This story just keeps getting more bizarre.
Of course the country music world was shocked yesterday when a lawsuit was filed against country superstar Garth Brooks accusing him of sexual assault and rape.
The disturbing allegations were made by a makeup artist and hairstylist who formerly worked for Trisha Yearwood, and began working for Garth around 2017. She claims that in 2019, she arrived at Brooks’ house to do his hair and makeup but was greeted by a naked Garth walking out of the shower with an erect penis. She says he forced her to touch him and encouraged her to perform oral sex, telling her that he had fantasized about this moment and wanted to “come all over her face,” especially while she wore her glasses.
She claims she was naturally horrified and said no, but continued to work for him, as she needed the money.
Then, she alleges that she accompanied Garth on a trip to Los Angeles for a GRAMMY tribute to Sam Moore, where the singer booked only one hotel room and violently raped her.
The complaint is extremely graphic and disturbing, and alleges that the plaintiff has text messages, emails and audio recordings to support her claims.
Garth has, of course, denied the claims, calling them an attempt at extortion:
“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. It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face.
Hush money, no matter how much or how little, is still hush money. In my mind, that means I am admitting to behavior I am incapable of – ugly acts no human should ever do to another.
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.
I want to play music tonight. I want to continue our good deeds doing forward. It breaks my heart these wonderful things are in question now. I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be.”
It was also revealed that Garth had actually filed an anonymous lawsuit against his accuser in Mississippi last month. In that case, the plaintiff, now revealed to be Garth Brooks, asked the court for an injunction to prevent his accuser from making her allegations public, claiming that her accusations are false and would cause irreparable damage to his reputation.
But tucked into that lawsuit is another interesting tidbit: His accuser also allegedly expressed her fear that Garth would hire someone to murder her.
According to the lawsuit filed by Garth, he first learned of the allegations of sexual assault on July 17, when he received a letter from his accuser’s attorney laying out her claims. And in that letter, she also said that she believed Garth would hire someone to have her murdered.
From the lawsuit filed by the country star, a copy of which has been obtained by Whiskey Riff:
“Specifically, on July 17, 2024, an attorney acting at Defendant’s direction sent Plaintiff and others with whom Plaintiff professionally works an ostensibly “confidential” demand letter alleging a litany of sexual misconduct by Plaintiff ranging from allegations of sexual “grooming,” creation of a sexually hostile work environment, unwanted sexual touching, and sexual assault.
Defendant also alleged a belief that Plaintiff planned to hire someone to murder her. The July 17 demand letter was the first time Plaintiff learned of these allegations, none of which has any basis in fact.”
Garth continues that the accuser knows her allegations would cause irreparable damage to his “well-earned reputation as a decent and caring person.” He also accuses her of threatening him privately with the demand letter precisely because she knew he would want to avoid damage to his reputation.
What a mess – and a terrible situation all the way around, whether the allegations are true or not.
