Blake Shelton filed a lawsuit several weeks back against In Touch Weekly for defamation. It seems the tabloid claimed The Voice coach and country singer has a drinking problem, noting that he–among other unsavory things–even urinated on a mailbox because of said problem.
.@blakeshelton is currently in a tabloid lawsuit: https://t.co/p0CEzflfJF pic.twitter.com/65YlxDwYIt
— Taste of Country (@TasteOfCountry) March 19, 2016
In addition, the magazine alleged Blake Shelton’s drinking contributed to his split from Miranda Lambert, saying he was unfaithful to her.
TMZ obtained a sworn declaration Blake Shelton submitted to the courts on Thursday. In it he lists several points that ascertin In Touch published glaring untruths.
Wow! @blakeshelton isn't joking around this time! New info on his $2 mil tabloid lawsuit! https://t.co/0Wr5kAAjat pic.twitter.com/caqu6PMWgr
— 99.5 The Wolf (@995thewolfdfw) March 18, 2016
They are as follows:
“I have never been to rehab.”
“I did not then nor have I ever hit rock bottom.”
“I do not drink excessively, binge drink or have a drinking problem.”
“I do not drink vodka before 11 AM.”
“I am never drunk, intoxicated, or unable to perform my job on The Voice.
“I do not slur my words or stumble when I drink.”
“I have never urinated on a mailbox.”
“My ex-wife Miranda Lambert did not catch me with a bunch of naked women in our Tennessee home.”
Judy Smith is the real-life inspiration for Scandal character Olivia Pope. She is also the lawyer representing Blake Shelton in this case.
“The story was categorically false. Blake said enough is enough and decided to fight back,” she said in a recent interview with TMZ.
Kudos to Blake Shelton for hitting back at this sort of defamation. Tabloids have long gotten away with publishing complete lies about countless celebrities. These kinds of lies can damage a person’s credibility and turn fans away.
It will be interesting to learn if Blake Shelton’s case moves forward. It must pass through some hurdles before it actually heads to court, but it’s well on its way.
Blake Shelton has filed a declaration in lawsuit against "In Touch," asserts he's never urinated on a mailbox. https://t.co/YV8hrSCI0Y
— TMZ Live (@TMZLive) March 17, 2016
Fortunately Blake Shelton has Gwen Stefani by his side these days, lending her love and support to her “cowboy.”
Blake Shelton is seeking $2 million in this lawsuit.