Country music icon Garth Brooks is facing allegations of sexual assault and battery in a lawsuit filed by an unnamed woman who claims to have worked as his hairstylist and makeup artist.
The lawsuit, submitted to a California state court and made public on Thursday, alleges that the incidents took place in 2019. The woman, referred to as “Jane Roe,” claims that Brooks raped her during a work trip.
In response to the allegations, Brooks issued a statement asserting that he has been subjected to threats and false narratives over the past two months. He stated, “Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money… I am incapable of – ugly acts no human should ever do to another.” Brooks explained that he had filed a lawsuit against Roe to counter claims of extortion and defamation, doing so anonymously to protect both families involved.
Previously, before Roe filed her suit, Brooks had sought to prevent her from publicly sharing the allegations, vehemently denying her claims in a separate complaint under the pseudonym “John Doe.”
Roe has alleged that Brooks made sexual advances, including exposing his genitals and buttocks, engaging in sexually explicit conversations, and sending obscene text messages. One incident she describes involved Brooks emerging naked from the shower and forcibly placing her hands on his genitals while using vulgar language.
Another serious allegation recounted in the suit claims that Brooks raped Roe in a Los Angeles hotel room during a work engagement in May 2019 after flying there on his private jet. Roe noted that she was shocked to find that Brooks had booked a hotel suite with only one bedroom. She claims that after the assault, Brooks continued to harass her with sexual comments and unwanted physical advances.
In a separate prior lawsuit, Brooks asserted that the allegations against him were untrue and highlighted the potential damage they could inflict on his reputation and career. He stated that he received a confidential demand letter from Roe’s attorney after refusing her request for employment and medical benefits.
Roe’s legal team responded by stating that Brooks’ actions were an attempt at intimidation and expressed confidence that he would be held accountable. They emphasized the broader issue of sexual misconduct present across various sectors, including the country music industry.
This story is ongoing and further updates are expected.