Garth Brooks Has Disabled Comments On His Instagram Amid Sexual Assault Allegations
By Taylor Hodgkins on October 5, 2024 at 3:00 PM EDT
Country superstar Garth Brooksis doing what he can to filter commentary and minimize speculation amid reports of sexual assault allegations earlier this week.
The "Friends in Low Places" singer made headlines on Thursday, October 3rd, after being hit with a lawsuit alleging sexual assault and battery, by a former employee. The defendant alleges the "series of assaults" took place in 2019. "Jane Doe" alleges the singer had raped her while working as a makeup artist; the incident was said to have occurred on a work trip in a Los Angeles hotel room. The incident reportedly took place as the "One Night A Day" singer was taping a Grammy Tribute performance.
The lawsuit was also filed in California.
"Jane Doe" also was said to have worked for Brooks' wife, Trisha Yearwood, as a makeup artist back in 1999, as previously reported by The Blast.
Garth Brooks Is Limiting Fan Discussion Amid Ongoing Lawsuit
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Both Brooks and Yearwood frequently post on their Instagram accounts. The duo showcases the personal aspects of their lives, like backstage snapshots and the twosome engaged in philanthropy work.
The couple's Insta-posts regularly receive engagement among their fans, but IG users may notice something different about their respective feeds: Brooks has turned off his comments on recent pics, and the comment space on Yearwood's latest photo is blank.
The 'If Tomorrow Never Comes' Singer Thanks His Live Audience
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The musician who brought rock star Chris Gains to life is continuing to move forward amid the lawsuit's filing.
While the country legend did not mention the recent events in his life outright, Brooks alluded to the situation in the caption of his latest photo on Instagram.
Brooks wrote, "If there was ever a night that I really needed this, TONIGHT was that night! Thank you for my life!!!!! love, g"
The post features a colorful shot of Brooks' live audience. The singer's tour schedule has been quite packed lately. He spent last week celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bass Pro Shop with three sold-out shows in Ridgedale, MO, according to his website.
Trisha Yearwood Has Disabled Comments On Her Instagram Photos
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The "She's In Love With The Boy" songstress has seemingly followed her husband's footsteps.
Yearwood commemorated the passing of country legend, Kris Kristofferson, last weekend. Her tribute to the legendary Highway Man features an open comment thread, as of this writing. Her 100th birthday tribute to former President Jimmy Carter, from four days ago also features enabled comments.
However, the "I'll Still Love You More" singer turned her comments off on her latest Instagram post from two days ago. Yearwood commemorated recent live concert stops in Las Vegas, amid her husband's recent residency.
The Defendant Alleges The Pair Had Made Los Angeles Trip On Private Jet
Brooks' accuser went on to detail in the lawsuit that she and Brooks had used his private jet to make the trip to Los Angeles. The pair were the only ones on the jet, according to the defendant, as The Blast previously reported.
His former employee was allegedly shocked that the artist had "booked a hotel suite with one bedroom," and the arrangements did not include a separate bedroom for her.
She continued, recalling Brooks then reportedly "appeared in the doorway" in the nude, which made her feel "uncomfortable and trapped," per CNN.
The 'Standing Outside the Fire' Singer Denied The Allegations
The 62-year-old has denied the allegations, which further detail his alleged vocal expression of "sexual fantasies." The defendant also details how the singer allegedly "groped" her while doing so.
Brooks' legal team responded, "Defendant is well aware, however, of the substantial, irreparable damage such false allegations would do to Plaintiff's well-earned reputation as a decent and caring person, along with the unavoidable damage to his family and the irreparable damage to his career and livelihood that would result if she made good on her threat to 'publicly file' her fabricated lawsuit."
The singer also claimed that "Jane Doe's" attorney sent him a "confidential" demand letter, which alleged sexual misconduct after Brooks denied her request for "salaried and medical benefits."
As of this writing, there appear to be no concert cancellations on Brooks' upcoming string of Las Vegas residency shows, per his website.