Topline
Country star Garth Brooks was accused of sexual assault and battery in a lawsuit filed by a makeup and hair artist who allegedly worked with the singer-songwriter, according to a filing obtained by Forbes.
Key Facts
The lawsuit, filed by a “Jane Roe” in California on Thursday, accuses Brooks of rape, indecent exposure and sexual harassment, with the alleged incidents occurring in 2019.
The lawsuit claimed the rape happened during a work trip to Los Angeles in which Roe and Brooks flew to the city with no other passengers on his private jet and later stayed in a one-bed hotel room, with Roe saying in the lawsuit she was surprised there was no separate room for her to stay in.
A preemptive lawsuit was filed against Roe by Brooks in September that denied her allegations and claimed she made the accusations with malice and “for the improper purpose of extorting an unwarranted payment from Plaintiff,” according to Variety, which noted Roe is represented by lawyer Douglas Wigdor, known for handling cases that were prominent in the #MeToo movement.
Roe’s lawyers told Forbes that Brooks’ preemptive suit, which seeks damages, was “nothing other than an act of desperation and attempted intimidation.”
Representatives for Brooks did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
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Key Background
Roe, who claimed she worked for Brooks’ wife in 1999, began working with Brooks in 2017 and worked more frequently with the country singer in 2019 as she experienced financial hardship, according to the lawsuit. Brooks has sung professionally since the 1980s and become one of country music’s most popular singers. Brooks was the highest-paid country performer in 2017, according to Forbes, earning $60 million that year.
Garth Brooks Sued by Makeup Artist for Alleged Rape and Sexual Assault (Variety)
Garth Brooks accused of sexual assault and battery in lawsuit from hair-and-makeup artist who worked for him (CNN)
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