Country music icon Garth Brooks has been accused of sexual assault and battery in a lawsuit filed by a hairstylist and makeup artist referred to as “Jane Roe.” The complaint, lodged in a California state court on Thursday, alleges that the incidents occurred in 2019, including a claim that Brooks raped Roe during a work trip.
In a statement provided to CNN, Brooks expressed his distress over the allegations, stating, “For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars.” He further emphasized his stance against paying what he termed “hush money,” asserting that doing so would imply an admission of guilt regarding actions he claims he could never commit. “We filed suit against this person nearly a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of families on both sides,” he added.
Prior to Roe’s filing, an anonymous plaintiff—later identified as Brooks—sought to prevent her from making her allegations public, vigorously denying her claims. This prior complaint was filed as a “John Doe” action. According to Roe’s lawsuit, she began providing hair and makeup services for Brooks in 2017, though she had first been hired to work with his wife, Trisha Yearwood, in 1999. CNN has reached out to Yearwood’s representatives for comment.
Douglas H. Wigdor, the attorney representing Roe, responded to Brooks’ statements, asserting, “I cannot get into settlement discussions, but the suggestion made by Brooks that he was unwilling to pay millions is simply not true. We are very confident in our case, and over time the public will see his true character rather than his highly curated persona.”
The lawsuit details multiple allegations against Brooks, including claims that he exposed himself, discussed sexual topics, shared fantasies, frequently changed clothes in front of Roe, and sent sexually explicit messages. One alleged incident described in the suit states that during a work visit to Brooks’ home in 2019, he emerged from the shower naked, allegedly grabbed Roe’s hands, and forced them onto his genitals while using vulgar language.
The most severe allegation arises from a May 2019 incident during a work trip to Los Angeles for a Grammy tribute performance. According to the lawsuit, Brooks and Roe traveled on his private jet, which usually accommodated more passengers but was solely occupied by them this time. Upon reaching the hotel, Roe claims she was shocked to discover that Brooks had booked a suite with only one bedroom, leaving her feeling vulnerable and trapped.
Roe alleges that after the assault, Brooks continued to express his sexual fantasies, frequently groped her, and made comments about wanting to have a threesome with Yearwood. In his previous complaint as John Doe, Brooks accused Roe’s attorney of sending him a “confidential” demand letter alleging sexual misconduct after he had turned down her request for “salaried employment and medical benefits.”
Brooks’ earlier lawsuit insisted that the allegations were false and warned of the severe reputational damage they could cause him. He claimed, “Defendant is well aware, however, of the substantial, irreparable damage such false allegations would do to Plaintiff’s well-earned reputation as a decent and caring person, along with the unavoidable damage to his family and the irreparable damage to his career and livelihood that would result if she made good on her threat to ‘publicly file’ her fabricated lawsuit.”
Roe’s legal team characterized Brooks’ efforts to silence her as desperate attempts at intimidation. Wigdor, along with colleagues Jeanne M. Christensen and Hayley Baker, stated, “We are confident that Brooks will be held accountable for his actions. We applaud our client’s courage in moving forward with her complaint against Garth Brooks. The complaint filed today demonstrates that sexual predators exist not only in corporate America, Hollywood, and the rap and rock music industries but also in the world of country music.”
As this story develops, updates will be provided to reflect the latest information regarding the lawsuit and its implications for both parties involved. The allegations against Brooks raise significant issues about accountability and conduct in the entertainment industry, shining a light on the experiences of those who work behind the scenes.