A makeup artist has filed a lawsuit accusing country music megastar Garth Brooks of sexual assault, a case that her attorneys say highlights the prevalence of sexual misconduct beyond industries typically scrutinized. The woman, referred to in court documents by the pseudonym “Jane Roe,” alleges that Brooks raped her in a hotel room, made unwanted sexual advances, and repeatedly engaged in inappropriate behavior during her employment, leaving her deeply traumatized.
The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, claims that Brooks, 61, assaulted the woman during a trip to Los Angeles in 2019 for a Grammy tribute performance. According to the lawsuit, the woman had worked with Brooks as his makeup artist and hair stylist since 2017. The alleged misconduct includes groping, exposing himself to her, sending inappropriate messages, and discussing sexual fantasies. These events reportedly escalated into an incident of rape in a hotel room, which left the woman struggling with severe emotional distress, even contemplating suicide.
The makeup artist’s legal team, which includes prominent attorney Douglas Wigdor—who previously represented clients in sexual assault lawsuits against disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein—applauded their client’s bravery in stepping forward. “The complaint filed today demonstrates that sexual predators exist not only in corporate America, Hollywood, and the rap and rock-and-roll industries but also in the world of country music,” Wigdor’s firm said in a statement.
In a separate but related development, Garth Brooks had filed his own lawsuit against the woman in September, accusing her of attempting to extort him. Filed in a Mississippi federal court, Brooks’ lawsuit claims that the woman was threatening to go public with fabricated sexual misconduct allegations unless he paid her several million dollars. Brooks, who has denied the allegations, asserts that the woman’s claims are entirely false and were designed to irreparably damage his reputation, family, and career.
The Mississippi lawsuit, filed under anonymity, accused the woman of defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. “Defendant is well aware of the substantial, irreparable damage such false allegations would do to Plaintiff’s well-earned reputation as a decent and caring person,” the lawsuit stated.
The makeup artist’s attorneys contend that Brooks’ Mississippi lawsuit was a preemptive move to silence their client. They characterized it as an “act of desperation and intimidation,” meant to undermine the sexual assault claims before they could be brought forward. “We are confident that Brooks will be held accountable for his actions,” the woman’s legal team said, encouraging other potential victims to come forward.
The woman’s lawsuit against Brooks outlines six claims, including assault, battery, sexual battery, gender violence, and violations of California’s Bane Act and Ralph Act, both of which protect individuals from threats of violence and intimidation. While the lawsuit was filed in California on Thursday, it had not yet appeared in official court records at the time of the attorneys’ statements. Court officials note that it can take a few days for such filings to be processed and assigned a docket number.
This legal battle now involves dueling lawsuits, with Brooks seeking to clear his name and the accuser seeking justice for what she claims was a pattern of sexual misconduct. The case has garnered attention not only because of Brooks’ celebrity status but also because of the broader discussions around sexual harassment and assault in the entertainment industry. Both sides have presented their narratives, and the court will ultimately determine the truth behind the conflicting allegations.
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