LOS ANGELES — One of country music’s biggest stars has issued a strong denial of the rape allegations that surfaced in the form of a lawsuit from a former employee on Thursday.
Garth Brooks called the allegations “threats” and “lies” according to Newsweek, and he promised to continue playing his music in light of the litigation.
“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,” he said, via Newsweek. “It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face.”
Brooks is being sued by a “Jane Roe,” identified only as a hair and makeup artist that he formerly employed, alleging that he committed sexual assault and battery against her on multiple occasions.
One of the allegations was that Brooks raped the woman in a Los Angeles hotel room in May 2019. Other claims included allegations that Brooks forced the woman to grab his genitals and asked her to perform sexual acts.
Brooks claimed he was given at least one chance to pay off his accuser to keep the incidents secret, though he emphatically declined to pay.
“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 said in part.
The “Friends in Low Places” singer, who is in the midst of a residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, says he plans to continue performing.
“I want to play music tonight,” he said. “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.”
Brooks played one of those shows on Thursday night in Las Vegas. After the show, he took to social media to thank his fans.
“If there was ever a night that I really needed this, TONIGHT was that night! Thank you for my life!!!!! love, g,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The lawsuit is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.