Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood made a surprise joint appearance at President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
The couple performed together while celebrating the life of longtime friend Carter at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. on Thursday, January 9. Brooks, 62, and Yearwood, 60, performed their own version of “Imagine” by John Lennon alongside the church choir. (Brooks and Yearwood sang the same song at Rosalynn Carter’s 2023 funeral.)
Carter, who made history in 2019 as the longest-living president in U.S. history, died at age 100 on December 29, 2024. Carter’s son Chip honored his dad in a statement, announcing his death. (Carter shared Chip, along with Jack, Jeff and Amy with wife Rosalynn.)
“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” the statement, released by the Carter Center, shared. “My brothers, sister and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”
What’s Really Going On With Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood Amid Scandal?
Brooks and Yearwood’s public appearance on Thursday comes after he was accused of sexual assault and battery in an October 2024 lawsuit. A hairstylist and makeup artist, referred to as Jane Roe, alleged that Brooks raped her during a 2019 work trip and sent him sexually explicit text messages. Roe’s lawsuit also claimed that Brooks had made multiple remarks about “having a threesome” with him and Yearwood.
The country singer denied the allegations in a statement to Us Weekly at the time.
“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,” the statement read. “It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face.”
He continued, “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.”
Most Shocking Claims Made Against Garth Brooks in Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Brooks filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in November 2024, which was “denied with prejudice” the following month. The denial is, however, temporary and pending the outcome of the lawsuit Brooks preemptively filed against Roe in September. (Referring to himself as “John Doe” in the documents, Brooks alleged that Roe was attempting to extort him with false allegations.”)
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
