Taylor Hill/WireImageThrough his representatives, Garth Brooks has issued a statement responding to a lawsuit filed against him by a woman who accuses him of sexual assault and battery. In the statement, Brooks says the woman has trying to extort him."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 says. "It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face.“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 goes on to say, “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."He concludes by saying, "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.”According to the lawsuit obtained by ABC News, the woman, referred to throughout the court documents as Jane Roe, is identified as a professional makeup artist and hairstylist who was first hired to work for Brooks' wife, Trisha Yearwood, in 1999, and then began working with Brooks in 2017. She claimed that Brooks sexually assaulted her in 2019 and also made multiple explicit remarks and advances she said were unwelcome.Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Taylor Hill/WireImageGarth Brooks has been accused of sexual assault and battery, according to a lawsuit obtained by ABC News.The plaintiff, referred to throughout the court documents as Jane Roe, filed the lawsuit in the California Supreme Court in Los Angeles County on Thursday, Oct. 3.Jane Roe is identified in the lawsuit as a professional makeup artist and hairstylist with more than 30 years in the music industry who was first hired to do makeup and hair for Brooks' wife, Trisha Yearwood, in 1999.According to the lawsuit, Roe began her working relationship with Brooks in 2017.Roe says in the complaint she was hired by Brooks more often beginning in 2019 after he learned she was "experiencing financial difficulties."The plaintiff claims her working relationship with Brooks took a turn in May 2019 when she claims the Grammy-winning singer raped her on a professional trip to Los Angeles.According to the lawsuit, Roe alleges that she traveled to Los Angeles with Brooks and they were the "only two passengers" on his private jet. Once at their hotel, Roe says she learned that Brooks had "booked a hotel suite with one bedroom, and she did not have a separate room," the lawsuit alleges.Roe claims she felt "trapped" in the hotel room, where Brooks allegedly exposed himself and raped her."Brooks rape of Ms. Roe was painful and traumatic," the court doc reads. "With cold disregard for Ms. Roe, when Brooks finished, it was business as usual. Ms. Roe worked quickly to style his hair and do his make-up for the event so he was on time."Roe is also accusing Brooks in the lawsuit of making multiple explicit remarks and advances she said were unwelcome, sexual assault in additional instances and sexual abuse."Eventually Ms. Roe was unable to continue working for Brooks and she sought legal counsel about what had happened," the doc states. "In addition, in or about May 2021, Ms. Roe moved to Mississippi."The plaintiff is demanding a trial by jury on all triable issues and seeking compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees and "further relief as the court may deem proper."ABC News has reached out to representatives for Brooks and Yearwood for statements but has not yet received a response.Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Country newcomer and Yellowstone actor Luke Grimes will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on Nov. 15. "It's hard to explain what an honor it is to be making my Opry debut," says Luke, who released his self-titled debut album in March. "To be able to step into that circle and to feel like I am part of a community of my heroes is beyond a dream come true." Tickets are available now at opry.com.Maren Morris will reunite with her longtime best friend and educator, Karina Argow, for their second children's picture book, Beatrix Butterfly Wings It For Once. "you met her in Addie Ant Goes on an Adventure, and now she gets her own story," Maren tells fans on Instagram. It hits bookstores April 8 and can be preordered now.Carly Pearce has released a new autographed floral double LP of her latest album, hummingbird, and it's exclusively available now at her merch store.Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Disney/Larry McCormackIt's no secret that Shaboozey's one 2024's biggest breakout stars, with his debut single, "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," topping the country charts and beyond.But success and celebrity status aside, the Woodbridge, Virginia, native says he's just an ordinary person like everyone else."It's cool to see people just really, you know, really get excited when they see me and see what we're doing," Shaboozey tells CMT. "Because, to me, it's just the same message and I'm a regular guy.""I grew up in a small town in Virginia, and I just didn't really do the school thing and I was just like, 'Man, I really enjoy this passion of mine and I'm [going to] keep pursuing until it gets me there,'" he says. "I hope that's what people, along with all the excited eyes, they read the story and they know that that person's just like me."You can watch Shaboozey's interview clip on CMT's social platform X.Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Disney/Randy HolmesGwen Stefani got a big birthday shout-out from her husband, Blake Shelton.The "God's Country" singer hopped on social media to wish Gwen a happy birthday, complete with sweet couple photos."HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my favorite girl.. my pretty girl @gwenstefani !!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!" Blake wrote.Blake and Gwen tied the knot on July 3, 2021, and have released several duets together, including the chart-topping "Happy Anywhere" and "Nobody But You."Blake's currently #2 and approaching the peak of the country charts with his Post Malone collab, "Pour Me a Drink." Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.