The rapper’s past missteps have often been under the spotlight. Multiple women—both within the entertainment world and beyond—have allegedly come between his marriage to the iconic “Single Ladies” star.
Jay-Z’s infidelity has been a defining chapter in his relationship with Beyoncé. Over time, countless rumors and claims surfaced, with four women in particular named publicly. Let’s take a closer look at who these women were—and the emotional path the singer and rapper have walked, growing from a high-profile couple into a strong, united family force.
Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Blue Ivy Carter during the “Mufasa: The Lion King” premiere at Dolby Theatre on December 09, 2024 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
His Connection with Beyoncé
Jay-Z and Beyoncé began their romance in 2002 and have remained a couple ever since. Known for valuing their privacy, they’ve consistently kept their love life away from public view—no small feat considering their global fame.
Beyonce and Jay-Z during the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at FNB Stadium on December 2, 2018, in Johannesburg, South Africa | Source: Getty Images
The couple spent six years together before tying the knot on April 4th, 2008. Their intimate wedding took place at the rapper’s Tribeca penthouse. Only their nearest and dearest were invited, and one attendee described the ceremony as an emotional and soulful experience that reflected the depth of their bond.
Jay-Z and Beyonce during Milan Fashion Week on January 13, 2008, in Milan, Italy | Source: Getty Images
Even so, Jay-Z wasn’t eager to share the news of their marriage. Just three days after the ceremony, he laughed off a congratulatory comment, acting as if he had no idea what the person meant.
But when Beyoncé showed up to Jay-Z’s Atlanta concert wearing a massive diamond ring just days after their hush-hush wedding, it served as one of the first clear signs they had tied the knot. Eventually, the secret slipped out, and their powerful bond became unmistakable through the music they created together.
Beyonce’s ring during the “Cadillac Records” Los Angeles premiere at the Egyptian Theater on November 24, 2008, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
Sadly, as their success and public profiles expanded, so did whispers of trouble in their relationship. Speculation around Jay-Z’s rumored affairs—occasionally involving other celebrities—and his party-heavy lifestyle began to surface, creating real tension in their marriage and testing the strength of their once seemingly unshakable bond.
Rita Ora during The Fashion Awards 2023 Presented by Pandora at the Royal Albert Hall on December 04, 2023, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
First Alleged Mistress: Claudia Scheelen
In November 2013, cheating rumors took a more specific turn. The Mirror reported that the rapper was seen out partying with Belgian model-turned-retail manager Claudia Scheelen in Antwerp. The two were spotted at Magic nightclub, where Jay-Z allegedly splurged on a giant bottle of Ace of Spades champagne priced at £5,000.
The publication also claimed Jay-Z complimented Scheelen, saying the women in Antwerp were the most stunning he’d encountered anywhere. Scheelen, however, later rejected the rumors of a fling.
On social media, she posted, “I was stunned to see my name in a Jay-Z article! The tabloids used me for drama that never even happened!” Still, despite her denial, speculation about cracks in the superstar couple’s marriage continued to grow into the next year.
The Notorious Elevator Incident
In May 2014, the internet exploded after a surveillance video emerged showing Solange, Beyoncé’s sister, physically confronting Jay-Z in an elevator after the Met Gala. The clip, leaked by TMZ, captured Solange furiously kicking and hitting the rapper as Beyoncé watched silently, sparking endless speculation about what had really happened.
Solange, Beyonce and Jay Z during the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards – Audience at Radio City Music Hall in New York City | Source: Getty Images
The footage went viral almost instantly, prompting the trio to release a joint statement addressing the matter as a private family issue. “Like any family, we have our disagreements,” they said.
Both Jay-Z and Solange took accountability for their part in the altercation and offered mutual apologies. They also emphasized that the situation had been resolved and that their bond remained intact. Just two months later, Jay-Z and Beyoncé hit the stage together for their On the Run tour. Still, during that same period, whispers of yet another rumored affair began to circulate.
Alan Ferguson, Solange Knowles, Jay Z, and Blue Ivy Carter during the 59th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 12, 2017, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Second Alleged Affair: Casey Cohen
Back in June 2014, gossip columns claimed the rapper was romantically connected to reality star Casey Cohen. Known from her stint on Princesses: Long Island, Cohen swiftly shot down the rumors. She even brought in legal support, having a cease-and-desist letter sent that called for a public apology and removal of the false reports.
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Cohen acknowledged having crossed paths with Jay-Z and Beyoncé multiple times but stressed that their interactions were strictly business-related. Her role as a VIP hostess in New York City had brought her into contact with them. Still, despite her clarification, one statement wasn’t enough to silence the growing wave of speculation and gossip.
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Reports Claim the Marriage Was Falling Apart
Just a month later, new rumors surfaced claiming that Jay-Z and Beyoncé were heading for a split. An insider close to the pair revealed they were weighing the option of separating but hadn’t committed to a divorce.
Ending their marriage then would’ve been complicated, as the couple had already received advance payments from promoters for their On the Run tour.
Beyonce Knowles, Jay-Z, and Blue Ivy Carter in New York City on December 7, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
That same insider mentioned the pair had been spotted without their wedding bands, even though many believed having a child would mend their bond. Still, there was never a formal split. Instead, they channeled their emotions and struggles into their music.
His Wife Drops a Bold Track
In 2016, Beyoncé unveiled Lemonade, a deeply personal album packed with raw, emotional songs—many of which appeared to touch on the rumored betrayals within her marriage.
