American country music artist Bailey Zimmerman has apologised following allegations that he caused significant damage to a hotel room in New Mexico, leading to criminal charges. The incident reportedly took place at the Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque after a concert scheduled for May 27 was cancelled.
Court documents filed in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, and seen by The Independent, indicate that Zimmerman, 26, is accused of causing more than $16,000 (approximately GBP12,700) worth of damage to the room. Consequently, an arrest warrant was issued for the singer last Thursday. He faces two charges: felony criminal damage to property and a misdemeanor for falsely obtaining services.
In a statement released via TMZ, Zimmerman addressed the allegations, saying: "First things first, I want to apologize to the Pueblo of Sandia and to everyone at Sandia Resort & Casino. I never meant for any of this to come across as disrespectful. I am deeply sorry for my actions that transpired." He added, "I take full accountability for everything that happened and I am sorry to anyone who feels hurt or disrespected."
The statement also included an apology to his fans for the concert cancellation, acknowledging his responsibilities as a musician both on and off stage. Zimmerman stated he is "taking this legal matter seriously" and is "committed to doing the work necessary to learn and grow."
According to court documents, hotel staff reported that prior to the concert's cancellation, Zimmerman appeared intoxicated, was angry with his band and manager, and exhibited disruptive behaviour during soundcheck, including swinging a guitar and throwing a microphone. After returning to his room on the fifth floor, the concert was subsequently called off. Resort security later discovered the room extensively damaged, including a broken TV, phone, coffee table, a hole in the wall, and damage to the walls and carpet, with two chairs also missing. An unpaid alcohol bill of $400 (approximately GBP318) was also reported.
The 'Backup Plan' artist is a rising star in country music, having achieved significant success in the US charts. While his music is widely available for streaming in the UK on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, this incident marks a notable personal setback for the artist.