Garth Brooks Rejects Sexual Assault Claims, Describes Allegations as Hush Money Scheme
Garth Brooks has refuted sexual assault allegations made by a makeup artist, labeling them a "hush money" scheme. He described being threatened with extortion over the past two months and had previously filed a lawsuit anonymously against the accuser. The plaintiff claims Brooks assaulted her in a hotel room during a Grammy event in 2019 and exposed her to inappropriate behavior, which he denies vehemently. Brooks emphasizes his commitment to fighting these accusations and protecting his reputation.
Garth Brooks has firmly denied allegations of sexual assault leveled against him by a former makeup artist, characterizing the claims as an extortion attempt. The country music star's responses come following a legal complaint filed against him in California.
Brooks Rejects Allegations as Extortion
The renowned country musician, Garth Brooks, age 62, faced serious allegations of sexual assault and battery, which were documented in a complaint filed in a California state court by a makeup artist who provided services for his wife, Trisha Yearwood. In a swift response to the allegations, Brooks labeled the claims as an act of 'hush money' shakedown, emphasizing that he has been persistently harassed by threats and fabrications aimed at coercing him into financially compensating the accuser. He stated that engaging in such a transaction would imply an admission to wrongful conduct which he adamantly professes he did not commit. Brooks and his legal team had already initiated a lawsuit against the plaintiff almost a month prior, underscoring their stance against what they perceive as character defamation and extortion.
Details of the Allegations
The plaintiff, who filed her complaint anonymously under the name 'Jane Roe,' accused Brooks of sexual assault occurring during a trip to Los Angeles for a Grammy event in May 2019. According to the court documents, Roe claims that Brooks booked a single hotel suite for both of them, refusing her request for separate accommodations. The allegations detail a disturbing incident wherein she claims that Brooks confronted her in the hotel room in a state of undress, leading to her being forcibly taken into another room where the assault allegedly occurred. Prior to the alleged incident in Los Angeles, the makeup artist asserts that she was subjected to sexual advances and provocative behavior from Brooks at his home, where she claims he made inappropriate physical demands.
Continuing Accusations and Reactions
Roe further alleged that during her employment with Brooks, he engaged in highly inappropriate behavior, including sending sexually explicit messages and making unwanted physical advances. In her complaint, she noted that despite expressing discomfort with Brooks' behavior, he persisted with lewd comments and actions, including moments when he would expose himself in her presence. Following the events in Los Angeles, she maintained that Brooks continued his inappropriate advance, reinforcing the assertion that his actions escalated during her tenure as his makeup artist.
Legal Maneuvers and Responses
In the lead-up to Roe's lawsuit, Brooks had initiated a federal court filing in Mississippi, claiming that her allegations were false and prompted by a prior request for employment benefits. In his legal submission, he argued for a protective order against the public dissemination of what he termed 'false allegations' that could irreparably damage his reputation and career. Nonetheless, Roe's legal counsel countered by asserting that Brooks's efforts to suppress her claims represented a tactic to intimidate and silence her as she pursued justice for her allegations against him. The makeup artist's representatives commended her bravery in coming forward, emphasizing that issues of sexual misconduct are prevalent across various entertainment industries, including country music.
