Blake Shelton has officially filed a lawsuit against a magazine for publishing a report that erroneously stated "The Voice" coach checked into rehab following his divorce from Miranda Lambert.
Shelton is suing In Touch Weekly, in particular its parent company Bauer Media, for its Sept. 28 issue that headlined the country singer's alleged rehab stint. He is seeking no less than $2 million in damages, according to Entertainment Tonight.
The long-time "Voice" judge is suing Bauer Media for false light invasion of privacy and defamation, maintaining that he is not in rehab and has no plans of checking into one.
The controversial magazine issue did not only talk about Shelton's rehab but also how his drinking problems caused him his marriage to Lambert. The report also insinuated that the reality singing competition's judge had an intervention from people within his "close circle."
According to TMZ, Blake Shelton particularly took issue with some lines from the tabloid's report, including "Blake has hit rock bottom" and "Blake's drinking and womanizing are what helped torpedo his 4-year marriage."
In a previous issue by In Touch Weekly dated Aug. 10, the tabloid published another story about the 39-year-old singer, who allegedly had a "fling" while he and Lambert were still together. Shelton did not pursue legal actions after the magazine assured him it would not happen again.
However, following the incriminating Sept. 28 report, Shelton decided to sue the company. The legal document, which Shelton's attorney filed in Los Angeles, California, read: "Mr. Shelton, who is not a litigious person, was prepared to let the first cover go."
Stating that the magazine did not fulfill its promise to leave Shelton alone, the suit added that the singer "hereby commences this action both to set the record straight... and to recover damages for the harm Bauer has done to his reputation."
Shelton is currently on "The Voice" Season 9 and is now being linked to a fellow coach and recent divorcee, Gwen Stefani. The "No Doubt" singer is quick to dismiss any romantic gossips about her and Shelton, but she did mention that the country singer is happy just like everyone on the show is.
