Rapper and music mogul Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, has vehemently denied accusations in a civil lawsuit claiming he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 2000, along with Sean “Diddy” Combs. Jay-Z responded publicly to the charges, which were brought by a woman, referred to as Jane Doe, in a legal filing in New York federal court.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Jay-Z expressed his heartbreak over the impact of the allegations on his family, which includes his wife Beyoncé and their three children: 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy and 7-year-old twins Rumi and Sir. “My only heartbreak is for my family,” he stated. “My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims.”
Jay-Z further lamented the loss of innocence in light of the allegations, emphasizing the difficulty of explaining such “cruelty and greed” to his children. He also strongly denied the charges, calling them a “blackmail attempt.”
The lawsuit alleges that the woman, Jane Doe, was sexually assaulted after being driven to an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000. She claims she was raped by Combs and Jay-Z at a New York City residence, with an unnamed female celebrity reportedly witnessing the incident. The accuser is seeking unspecified damages.
Combs, who is currently in federal prison facing sex trafficking and racketeering charges, has also denied the accusations. His legal team dismissed the lawsuit as a “shameless publicity stunt,” asserting that the truth will come out in court, where Combs maintains his innocence.
Jay-Z, in his statement, challenged the credibility of the claims, urging the accuser to file a criminal complaint, insisting that such heinous allegations should be treated as criminal matters. He stressed his belief in justice, stating that those who harm minors should face real consequences.
The lawsuit has drawn significant attention, with Jay-Z’s defiant stance indicating that he intends to fight the allegations publicly and legally. Jane Doe’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, has indicated that the case will be litigated in court, with the severity of the matter to be fully addressed in the judicial process.