Garth Brooks appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live amid sexual assault lawsuit

Garth Brooks put his legal troubles aside to perform a mini-concert during the Monday, November 25, episode of Jimmy Kimmel live.

The country music star, 62, sang for fans at the free outdoor event, performing an upbeat cover of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Fishin’ in the Dark.” After the set, he smiled and held out his arms to loud applause and shouted “Nitty Gritty!”

Before Brooks’ performance, he sat down with the host Jimmy Kimmel and shared his family’s vacation plans. He said that his wife, Trisha Yearwood“doing what we call a mismatched Thanksgiving” and inviting “a lot of people” whose “families are somewhere else. So they’re alone on Thanksgiving. She opens her doors.”

He called Yearwood, 60, a “fantastic cook” and said he is not allowed in the kitchen while she is there. “I can clean up,” he said. “That’s about all I can do. I don’t want to get in the way of perfection. This woman has got it going.”

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SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images Country singer Garth Brooks has had ups and downs throughout his career. Brooks rose to fame in 1989 with the release of his self-titled debut album. He has since won two Grammy Awards, 23 Academy of Country Music Awards, two CMT Awards, 10 CMA Awards and many (…)

Brooks, who wore a casual black sweatshirt, jeans and hat, also talked about his time in Las Vegas, the first time he heard one of his songs on the radio – it was “Much Too Young (to Feel This Damn Old)” in 1989 – and when he built a wooden bridge with his three daughters Taylor, 32, August, 30, and Allie, 28, who he shares with his ex-wife Sandy Mahl.

However, his musical appearance almost didn’t happen after ticketing company 1iota started promoting the concert via social media earlier this month.

“Garth Brooks brings his magic to @jimmykimmellive with an exclusive outdoor mini-concert!” 1iota wrote via Instagram on November 15. “Be there when the legend of country music lights up the stage. Claim your FREE tickets via the link in our bio!”

But days later, fans who had secured tickets to the event received an email telling them it had been cancelled.

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Garth Brooks was accused of sexual assault and violence, and the lawsuit contains some shocking allegations. News broke Thursday, Oct. 3, that Brooks, 62, was named in documents filed by a “Jane Roe.” The lawsuit accused the country’s superstar of raping a woman who used to work as a hairdresser and make-up artist for (…)

“Unfortunately, Garth Brook’s outdoor mini-concert at Jimmy Kimmel Live! Monday 25 November has been canceled and will no longer proceed as planned. TV production decisions can fluctuate for a variety of reasons,” the company said in a statement. “We hate to deliver disappointing news, and we hope you’ll join us in the future for another exciting fan experience. Unfortunately, these things sometimes happen in the world of television. This event will not be rescheduled.”

Then, in a surprise twist, ABC confirmed on Friday, Nov. 22 that Brooks’ gig was back on.

Some speculated that the back and forth over the country singer’s performance on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! was due to allegations of sexual assault and battery against him by his former hair and makeup artist in October. According to court documents obtained by Us Weekly at the time, a woman identified as “Jane Roe” filed a lawsuit against Brooks, alleging that he raped her during a 2019 work trip to Los Angeles as well as sent her sexually explicit text messages and repeatedly exposed his genitals to her.

Brooks has denied the allegations on more than one occasion.

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While Hollywood may appear on the surface to be all glitz and glam, the industry has seen its fair share of scandals over the years. The New York Times and New Yorker first published investigative pieces in 2017 accusing disgruntled film producer Harvey Weinstein of decades of sexual assault and harassment. Soon after, Weinstein stood trial and was (…)

“For the past two months I have been bombarded with threats, lies and tragic tales of what my future would be if I didn’t write a multi-million dollar check,” he shared. Us in an October announcement. “It’s 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, it means I’m condoning behavior I’m not capable of – nasty acts that no human being should ever do to another,” he continued . “We filed a lawsuit against this individual almost a month ago to speak out against extortion and defamation of character. We filed it anonymously for the sake of families on both sides.”

“I want to play music tonight,” Brooks concluded. “I want to continue our good works going forward. It breaks my heart (that) these wonderful things are happening now. I trust the system, I’m not afraid of the truth, and I’m not the man they’ve painted me to be. “

Earlier this month, Brooks filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit against him and requested a Dec. 9 hearing. Roe’s lawyer, Jeanne M. Christensenresponded by telling Deadline, “This is just more of the same bullying and intimidation Garth Brooks has used from the moment he learned our client intended to hold him accountable. We look forward to going before a jury and get to the bottom of the matter.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please get in touch National sexual assault hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).