Country music star Garth Brooks has been accused of r*pe and sexual assault in a lawsuit filed in California.
The lawsuit was filed by a woman identified as "Jane Roe," who previously worked as a hairstylist and makeup artist for the country star.
According to the lawsuit, Jane Roe alleges that Brooks r*ped her while she was employed by him between 2017 and 2020, per BBC News.
She also claims that he repeatedly groped her and made sexually explicit comments during her time working for him.
The lawsuit alleges that in May 2019, Brooks invited Jane Roe to accompany him on his private jet to Los Angeles for a Grammy tribute event.
Upon arrival at the hotel, the woman claims Brooks had only booked one suite with a single bedroom, which they were both expected to share.
Once inside the hotel suite, Brooks allegedly appeared naked in the doorway of the bedroom before r*ping her, according to the legal filing.
Following this alleged attack, Jane Roe claims that Brooks continued to make unwanted sexual advances on multiple occasions.
The lawsuit states that he forced her to touch his genitals and shared explicit fantasies with her.
Further, the lawsuit accuses Brooks of suggesting that Jane Roe engage in a threesome with his wife, fellow country music star Trisha Yearwood.
In response to the accusations, Brooks took legal action last month by filing an anonymous lawsuit in Mississippi.
His lawsuit seeks to stop the publication of what he describes as "false allegations of sexual misconduct" by the former employee.
Brooks warned that these claims would "irreparably harm (his) reputation, family, career, and livelihood."
In his statement to the BBC, Brooks expressed his frustration with the lawsuit and denied all accusations.
"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," he said.
He continued: "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."
Brooks also addressed the impact of the accusations on his career and personal life.
"I want to play music tonight. I want to continue our good deeds going 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."
Jane Roe’s legal team, from Wigdor LLP, praised their client's bravery in bringing the lawsuit forward, per the Independent.
In a statement to PA, the law firm said: "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 in the rap and rock and roll industries but also in the world of country music."
The statement added: "We are confident that Brooks will be held accountable for his actions and his efforts to silence our client through the filing of a preemptive complaint in Mississippi was nothing other than an act of desperation and attempted intimidation."
Wigdor LLP encouraged others who may have been victimized to come forward, saying: "No survivor should suffer in silence."
