamant in my knowing of those details, but in retrospect I suppose she knew there was a good chance that her depression could possibly overtake her…and I should know in case anything ever happened to her? I’ll never know. I did however, take that responsibility VERY seriously, especially after her suicide, which was insanely alarming and traumatic for me.
After Tera passed away, Wayne‘s incredibly sweet parents contacted me, and asked that I give them everything Tera had saved that was Wayne‘s property regarding his music. I immediately obliged. I gave them everything, in one box. Music, some personal belongings, etc. I also passed on the information that both Wayne and Tera had intentions to use some of that material (Wayne‘s newer solo recordings, etc.) for a documentary they were planning with Matt. After that, it was completely out of my hands.
Years later, when I was asked to participate in the original documentary, I agreed, because I believed I was honoring Wayne and Tera’s wishes. That is why it was shocking for me to learn that Matt was no longer involved with that original project, and that their story was being reshaped without him (and their specific wishes.) I understand that people have strong opinions about Wayne, Tera, and their past. But I want to be absolutely clear about one thing: Wayne and Tera wanted Matt Zane to tell their story.
Matt’s new documentary is the only project that reflects their original intention- to share their story honestly, with all its joy and its struggles, told by someone who loved them as a friend, not as a narrative opportunity. I ask only that people remain open-minded to that truth.
This isn’t about choosing sides. It’s about respecting Wayne and Tera’s wishes.”
In the wake of the uproar surrounding the documentary, crowdfunding for it has remained fairly stagnant, with some 4 backers having raised $400 for the project since the campaign launched on December 11th. Baked into the controversy regarding the documentary is the existence of six unreleased songs featuring vocals and songwriting contributions from Wayne Static, which Zane hopes to use in some form in the documentary.
