Garth Brooks is bracing for a potential legal showdown following sexual assault allegations made against him by a former hairstylist and makeup artist. In a recent Facebook Live episode of his show Inside Studio G, the country star addressed the allegations and the anticipated two-year legal process.
“Lots happened in the last two weeks. Let’s address the elephant in the room, shall we?” Brooks stated on October 7. “This thing is on; it’s gonna happen.” He urged his fans to take a deep breath and prepare for a challenging journey, noting that, “it’s something that we cannot talk about. That’s all we can say about it.”
Brooks pivoted the conversation to his charitable work with Habitat for Humanity alongside his wife, Trisha Yearwood, and his ongoing residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
The allegations stem from a lawsuit filed on October 3 by a woman identified as “Jane Roe,” who worked with Brooks for 15 years. The complaint details incidents of alleged inappropriate behavior, beginning in 2019 when Roe visited Brooks at his home for a styling appointment. According to the suit, Brooks allegedly coerced her into sexual acts and assaulted her during an event in the summer of 2019.
The complaint claims that Brooks frequently exposed himself in front of Roe and made unsolicited sexual advances, including groping her while she styled his hair and makeup. Roe ceased her employment with Brooks in mid-2021 and subsequently relocated to Mississippi.
In response to the lawsuit, Brooks contends that Roe attempted to extort him financially. He asserts that she had previously sent him a “demand letter” and made monetary requests during a period of personal hardship. Brooks maintains that he initially offered support out of loyalty but alleges that her demands escalated to a request for substantial salary and benefits.
Brooks’ legal team filed a counterclaim in Mississippi, accusing Roe of fabricating allegations of sexual misconduct. He revealed that a “confidential demand letter” from her attorneys referenced other celebrity sexual misconduct cases, hinting at potential financial gain. Brooks alleges that Roe threatened to publicly accuse him of assault if he did not comply with her demands for a significant payout.
In his response to the allegations, Brooks characterized the situation as an extortion attempt. “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 told PEOPLE on October 3. He firmly stated that he will not be coerced into silence, emphasizing, “Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money.”
Brooks expressed his desire to continue making music and contributing positively to the community, while affirming his trust in the legal system. “I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be,” he declared.
Following Brooks’ comments, attorney Douglas H. Wigdor, representing the accuser, stated, “We are very confident in our case and over time the public will see his true character rather than his highly curated persona.”
As this situation unfolds, all eyes will remain on Brooks as he navigates the complexities of the impending legal battle.
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