A woman has come forward with accusations against rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs, claiming that they sexually assaulted her when she was only 13 during an after-party following an awards show. As she reflected on her experiences, she admitted to some inconsistencies in her account, while her legal representative stated they would continue to investigate the validity of her claims.
According to the unidentified woman, she traveled from Rochester, New York, to New York City for the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000. She alleged that after the event, Diddy’s limousine driver offered her a ride to the after-party. At the gathering, she claimed to have interacted with musicians Benji Madden and his brother, and she also reported that her father picked her up following the event.
However, a representative for the Maddens confirmed to NBC that they were on tour in the Midwest during the time of the VMAs, which contradicts the woman’s statement. Additionally, her father has expressed that he does not recall the extended five-hour drive home. The friend who reportedly transported her to the awards show has passed away, further complicating her narrative.
Initially, she filed a lawsuit against Combs, asserting that she was raped at the aforementioned after-party. Recently, she added to her claims by including Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, stating that he participated in the assault as well. In response, Jay-Z issued a statement asserting that the claims are false and calling out the personal injury lawyer, Tony Buzbee, for pursuing a case for financial gain and notoriety.
Jay-Z expressed his confidence in his position, stating that the incident did not occur and emphasizing the need for true justice. He signaled that the case is destined to fail promptly. Buzbee, on the other hand, informed the media that his legal team would investigate any new allegations thoroughly as they come to light.
Jay-Z’s attorney, Alex Spiro, has requested the court to dismiss the lawsuit, criticizing Buzbee for filing such serious allegations without adequate verification of facts and for disseminating these allegations to the media.
While the woman acknowledged having made “some mistakes” in recalling the events of that night, she reiterated her belief in the validity of her accusations. Combs’ attorney, Teny R. Geragos, pointed to a recent statement from Buzbee in which he claimed that over 50 individuals falsely identified themselves as victims; Geragos suggested that this recent development indicates a troubling pattern within Buzbee’s legal practice.
This litigation is part of a larger series of sexual assault cases against Combs, who is currently detained in New York facing federal sex trafficking charges. The woman’s claims detail that while in Diddy’s limousine, she was allegedly asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement. She further claimed that upon attending the party, she consumed a drink that left her feeling disoriented, leading her to seek rest in a bedroom.
According to her, Combs and Jay-Z, alongside another unnamed celebrity, subsequently entered the room and assaulted her. The woman stated she ultimately managed to escape, fleeing to a nearby gas station to call for help.
Additionally, Jay-Z filed a lawsuit against Buzbee last month, alleging that the attorney was attempting to extort him through threats to disclose the rape allegations unless a settlement was reached. Jay-Z emphasized that the legal tactic backfired, raising questions about Buzbee’s intentions.
Buzbee has repeatedly dismissed the notion of attempting to extort Jay-Z as baseless, stating that his correspondence aimed to initiate confidential mediation regarding the case.
In a press conference earlier, Buzbee shared that he represents around 120 individuals with various claims of sexual misconduct against Combs. His firm has actively launched a series of lawsuits against the hip-hop icon, who has been denied bail multiple times and has pleaded not guilty to the charges of coercion and abuse. He is expected to face trial in May.
Jay-Z and Combs belong to a prominent cohort of hip-hop figures that gained fame in the 2000s, both establishing themselves as successful entrepreneurs and ranking among the wealthiest rappers globally. Forbes recently valued Jay-Z’s net worth at approximately $2.5 billion.
The two artists have collaborated historically, with Jay-Z featuring on Combs’ debut album, “No Way Out,” and Combs appearing on Jay-Z’s sophomore work, “In My Lifetime, Vol. 1.” Although often seen together at various events, they also experienced moments of business rivalry, with Diddy launching Bad Boy Records around the same timeframe that Jay-Z founded Roc-A-Fella Records.
