‘Is That Really Him?’: Country Star Garth Brooks Sparks Fan Discussion After Performing at Jimmy Carter’s Funeral

Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, dressed in black ensembles, delivered a heartfelt rendition of the John Lennon-penned ballad, “Imagine,” at their friend’s funeral. The 62-year-old took the lead on most of the song’s lyrics during the tribute to the former president, while he and Yearwood joined voices for the chorus.

The couple brought to life the song in a harmonious way. As the performance concluded, Brooks approached Yearwood and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. His appearance at the solemn event sparked speculation among fans, with many wondering if he had made changes to his facial features or hair.

One fan couldn’t hide their shock, exclaiming, “Wait. Did he have major plastic surgery? To change his appearance maybe? He is unrecognizable.” Another chimed in with a critique, “Garth Brooks doesn’t look like Garth Brooks anymore. Amazing what too much plastic surgery will do.”

Amused by the changes, one commenter joked, “Garth Brooks, the man of many faces. I never recognize that man. Every decade he changes it 😂.” Some fans struggled to place him, with one admitting, “Almost didn’t recognize Garth.” A user with a similar sentiment wrote, “That was Garth Brooks … wow didn’t recognize him.”

Fans also speculated about his hair, with one pointing out, “Wait a minute! Garth Brooks has hair??? And is that really him? 🤔.” Another fan announced, “Garth has hair again.” Others thought they noticed signs of cosmetic procedures, “If that’s Garth Brooks, there’s been a lot of reconstructive surgery going on… Including a long stint at the hair farm.”

One user confidently observed, “Hair transplant for sure.” Meanwhile, another fan remarked with awe, “Garth Brooks got a hair transplant wow huge.” One fan added more humor to the comments, “A haircut that can only be described as ‘black aerogel.'”

While Brooks and Trisha Yearwood deeply felt the loss of their close friend, Carter, they found solace in performing his favorite song at the memorial. This was a piece they had also sung at the tribute service for Carter’s late wife, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in November 2023.

Carter had gushed about “Imagine” in a previous interview, sharing that it held a special place for him. He described it as his “favorite,” Beatles song. He noted that in various countries, including Cuba, the song had gained significance and was even embraced as an unofficial anthem in some places.

Carter also mentioned that in Havana, there is a statue of Lennon, symbolizing the song’s cultural impact. He observed that at various events, whether a folk performance, symphony concert, or modern American music gathering, “Imagine” was consistently played due to its universal appeal.

The late humanitarian enthused, “It’s one of my favorites just personally. If you listen to the lyrics closely, you’ll see that it’s against religion, it’s against national boundaries, it’s against nationalism, it’s against jingoism, but the impact it has on people is profound.”

In performing “Imagine,” Yearwood and Brooks honored their friend by celebrating a song that was deeply meaningful to him. The two had a close bond with the Carters, demonstrated by their involvement in the 2024 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Week Project.

Furthermore, they spent the former president’s 100th birthday building homes with Habitat for Humanity. The couple did this to embody the Carters’ legacy of service and commitment to the community. During this time, Carter was not in attendance as he was under hospice care at home.

Yearwood shared, “He definitely wants to know that we’re working and this is why we’re here. He has a legacy of service and he never stopped serving. He’s not physically standing here building, swinging a hammer, but we feel his presence and Ms. Rosalynn’s presence strongly.”

While many were amazed that Carter reached the age of 100, Brooks and Yearwood weren’t as surprised. They recalled how even at 90, Carter was already planning for the future. “I remember being in Haiti and he’s 90 and he’s talking about what he is going to do in the next 20 years. I am not surprised!” revealed Yearwood.

Garth Brooks also mentioned that it was deeply moving to see Carter attend his wife’s funeral. The country singers divulged that they learned valuable lessons in service and work ethics from the Carters. However, the most significant lesson was about love.

Brooks shared that the Carters’ ability to argue constructively brought them closer. He reflected on his own relationship with Yearwood and emphasized how overcoming challenges together now strengthens their bond.

Yearwood also chimed in, “And at the end of the day, we’re best friends. We actually enjoy each other’s company. I can’t imagine doing this build without [him]. I mean, we are a team and I think that’s definitely something we have learned from the Carters. They were a team.”

It is clear that Brooks and Yearwood cherished the Carters deeply. The couple will continue to honor their friends’ memory and the values they lived by.

Carter was also honored by all five living U.S. presidents — Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton — when they came together to attend his state funeral. The images from the rare and poignant evening sparked disbelief among netizens, who questioned whether the scene was real.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former vice presidents Mike Pence, Dick Cheney, and Al Gore joined the presidents at the service. Held at the Washington National Cathedral, the ceremony honored Carter’s lifelong commitment to service as the 39th president and a devoted humanitarian.

The program featured tributes, musical performances, and eulogies. Biden delivered a heartfelt tribute, focusing on Carter’s enduring “character,” which he described as the foundation of the late president’s legacy. He stressed the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect.

Biden added, “We have an obligation to give hate no safe harbor.” He also highlighted Carter’s commitment to standing against “abuse in power” and his belief in the nation’s potential.

“The very journey of our nation is a walk of sheer faith, to do the work, to be the country we say we are, to be the country we say we want to be,” Biden said, reflecting on Carter’s vision. “Today many think he was from a bygone era, but in reality he saw well into the future.”

Biden concluded his eulogy, “I miss him, but I take solace in knowing that he and Rosalynn are reunited again. To the entire Carter family, thank you — and I mean this sincerely — for sharing them both with America and the world. We love you all.”

The reunion of past and current US presidents at Carter’s funeral sparked varied online reactions. Some noted an air of discomfort.

“Is this photo shopped [sic]?” one user asked, seemingly struck by the surreal image of the five presidents together. “This picture is honestly so sad,” another noted.

For some users, the rare gathering was symbolic. “An incredible, Historic, momentary view of past and present power making a personal accounting of what Jimmy Carter was for Humanity that they also are, were …and would never be [sic],” wrote one commenter.

Others noted the significance of witnessing such an event, “We were eyewitnesses to history on so many levels today.” Another highlighted the event’s gravity and Carter’s enduring impact. One user called it a “reminder of how rare and important this gathering is in American political history.”

The heartfelt eulogies were also received with praise, with one person describing them as “awesome and heartfelt.” Another reflected on Carter’s life as “a testament to a life well lived” and expressed gratitude for his contributions.

Carter’s legacy as a humanitarian resonated deeply. One supporter emphasized his example of grace and compassion and added hope that others might follow in his footsteps.

After the state funeral, Carter returned to Georgia for the final time on January 9. He will be laid to rest in his beloved hometown of Plains, next to his wife of 77 years, who died in November 2023. The interment ceremony at their family home will be private.