The rapper’s past indiscretions have been the subject of much public scrutiny. Several women, in and out of entertainment, have allegedly gotten in between his marriage to the “Single Ladies” singer.
Jay-Z being unfaithful to Beyoncé has been a major part of their story. Over the years, there have been many rumors and accusations, and four women in particular were mentioned by name. Let’s find out who they are and the tough journey this power couple has taken together.
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
His Relationship with Beyoncé
Beyoncé and Jay-Z started dating back in 2002. They’ve always been private people and were good at keeping their relationship out of the spotlight, even though they’re incredibly famous.
They were together for six years before marrying on April 4th, 2008. Their wedding ceremony at the rapper’s Tribeca penthouse was kept private. Only close friends and family were in attendance, and a guest described the event as deeply moving and spiritual.
Jay-Z and Beyonce during Milan Fashion Week on January 13, 2008, in Milan, Italy | Source: Getty Images
Despite this, Jay-Z didn’t want to tell anyone they had tied the knot. Three days after the wedding, he brushed off someone’s congratulations with a laugh, pretending he didn’t know what the person was talking about.
However, Beyoncé wore a huge diamond ring to Jay-Z’s show in Atlanta a few days after their secret wedding, which became one of the first public confirmations of their marriage. Eventually, the cat was out of the bag, and the couple’s deep connection was made evident through their music.
Beyonce’s ring during the “Cadillac Records” Los Angeles premiere at the Egyptian Theater on November 24, 2008, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
Unfortunately, as their fame and careers grew, controversies and scandals about their relationship emerged. Rumors about Jay-Z’s alleged infidelities and his lifestyle, which included frequent partying, put a serious strain on their marriage.
Jay-Z during the So So Def anniversary party hosted by Jay Z at Compound on February 23, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia | Source: Getty Images
His Cheating Rumors with Claudia Scheelen
In November 2013, the affair allegations named someone specifically. The Mirror reported that the rapper had been seen partying with the model, now retail manager, Claudia Scheelen in Antwerp. The pair was spotted together at Magic nightclub, where he reportedly bought a massive bottle of Ace of Spades champagne worth £5,000.
The outlet also added that Jay-Z told Scheelen that the women in Antwerp were the most beautiful he’d seen anywhere in the world. However, Scheelen later denied any romantic involvement with the rapper.
On social media, she wrote, “I was shocked when I saw my name mentioned in an article about Jay Z! The tabloids have used me as a topic for something that didn’t happen!” Despite this denial, the stories of trouble in paradise between this power couple would only worsen the following year.
His Infamous Elevator Video
In May 2014, the public was shocked when a video surfaced showing Solange, Beyoncé’s sister, attacking Jay-Z in an elevator following the Met Gala. The footage, leaked by TMZ, showed Solange angrily kicking and swinging at the rapper while Beyoncé stood by.
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 incident quickly went viral, and in a joint statement, the trio explained that the incident was a private family matter. “Families have problems and we’re no different,” they said.
Jay-Z and Solange both acknowledged their roles in the altercation and apologized to each other. Additionally, the trio made it clear that they had moved on and were united. In fact, the rapper and Beyoncé even went on their “On the Run” tour together two months later. However, it was around this time, that another rumored mistress appeared.
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
Cheating Allegations with Casey Cohen
In June 2014, the rapper was reportedly linked to reality TV star Casey Cohen by tabloids. However, Cohen, who appeared on “Princesses: Long Island,” quickly denied the allegations. She even hired a lawyer who sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding a public apology and retraction of the articles.
Cohen admitted to having met Jay-Z and Beyoncé several times but insisted that their interactions were purely professional. These encounters were related to her work as a VIP hostess in New York City. Unfortunately, one person’s word wasn’t enough to stop rumors.
His Marriage Is Reportedly Over
Only a month later, more speculation suggested that Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s marriage was ending. A source close to the couple claimed that they were considering separating, although they had not yet decided to divorce.
Divorce for them would’ve been trickier at the time as they received money from promoters for their “On the Run” tour upfront.
