Wed. Feb 5th, 2025
garth brooks

Garth Brooks, an iconic figure in country music, finds himself embroiled in a serious legal battle as a former hair and makeup artist has accused him of sexual assault and battery. The plaintiff, referred to as Jane Roe, alleges that Brooks raped her in a hotel room in Los Angeles in 2019.

The lawsuit, filed in a California court and obtained by USA TODAY, claims that the 62-year-old Brooks “seized what he saw as an opportunity to subject a female employee to a side of Brooks that he conceals from the public. This side believes he is entitled to sexual gratification when he desires it, and using a female employee to achieve this is deemed fair game.”

Before Roe’s filing, CNN reported that an anonymous celebrity plaintiff—now revealed to be Brooks—attempted to prevent his accuser from publicly reiterating her allegations and denied the various claims of physical and sexual abuse.

The recent lawsuit comes on the heels of Brooks’ own attempt to shield the sexual assault claims from public scrutiny. On September 13, he filed a lawsuit in Mississippi federal court under the pseudonym John Doe, coinciding with his announcement regarding the conclusion of his Las Vegas residency.

In the previous filing, Brooks asserted that the sexual assault allegations “would irreparably harm the Plaintiff’s reputation, family, career, and livelihood.” He has been married to Grammy Award-winning artist Trisha Yearwood since 2005.

In a statement to USA TODAY, Roe’s attorneys commended their client for her bravery in pursuing her claims against Brooks. “The complaint filed today underscores the existence of sexual predators not only in corporate America and Hollywood but also within the realm of country music,” stated attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor, Jeanne M. Christensen, and Hayley Baker.

“We are resolute in our belief that Garth Brooks will be held accountable for his actions, and his attempts to silence our client through a preemptive lawsuit in Mississippi represent nothing short of desperation and intimidation. We encourage others who may have been victimized to reach out to us, as no survivor should endure their suffering in silence.”

Roe’s lawsuit is filed under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which allows for the revival of sexual abuse claims that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations.