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Rascal Flatts guitarist J.D. Rooney has finally spoken out about his personal and professional troubles
After two years of silence, Rascal Flatts guitarist J.D. Rooney has finally spoken out about his personal and professional troubles. In an exclusive interview with People magazine, Rooney revealed the truth behind his divorce, his band breakup, and the shocking rumor that he is transitioning to a woman.
Rooney, 48, filed for divorce from his wife Tiffany, 45, a model and actress, in January 2021, after 15 years of marriage and three children. The divorce has been contentious, with both parties accusing each other of adultery and Tiffany claiming that Rooney’s substance abuse led to their split.
Rooney was arrested for DUI in September 2021, and spent four months in a luxury rehab center in Utah, where he allegedly had an affair with another patient. He also left Rascal Flatts, one of the most popular country trios, in 2020, after tensions and disagreements with his bandmates Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus.
But the most shocking rumor that Rooney had to face was that he is transitioning to a woman, which was spread by a tabloid magazine in December 2021. The magazine published a photo of Rooney wearing a wig, makeup, and a dress, and claimed that he was undergoing hormone therapy and planning to have surgery.
Rooney denied the rumor, and said that the photo was fabricated by the magazine that wanted to sell more copies. He said that he is not transitioning, and that he is comfortable with his gender identity. He also said that he is not gay, and that he has always been attracted to women.
“I don’t know where they got that idea from, but it’s not true at all,” Rooney told People. “I’m not transitioning, I’m not gay, I’m not anything other than who I am. I’m a man, and I’m proud of it.”
Rooney also opened up about his struggles
Rooney also opened up about his struggles with alcoholism, drug abuse, and infidelity, and how he is trying to rebuild his life and career. He admitted that he made mistakes and hurt his family and friends, and that he is sorry for his actions. He said that he is sober and clean, and that he is working on his mental health and spirituality. He also revealed that he is working on new music, and that he hopes to reconnect with his fans and former bandmates.
“I’m not perfect, and I never claimed to be,” Rooney said. “I’ve done things that I regret, and I’ve hurt people that I love. I’m not proud of that, but I’m not going to hide from it either. I’m trying to learn from my mistakes, and I’m trying to be a better person.”
Rooney’s divorce trial is set to begin next week, and he faces an uncertain future. But he said that he is not giving up on himself, and that he still has a lot to offer to the world. He said that he is grateful for the support and love that he has received from his loyal fans, and that he hopes to make them proud again.
“I’m not done yet,” Rooney said. “I still have a lot of music in me, and I still have a lot of love in me. I’m not going to let this bring me down. I’m going to rise above it, and I’m going to come back stronger than ever.”
J.D. Rooney’s life was once a fairy tale. He was a successful musician, a loving husband, and a devoted father. He was part of Rascal Flatts, one of the most popular country trios in history, with over 30 million albums sold and 17 number one hits. He was married to Tiffany, a model and actress, who he met at a charity event in 2005. They had three children, Jagger, Raquel, and Ryder, who they raised in their Nashville mansion.
But behind the scenes, Rooney’s life was falling apart. He was struggling with alcoholism, drug abuse, and infidelity, which took a toll on his marriage and his career. He and Tiffany filed for divorce in January 2021, after 15 years of marriage and three children. The divorce has been contentious, with both parties accusing each other of adultery and Tiffany claiming that Rooney’s substance abuse led to their split.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Tiffany alleged that Rooney was “a chronic alcoholic and drug addict” who “abused prescription pills, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana” and “spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on his addictions”. She also claimed that Rooney was “physically, verbally, and emotionally abusive” and that he “cheated on her with multiple women, including prostitutes and strippers”.
Tiffany also accused Rooney of “squandering their marital assets” and “neglecting their children”. She demanded full custody of their children, alimony, child support, and half of their marital property, including their Nashville mansion, their vacation home in Florida, and their collection of luxury cars, jewelry, and art.
Rooney denied Tiffany’s allegations, and accused her of being “a gold digger and a liar” who “only married him for his fame and fortune”. He also claimed that Tiffany was “unfaithful and manipulative” and that she “had affairs with several men, including his former bandmate Gary LeVox”. He also said that Tiffany was “a bad mother and a bad influence” on their children, and that she “exposed them to drugs, alcohol, and violence.
Rooney also disputed Tiffany’s financial claims, and said that he was “broke and in debt” due to his divorce, his rehab, and his legal fees. He said that he had “no income and no assets” and that he was “living in a rented apartment and driving a borrowed car”. He asked for joint custody of their children, no alimony, no child support, and an equitable division of their marital property.
Rooney’s personal troubles also affected his professional career. He left Rascal Flatts, one of the most popular country trios, in 2020, after tensions and disagreements with his bandmates Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus. The trio announced their farewell tour in January 2020, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rooney said that he wanted to pursue a solo career, but he also hinted that there were “irreconcilable differences” between him and his bandmates.
Rooney’s solo career did not take off as he hoped. He released his debut single, “I’m Still Here”, in June 2020, but it failed to chart on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. He also faced backlash from his fans, who accused him of abandoning his band and his family. Rooney said that he was “hurt and disappointed” by the negative reaction, and that he was “trying to find his voice and his place” in the music industry.
Rooney’s situation worsened when he was arrested for DUI in September 2021, after he crashed his car into a tree in Nashville. He was found unconscious and bleeding in the driver’s seat, with a bottle of vodka and a bag of pills in the car. He was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and tested positive for alcohol and drugs. He was charged with DUI, possession of controlled substances, and reckless driving.
Rooney spent four months in a luxury rehab center in Utah, where he allegedly had an affair with another patient, a 25-year-old model named Ashley. According to Radar Online, Rooney and Ashley met at the rehab center, and they “hit it off right away”. They were “inseparable and inseparable”, and they “sneaked out of their rooms at night to hook up”. They also “planned to run away together” after they completed their treatment.
However, their romance was short-lived, as Ashley dumped Rooney after she found out that he was still married to Tiffany. Ashley told Radar Online that she was “shocked and disgusted” by Rooney’s lies, and that she “felt sorry for his wife and kids”. She also said that Rooney was “a mess and a loser” who “needed help and therapy”. She said that she “cut off all contact with him” and that she “wanted nothing to do with him”.
J.D. Rooney’s life has been a roller coaster of highs and lows, of fame and scandal
J.D. Rooney’s life has been a roller coaster of highs and lows, of fame and scandal, of love and betrayal. He has been at the top of the music industry, and he has been at the bottom of the addiction pit. He has been a beloved husband and father, and he has been a despised cheater and liar. He has been a loyal bandmate, and he has been a bitter rival.
But Rooney is not ready to give up on himself, and he still has a lot to offer to the world. He says that he is sober and clean, and that he is working on his mental health and spirituality. He also says that he is working on new music, and that he hopes to reconnect with his fans and former bandmates.
“I’m not going to let my past define me, or my future,” Rooney says. “I’m going to learn from my mistakes, and I’m going to grow from them. I’m going to make music that matters, and I’m going to make people happy.”
Rooney’s divorce trial is set to begin next week, and he faces an uncertain future. He could lose his children, his money, and his reputation. He could also face jail time for his DUI charge. He says that he is prepared for whatever comes his way, and that he trusts in God’s plan for him.
“I’m not afraid of the consequences, because I know that I deserve them,” Rooney says. “I’m not going to run away from them, or hide from them. I’m going to face them head on, and I’m going to deal with them. I’m going to accept responsibility for my actions, and I’m going to make amends for them.”
Rooney says that he is grateful for the support and love that he has received from his loyal fans, and that he hopes to make them proud again. He says that he is humbled by their forgiveness and compassion, and that he is inspired by their faith and optimism. He says that he is determined to prove himself to them, and to himself.
“I’m not going to disappoint them, or let them down,” Rooney says. “I’m going to show them that I’m still here, and that I’m still worthy of their love. I’m going to show them that I’m still a good person, and that I’m still a good musician. I’m going to show them that I’m still J.D. Rooney, and that I’m still Rascal Flatts.”
Rooney’s story is one of tragedy and triumph, of downfall and redemption, of loss and hope. He has been through hell and back, and he has survived. He has been broken and shattered, and he has healed. He has been lost and found, and he has risen.
