Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé, reacted ambiguously to the recent rape lawsuit against Jay-Z. The 70-year-old woman “liked” an Instagram post from ABC 7 Chicago News that revealed the rapper was facing a rape lawsuit. Page Six confirmed that Knowles’ verified Instagram account not only follows the news outlet but also engaged with the post in question.
Later, Knowles addressed this situation, stating that her account had been “hacked.” In an Instagram statement posted on Monday evening, she emphasized, “As you all know I do not play about my family. So if you see something uncharacteristic of me, just know that it is not me!”
Beyoncé’s mother addresses online controversy, standing firm in support of her family
She further added in her caption, “Please stop playing with me!!!! ‘No weapon formed against my family shall prosper.’” The lawsuit alleges that Jay-Z, alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs, raped a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000.
The civil lawsuit, re-filed by Texas attorney Tony Buzbee on Sunday, names the rapper, whose real name is Shawn Corey Carter, in court documents obtained by Page Six. Initially, the original complaint was filed anonymously in October, listing only Combs as a defendant.
The accuser, referred to as Jane Doe, claimed she was given a drink that caused her to feel “woozy” and “lightheaded” before she went to a bedroom to lie down. Soon after, both rappers allegedly entered the room, with Combs reportedly saying, “You are ready to party!”
According to the allegations, Jay-Z then undressed her, restrained her, and raped her while Combs and another unidentified female celebrity observed. Combs is also accused of raping her during this incident. While Knowles and Beyoncé, who married Jay-Z in 2008, have not publicly commented on the allegations, the music executive has denied them through a statement shared with Page Six.
“My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a ‘lawyer’ named Tony Buzbee,” the Grammy-winning rapper, 55, explained. “What he calculated was that the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!”
He further asserted, “These allegations are so heinous that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims deserve real justice if that were the case.”
Jay-Z expressed concern for his family, stating, “My only heartbreak is for my wife, Beyoncé, and our three children: Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Rumi and Sir, 7.” He lamented, “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, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.
I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and the human spirit.”
Jay-Z also cautioned Buzbee that he had “made a terrible error in judgment thinking that all ‘celebrities’ are the same.” “I’m not from your world,” he said. “I’m a young man who made it out of the projects of Brooklyn. We don’t play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children; you seem to exploit people for personal gain. I look forward to showing you just how different I am,” he concluded.
In response, Buzbee pushed back against Jay-Z’s “blackmail” claim in a statement via X, asserting that his client “never demanded a penny” and “only sought a confidential mediation.” The attorney contended, “Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me but has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened.”
