Country music star Garth Brooks has been accused of rape and sexual assault by his former hair and make-up artist, referred to as Jane Roe in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Roe alleges that the assault occurred while traveling with Brooks to the 2019 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, where he was performing.
Despite normally traveling with an entourage, the lawsuit claims that Brooks flew alone with Roe on his private jet and booked only one hotel suite for both of them. In the suite, Roe alleges that Brooks appeared naked in the doorway and raped her.
Brooks has responded to the allegations, denying any wrongdoing and accusing Roe of attempting to extort him for millions of dollars. In a statement to the PA news agency, Brooks claimed that for two months, he had been harassed with threats and demands for hush money, which he refused to pay.
He described the situation as feeling like “having a loaded gun waved” in his face, asserting that paying any amount of hush money would imply guilt for actions he says he is incapable of committing. He strongly rejected the accusations, calling them lies.
Roe’s lawsuit also details further inappropriate behavior from Brooks following the alleged rape. She claims that Brooks acted as though nothing had happened and expected her to continue doing his hair and make-up immediately afterward.
The lawsuit also accuses Brooks of earlier misconduct in the same year, when Roe alleges that he exposed himself to her at his home, grabbed her hands, and forced them onto his genitals. Roe describes this as part of a broader pattern of harassment and inappropriate behavior.
In response to these claims, Brooks had filed a separate lawsuit last month in federal court in Mississippi. In that case, both Brooks and Roe were anonymized, with Brooks filing under the name John Doe.
Brooks’s lawsuit asserts that the allegations are entirely false and claims that he only learned of them in July when Roe allegedly threatened to sue him publicly unless he paid her millions of dollars. Brooks sought legal action to stop Roe from defaming him, accusing her of causing emotional distress and tarnishing his reputation with false allegations.
Brooks expressed his frustration in another public statement, saying that he wants to focus on his music and good deeds but now finds himself distracted by these serious accusations.
He emphasized his trust in the legal system and his confidence in the truth coming out, stating that he is not the man the allegations portray him to be. Brooks remains committed to clearing his name and continuing his career despite the legal battle he now faces.
In addition to the incidents mentioned in the lawsuit, Roe alleges that Brooks exposed himself to her on multiple occasions, discussed sexual fantasies with her, and sent her explicit text messages.
She claims that her financial situation made it impossible for her to leave the job, and that Brooks was fully aware of her hardships and exploited her vulnerability. Roe’s long-term working relationship with Brooks, having worked for him since 1999, adds another layer to the allegations.
It is believed that Roe also worked for Brooks’ wife, fellow country star Trisha Yearwood. Yearwood has not publicly commented on the allegations, but the lawsuit raises questions about the professional dynamic between Roe and the couple, as well as how long the alleged misconduct had been occurring. Roe’s claims span a significant period of time, adding to the complexity of the case.
Garth Brooks, born in Oklahoma, is widely regarded as one of the biggest stars in country music, especially during the 1990s. With iconic hits such as “Friends in Low Places” and “The Thunder Rolls,” he became a household name and a defining figure in the genre.
Despite the controversy surrounding him now, Brooks’s contributions to country music are undeniable, and he remains the top-selling individual artist in U.S. history, according to his official website, with 20 Billboard number one singles and 157 million record sales.
In March 2024, Brooks concluded a residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. His marriage to fellow country singer Trisha Yearwood, which began in 2005, has long made them one of country music’s power couples.
While Brooks continues to navigate his music career, the serious allegations against him now threaten to overshadow his professional achievements.
