Garth Brooks Called Trisha Yearwood His ‘Partner in Good Times’ and ‘Bad’ Days Before Fighting Alleged ‘Extortion’ Attempt

• On Oct. 1, Garth Brooks opened up to PEOPLE about going through “the bad times” with wife Trisha Yearwood — and how it makes their relationship stronger
• The country singer was sued by his former hairstylist and makeup artist on Oct. 3, who claims he sexually assaulted her
• Brooks denied the allegations and said he does not “fear the truth”

Days before country star Garth Brooks was sued by a former employee alleging rape and sexual assault — which he claims was an extortion attempt — he opened up about his strong marriage with Trisha Yearwood.

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the “Friends in Low Places” singer caught up with PEOPLE in light of Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, which he spent with Yearwood in St. Paul, Minnesota for the 2024 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Week Project.

“My favorite thing about getting to be Ms. Yearwood’s partner is the good times, but also going through the bad times together because that makes you one and it tests your mettle,” Brooks, 62, said of Yearwood, whom he married in 2005.

He continued, “But what you find out is you have a love that’s going to last beyond this lifetime. I found her in the last life. I’ll find her in the next one.”

Yearwood also weighed in and said that their friendship is what keeps their marriage alive.

“At the end of the day, we’re best friends. We actually enjoy each other’s company,” she Yearwood, 60, shared.

“People always ask us when we’re on tour together, ‘You’re with your husband all the time, how is that?’ I’m like, ‘We actually enjoy each other’s company and I can’t imagine doing this build without you.'”

On Thursday, Oct. 3, a lawsuit was filed against the “Much Too Young” singer accusing him of sexual assault and battery by his former hairstylist and makeup artist, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE.

In the complaint, the “Jane Roe” alleges that he raped her, exposed his genitals and buttocks, spoke openly about sex and related fantasies, changed clothes in her presence and sent sexually explicit text messages to her throughout 2019.

Brooks denied the allegations in a statement obtained by PEOPLE: “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.”

“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,” the “If Tomorrow Never Comes” singer continued. “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 added, “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.”

In September, Brooks filed a complaint anonymously under “John Doe” and denied the claims in attempt to block the allegations from going public, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE. In the complaint, Doe accused the woman of being a “lying extortionist.”

After the allegations came to light, Brooks posted an emotional message on Instagram after performing at his residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which is scheduled to run until early 2025.

“If there was ever a night that I really needed this, TONIGHT was that night! Thank you for my life!!!!! Love, g,” Brooks wrote as he shared a photo of himself onstage in front of a sold-out crowd.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.