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Put on your smiles: Beyoncé and Jay-Z shine at premiere amid controversy surrounding new lawsuit

Beyoncé and Jay-Z made a dazzling red-carpet appearance at the world premiere of Disney’s Mufasa, a live-action prequel to The Lion King.

The event also marked a proud moment for their 12-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, who voices Kiara, the daughter of Beyoncé’s character, Nala. The family was joined by Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, completing the picture-perfect scene.

Jay-Z, Beyoncé at the “Mufasa: The Lion King” premiere at Dolby Theatre on December 09, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Matching in Gold for the Big Night

Beyoncé and Blue Ivy stole the spotlight with their coordinating gold ensembles. Beyoncé stunned in a strapless black gown adorned with metallic gold polka dots, while Blue Ivy turned heads in a shimmering voluminous gold ballgown. Tina Knowles opted for a sleek black off-the-shoulder look, accented by a dramatic gold-buckled belt, and Jay-Z kept it classic in a dark brown suit paired with a black tie.

A Cloud of Controversy

The glamorous family outing came just a day after serious allegations were leveled against Jay-Z. A lawsuit refiled over the weekend accuses the rapper, along with Sean “Diddy” Combs, of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000. The plaintiff, represented by Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee, originally filed the suit in October naming Combs but recently amended it to include Jay-Z.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, vehemently denied the allegations in a statement released by Roc Nation. He accused Buzbee of engaging in a “blackmail attempt” and expressed heartbreak for his family, saying, “My wife and I will have to sit our children down and explain the cruelty and greed of people.”

Lawyer Responds to Denial

Buzbee countered Jay-Z’s claims, stating that his client has never sought financial compensation. He accused Jay-Z of attempting to intimidate both him and the plaintiff, adding, “She is emboldened. I’m very proud of her resolve.”

The lawsuit emerges amidst ongoing sex trafficking and racketeering charges against Combs, who is currently detained in Brooklyn awaiting trial in May 2025. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

As Beyoncé and Jay-Z continue to navigate the legal storm, their appearance at Mufasa served as a moment of unity and celebration for Blue Ivy’s accomplishment, standing as a testament to the couple’s focus on family amidst personal and professional challenges.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.

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Herbert Bauernebel

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