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One of the most talked-about lyrics from the album appears in the track “Sorry,” where Beyoncé pointedly sings, “He only want me when I’m not there, He better call Becky with the good hair.” The line sparked instant buzz among fans and media alike, fueling curiosity about the identity of “Becky.” During this period, two specific women came under the spotlight.
Third Alleged Mistress: Rachel Roy
Fashion designer Rachel Roy was one of the women rumored to be the mysterious “Becky.” She had been linked to the couple in past tabloid reports, but things escalated after she shared a now-deleted social media post. Roy wrote, “Good hair don’t care, but we love good lighting—for selfies or self-truths. Always choose to shine. #nodramaqueens,” further fueling public speculation.
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Unsurprisingly, many assumed she was throwing shade with a reference to the song, and the reaction from Beyoncé’s fanbase was swift and intense. One person even commented, “Rachel Roy just became the most hated woman on Earth.”
As the online outrage grew, the designer took to Twitter to respond. In a now-deleted post, she wrote, “I value love, commitment, family, and resilience. But what no one should ever accept—under any circumstance—is bullying in any form.”
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Since the song’s debut, Beyoncé has never revealed who “Becky” really is—but the rumors haven’t died down. Another woman found herself connected to the rapper.
Fourth Alleged Affair: Rita Ora
Rita Ora, a British pop star signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, was pulled into the “Becky” buzz. The speculation spiked after she wore a pin reading “Not Becky” at the 2016 Met Gala after-party.
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In a Vanity Fair interview later that year, Ora shut down rumors linking her to Jay-Z and clarified that the “Not Becky” pin she wore was actually a playful gift from Katy Perry. She also expressed deep admiration for both Jay-Z and Beyoncé, emphasizing the respect she holds for them as artists and individuals.
Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Rita Ora during The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the STAPLES Center on February 8, 2015, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
“Jay-Z has always been a role model to me—his lyrics, his music, his business mindset. I continue to admire both him and his wife every single day. Beyoncé was one of my greatest inspirations as a kid,” she shared. And in spite of all the drama, the rapper and the Crazy In Love singer remain a couple.
Jay-Z and Rita Ora attend the Roc Nation Pre-GRAMMY Brunch Presented by MAC Viva Glam at Private Residence on January 25, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Their Marriage Endures
Despite the turbulence, this iconic duo remains together—and stronger than ever. Since 2016, their bond has only deepened. In February 2017, Beyoncé joyfully revealed to the world that she was pregnant with twins.
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Later that same year, Jay-Z dropped his album 4:44, where he candidly owned up to his mistakes and sought forgiveness for the pain he’d inflicted. In the title track, the rapper admitted, “I apologize to all the women whom I toyed with your emotions, ‘Cause I was emotionless.”
Jay-Z during his “4:44 Tour” at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on December 2, 2017, in Uniondale, New York | Source: Getty Images
Later that same year, Jay-Z sat down with Dean Baquet for an interview with The New York Times. During their conversation, he reflected on the emotional weight of his past mistakes and their impact on his marriage.
“Most people just leave… the hardest part is witnessing the hurt you caused in someone’s eyes—and then facing yourself,” he admitted. “[…] So, you walk away.”
Jay Z in Manhattan on September 29, 2017, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
In the end, the two never parted ways, and their relationship appeared to stabilize—at least in the public eye. By 2018, they even teamed up on a collaborative album called Everything Is Love, released under their shared name, The Carters.
Then in 2022, Beyoncé dropped Renaissance, dedicating the album to her loved ones and Jay-Z—a clear signal of their continued bond. In one track, Plastic Off the Sofa, she sings, “And I know nobody’s perfect, so I’ll let you be, I’ll let you be.”
Still, their shared journey continues to shape both their lives and their art. In 2024, Beyoncé took a bold step into country music with her rendition of “Jolene,” a classic originally sung by Dolly Parton.
In her version, she sings, “You’re stunning, that’s true, but it takes more than looks and tempting moves to tear apart a home and a faithful man. […] I molded that man, raised his kids—I know him better than he knows himself.”
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Whether it hints at old wounds or signals something new, no one can say for sure. What’s clear is that this couple has remained united through whispers, challenges, and life in the spotlight. Together, they’re raising three children and continuing to create impactful music. And now, their oldest daughter is stepping into the spotlight as a star in her own right.
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A Family of Stars
On December 26, 2024, Beyoncé turned her Christmas Day Halftime Show into a memorable family moment when Blue Ivy Carter stole the spotlight.
The performance took place during the NFL matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, streamed on Netflix. Beyoncé lit up the stage with an electrifying 13-minute set featuring tracks from her latest album, Cowboy Carter.
Beyoncé performs with daughter, Blue Ivy, during halftime for the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 25, 2024, in Houston, Texas | Source: Getty Images
Her now 13-year-old daughter joined her on stage for performances of My House and Texas Hold ‘Em. The show was a high-energy display, complete with a marching band and synchronized choreography alongside a vibrant dance crew.
Blue Ivy’s outfit mirrored Beyoncé’s glitzy Western vibe—she wore a white corset, fringed pants, heeled boots, and a shimmering diamond necklace. A red, white, and blue sash reading “Cowboy Carter” draped across her. Beyoncé herself rocked a silver-studded bodysuit, fringe-detailed chaps, and glittering sequin boots. Both topped off their ensembles with white cowboy hats.
While the touching moment between Beyoncé and Blue Ivy captured hearts, Jay-Z’s absence from the show didn’t escape notice. Still, just days earlier, the entire family made a public appearance at the premiere of Disney’s Mufasa, showcasing a strong family unit and reinforcing their place as a powerhouse presence in the world of entertainment.
