A new lawsuit filed in California state court alleges that country star Garth Brooks sexually assaulted and battered a hair and makeup artist working for him. The lawsuit was filed by a person identified as “Jane Roe” and accuses Brooks of forcing her to touch his erect penis in 2019 while she was styling his hair at his home. It is also alleged that Brooks raped her in a hotel room in Los Angeles later that same year. Other accusations include Brooks exposing his genitals and buttocks to her, engaging in sexually explicit conversations, sharing sexual fantasies, and sending sexually explicit text messages. The lawsuit also claims that Brooks attempted to cover up his harassment of Roe by deleting explicit texts he had sent her. Brooks has denied the accusations and did not respond to requests for comment.
Roe’s lawsuit also states that she first worked for Brooks’ wife, Trisha Yearwood, in 1999 and began working for Brooks in 2017. She relocated to Mississippi in 2021. In response to the California lawsuit, Brooks filed a preemptive complaint in Mississippi through a person identified as “John Doe,” who is said to be a celebrity and public figure residing in Tennessee. This complaint alleged that Roe is lying and attempting to extort money from Brooks to damage his reputation. The complaint also claimed that Roe had threatened to file her lawsuit in California after Brooks refused to provide her with a raise and pay for health insurance. Brooks’ legal team stated that the accusations have caused him emotional distress, anxiety, and fear for his family. Brooks and his team have denied the allegations and described the situation as harassment and attempted extortion.
In a statement issued by Brooks, he expressed that he has been repeatedly threatened and harassed for the past two months with the demand for millions of dollars to avoid negative repercussions. Brooks emphasized that he refused to pay any sum as ‘hush money,’ as allegations of wrongdoings are false and contrary to his character. Brooks acknowledged filing a suit against the individual behind the allegations to combat extortion and defamation of character. The complaint was initially filed anonymously to protect both families involved. Brooks expressed his desire to continue making music and charitable contributions, stressing that the accusations have put these activities into question. He reaffirmed his trust in the legal system, his commitment to the truth, and his belief in his innocence.
Brooks’ complaint seeks damages, a declaration that the allegations of sexual misconduct against him are false, an injunction to prevent Roe from filing her lawsuit, and a jury trial. On the other hand, Roe’s lawsuit is also seeking damages and a jury trial. Roe’s legal team commended her courage in coming forward with her complaint against the country music star. They highlighted that the lawsuit shed light on the presence of sexual predators not only in industries like Hollywood, but also in the country music world. The legal team suggested that this case serves as a reminder that individuals in positions of power can engage in inappropriate behavior and need to be held accountable. The lawsuit represents another instance of the ongoing reckoning with sexual misconduct accusations that have surfaced across various industries.
