Photo: Getty Images
Bailey Zimmerman issued a public apology in response to his recent charges for allegedly trashing a hotel room in New Mexico.
Zimmerman, 26, faces one felony and one misdemeanor charge in connection with the alleged incident, which took place on May 27 at Sandia Resort & Casino Amphitheater in Albuquerque. Zimmerman is accused of causing more than $16,000 in damages.
“To the Pueblo of Sandia and my fans,” Zimmerman addressed an apology on Tuesday (June 23). “I want to address the events surrounding my canceled show in New Mexico in May and the reports that have followed. 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. I respect your community and the hospitality and appreciate the opportunity that was given to me to perform on Native Land. I take full accountability for everything that happened and I am sorry to anyone who feels hurt or disrespected.
“To my fans who bought tickets and showed up expecting a performance, I am so sorry, you deserved better from me,” Zimmerman continued. “I understand that being a musician comes with big responsibilities, both on and off stage, and I know that I fell short that day. I am reflecting on the disappointment and concern that I caused.
“I am taking this legal matter seriously,” he said. “I am committed to doing the work necessary to learn and grow. Thank you to my fans for holding me accountable and for understanding that I am human. I do not take your support for granted.”
Zimmerman cited an unspecified illness when he postponed his performance that was scheduled that evening; however, new filings state that the singer “appeared to be under the influence of alcohol,” including stumbling on stage during sound check and damaging musical equipment. Zimmerman allegedly took a guitar and struck it on the ground, threw one of the drummer’s cymbals, threw a microphone and more, according to the affidavit. After soundcheck, Zimmerman allegedly spit in the direction of a security officer and “complained about having a white SUV instead of a black SUV and initially refused to get in.” He apparently stumbled toward a closed door, rather than the open one, upon returning to the resort, was observed with a bloody knee leaning against one of his team members, and stumbling down the hallway toward his hotel room.
Officials at the resort asked the singer and his team to leave “due to the behavior he exhibited during his stay,” and gave him a deadline. Zimmerman “refused to leave” in the vehicles provided and “became disorderly.” Resort officials contacted the police, and Zimmerman eventually cooperated, according to the filing. Police escorted Zimmerman from the property. Housekeeping and security staff discovered the damaged room.
“Sandia officers located damage to a TV, a broken phone, damage to a coffee table, damage to two chairs, and two chairs missing from the room. They also located a hole in the wall, damage to other walls, and several stains on the carpet. The total amount of damage was over $16;000,” the filing states. “It was also discovered that Zimmerman had charged over $400 in alcohol to the room, and the bill was never paid. Several attempts were made by Sandia Resort and Casino staff to contact Zimmerman with no response. Sandia Police attempted phone calls and emails to his staff regarding this matter with no answer from anyone on his staff.”
Zimmerman faces one felony charge and one misdemeanor charge in connection with the incident.