Country music star Garth Brooks has been accused of sexual assault and battery in a new lawsuit filed by a “Jane Roe,” who claims she worked as his hairstylist and makeup artist. The lawsuit, filed in California on Thursday and obtained by CNN, alleges the incidents occurred in 2019, including a claim that Brooks raped her during a work trip.
In a statement to CNN, Brooks responded to the allegations, saying, “For the last two months, I’ve been harassed with threats, lies, and demands for millions of dollars.” He continued, “Hush money is still hush money, no matter the amount. Paying would mean admitting to behavior I am incapable of—horrific acts no human should commit.” Brooks also disclosed that he had filed a lawsuit nearly a month ago to counter what he describes as “extortion and defamation of character.”
Previously, an anonymous “John Doe” lawsuit was filed to block Roe from repeating her allegations, with Brooks now revealed as the plaintiff. Roe’s lawsuit claims she began working for Brooks in 2017 after first being hired to do hair and makeup for his wife, Trisha Yearwood, in 1999.
The lawsuit includes allegations of sexual misconduct, such as Brooks exposing himself, making sexually explicit comments, sending inappropriate text messages, and forcibly grabbing her hands to touch his genitals. Roe also alleges that Brooks raped her during a May 2019 trip to Los Angeles when they stayed in a single hotel suite after flying together on his private jet.
Brooks’ initial lawsuit as John Doe claimed that Roe’s attorney had sent a confidential demand letter alleging misconduct after Brooks declined her request for salaried employment and medical benefits. Garth Brooks strongly denies the allegations, arguing they are false and could cause irreparable damage to his reputation, family, and career.
Roe’s legal team, however, states that Brooks’ attempts to silence their client by filing a preemptive lawsuit in Mississippi were “acts of desperation and intimidation.” They expressed confidence that Brooks would be held accountable for his actions, saying that the lawsuit shows sexual misconduct is not limited to certain industries but exists in country music as well.