Garth Brooks isn’t taking the disturbing accusations against him sitting down.
Of course, as we reported on Thursday, the country music crooner is the focus of a newly-filed lawsuit in which a now-former makeup artist accuses him of a brutal attack and sexual assault. But just hours after the shocking rape lawsuit was first filed by the anonymous woman identified only as Jane Roe in the court documents, Trisha Yearwood‘s husband is already laying the groundwork for a very, very, very strong denial.
Related: New Details Of Alleged Garth Brooks Abuse! This Is So Disturbing! And…
In a statement released to Deadline on Thursday night, the longtime country music superstar began by claiming that he’d been the victim of an attempted shakedown for “the last two months” before this lawsuit came to light:
“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.”
Brooks also referenced a preemptive legal move he made last month — filing a lawsuit down in Mississippi in order to attempt to keep the woman from going public with what he says are these bogus claims. His statement explained:
“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.”
And in the end, he wrapped by saying that he was looking forward to his next show in Vegas later on Thursday night (more on that in a minute) while again denying the jaw-dropping claims made against him:
“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.”
Wow.
So, about that show. Brooks is hosting a standing room only residency in Las Vegas right now, at Caesars Palace‘s Colosseum. He’ll be there well into 2025. And on Thursday night, hours after the lawsuit was filed, he held one of his previously scheduled concerts at the Sin City venue.
Very early in the morning on Friday, the 62-year-old star took to Instagram with a new photo showcasing the sold-out concert. He didn’t mention the lawsuit or his accuser explicitly in the caption, but he did allude very strongly to having “needed this” show after the tumult of the day:
“If there was ever a night that I really needed this, TONIGHT was that night! Thank you for my life!!!!! love, g”
Quite the reversal from earlier on Thursday, isn’t it? What do U make of Garth’s extremely strong reaction to the shocking and unsettling claims in the lawsuit? Sound OFF with your take in the comments (below)…
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence and would like to learn more about resources, consider checking out https://www.rainn.org/resources.
[Image via DJDM/WENN/Avalon]
