Blake Shelton sues tabloid magazine over rehab claims

Blake Shelton is suing In Touch Weekly's publisher, Bauer Publishing Co., for defamation over a story that claims the country star was headed to rehab.

The defamation case was filed in the Los Angeles County Superior court, according to Associated Press. Sheldon is seeking US$1 million (AU$1.37 million) in damages.

Shelton’s lawyers also filed an injunction to prevent In Touch Weekly from repeating their allegations.

The tabloid magazine reportedly published a cover story in late September claiming that Shelton had a drinking problem, committed infidelity and was headed to rehab.

The tabloid magazine is said to have cited drinking and infidelity issues as reasons behind Shelton's divorce from Miranda Lambert. Shelton’s camp said that the publication went so far to say that Shelton has hit “rock bottom”.

“Blake Shelton has had enough, Mr. Shelton is not in rehab and has no plans to go to rehab. To be clear: Mr. Shelton has not hit rock bottom,” Shelton’s legal representatives said.

Shelton also slammed In Touch Weekly for publishing the disputed story without proper verification and without consulting Shelton or his representatives.

The 39-year-old singer’s representatives claimed that the country singer reached out to the publication for a retraction, but this was ignored.

The lawsuit noted that Shelton is busy with his commitment as a coach on “The “Voice US” and is working on a new hit album. In addition, Shelton is preparing to headline a tour in 2016.

In a separate interview with The Boot earlier this October, Shelton took a jab at the tabloids. “I’m good, I’m good,” Shelton said, “I’m not in rehab, I’m not ... I have to pick up a magazine every now and then to find out about my alter ego, I guess.”

In Touch Weekly magazine has not yet issued an official statement on the matter.

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