Beyonce Knowles, Jay-Z, and Blue Ivy Carter in New York City on December 7, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
The same source also stated that the couple was seen without their wedding rings, despite thinking that their relationship would be fixed after having a child. However, there was no official separation. Instead, they battled their feelings through music.
His Wife Releases a Controversial Song
In 2016, Beyoncé released “Lemonade,” an album filled with powerful and emotional tracks, many of which seemed to address the rumored infidelities in her marriage.
One of the album’s most infamous lines comes from the song “Sorry,” in which Beyoncé sings, “He only want me when I’m not there, He better call Becky with the good hair.” Fans and the media noticed these words immediately and wondered who “Becky” could be. Two women in particular were highlighted at this time.
His Wife’s Fans Accuse Rachel Roy
One of the people rumored to be “Becky” was fashion designer Rachel Roy. She had previously been linked to the couple in media reports and only made things worse after uploading a now-deleted post on social media. Roy wrote, “Good hair don’t care, but we will take good lighting, for selfies, or self truths, always. Live in the light #nodramaqueens.”
Naturally, many thought she was referencing the song, and the backlash from Beyoncé’s fans turned red-hot. One user wrote, “Rachel Roy just became the most hated woman in the world.“
Faced with the growing online firestorm, the fashion designer addressed the situation on Twitter. In a now-deleted X, she wrote, “I respect love, marriages, families, and strength. What shouldn’t be tolerated by anyone, no matter what, is bullying, of any kind.”
Beyoncé has never named anyone as “Becky” since the release of the song, but the speculation continued to swirl. One other woman was linked to the rapper.
His Friend Rita Ora Denies Being “Becky”
Rita Ora, a British singer who had signed with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, also became a target of the “Becky” controversy. This happened because she wore a pin with the words “Not Becky” at the Met Ball after-party in 2016.
During an interview with Vanity Fair later that year, Ora denied any involvement with Jay-Z and explained that the “Not Becky” pin was a gift from Katy Perry. The singer also talked about the huge amount of respect she has for Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
“Jay Z is my inspiration and one of my idols—lyrically, musically, business-wise. I still look up to him and his wife every day. Beyoncé was one of my biggest idols growing up,” she expressed. And despite everything that’s happened, the rapper and the “Crazy In Love” singer are still together.
His Marriage Survives
This power couple is still married to this day, but what’s more, their relationship has thrived since 2016. In February 2017, Beyoncé announced that she was expecting twins.
Later that year, Jay-Z released his album “4:44,” where he openly asked for forgiveness for his wrongdoings and acknowledged the hurt he had caused. In the eponymous song, the rapper said, “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
That same year, he was interviewed by Dean Baquet for The New York Times. During this conversation, Jay-Z opened up about the emotional toll of his actions and how they affected his marriage.
“Most people walk away… the hardest thing is seeing pain on someone’s face that you caused, and then have to deal with yourself,” he shared. “[…] And so you walk away.”
Jay Z in Manhattan on September 29, 2017, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Ultimately, the couple didn’t split, and things seemingly settled between them, at least publicly. In 2018, they even released a joint album, “Everything Is Love,” under the artist name, The Carters.
Furthermore, in 2022, Beyoncé released “Renaissance” and dedicated the project to her family and husband, which seemed to show their united front. One of the songs in the album, titled “Plastic Off the Sofa,” says, “And I know nobody’s perfect, so I’ll let you be, I’ll let you be.”
Yet, their experiences will always be part of their lives and music. In 2024, Jay-Z’s wife ventured into country music and created her version of “Jolene,” originally sung by Dolly Parton.
The lyrics say, “You’re beautiful beyond compare, takes more than beauty and seductive stares, to come between a family and a happy man. […] I raised that man, I raised his kids, I know my man better than he knows himself.”
Whether this is a reference to the past or something new, no one knows. The fact remains that the couple has held strong despite the rumors, hardships, and being under public scrutiny. They’re raising their three kids together and still producing great music.
