Jane Doe Alleges Jay-Z, Diddy Sexually Assaulted Her After 2000 VMAs

 

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Sean Combs

Kanye West, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter attend an event together. Combs and Carter have been named in a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault in an amended complaint filed in the Southern District of New York.

Hip-hop mogul Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter has been named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit alleging he and Sean "Diddy" Combs sexually assaulted a then-thirteen-year-old girl at an afterparty following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. The allegations were added in an amended complaint filed Sunday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, initially filed her lawsuit against Combs in October, accusing him of sexual assault, racketeering, and other misconduct. In the updated filing, Doe claims that Carter, along with Combs, assaulted her in a bedroom at a party she attended after consuming a drink that left her feeling disoriented. The lawsuit alleges that a female celebrity witnessed the attack.

According to the amended complaint, Doe alleges she was incapacitated after consuming a drink provided at the party, leaving her vulnerable to assault. She accuses Carter and Combs of exploiting her incapacitated state to carry out the alleged assault. The complaint also claims that Combs’ associates were involved in facilitating the incident by isolating her from others at the event.

The lawsuit alleges that Doe’s attorneys reached out to Carter for mediation before filing the amendment. Carter reportedly responded by calling the mediation request a “blackmail attempt” and criticized Doe’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, for what he described as a pattern of “theatrics.”

“No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion,” Carter said in a statement released Sunday. “These allegations are so heinous in nature 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?”

Carter also expressed concern for the impact of the allegations on his family. “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,” Carter said. “I mourn yet another loss of innocence.”

Combs, who has denied all allegations in multiple lawsuits filed against him in recent months, has faced significant scrutiny. His legal team has described the claims as “shameless publicity stunts.” While Doe’s initial lawsuit against Combs included allegations of sexual assault and racketeering, the amended complaint introducing Carter marks the first time another high-profile celebrity has been implicated alongside him.

Doe’s amended lawsuit also accuses Carter of engaging in a campaign of intimidation and harassment to dissuade her from filing the updated complaint. The specifics of this alleged campaign include claims that Carter used intermediaries to pressure her into dropping her case, though these claims have not been independently verified.

Buzbee, who represents the plaintiff, said in a statement Saturday, “The pleading speaks for itself. This is a very serious matter that will be litigated in court.”

Carter’s statement further criticized the lawsuit, emphasizing his willingness to fight the allegations. “These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case,” he said. “But this… is not justice.”

Lizzo Cleared of Multiple Harassment Claims in Stylist's Lawsuit

Lizzo, dressed as "LizzOzempic" for Halloween in a playful nod to a 'South Park' parody. The pop star recently secured a legal victory in a harassment lawsuit. (Photo via Lizzo's official Instagram)

A California judge dismissed several claims in a harassment and discrimination lawsuit against pop star Lizzo by her former stylist, Asha Daniels, in a significant legal victory for the Grammy-winning artist.

Daniels, who worked as a wardrobe assistant on Lizzo's 2023 "Big Grrrl Big Tour," filed the lawsuit in September 2023. She alleged a "sexualized, racially charged, and illegal work environment," accusing her manager, Amanda Nomura, of physical and verbal abuse.

However, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha ruled on Monday, that many of Daniels' claims fell outside U.S. jurisdiction, as the alleged misconduct primarily took place during the European leg of the tour. "These allegations do not establish plausibly that any portion of plaintiff's claim arose from work performed in the United States or qualifying territories," the judge wrote in his ruling. Additionally, the judge found Daniels lacked sufficient evidence to support her claim for unpaid overtime.

Lizzo's attorney, Doug Weinstein, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing Lizzo's determination to fight the accusations. "There's a reason that Lizzo continues to fight long after most public figures would have settled—because these allegations are false and can't be allowed to stand," Weinstein said.

Daniels' lawsuit also described alleged derogatory remarks and wrongful termination for refusing to follow what she called "demeaning" instructions. Specific details of these instructions were not made public. The lawsuit further claimed that members of Lizzo's team made disparaging comments about the singer and other dancers.

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Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, has consistently denied the allegations. "Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations, but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous not to address," Lizzo said in a social media post.

The case is separate from another lawsuit filed in August 2023 by three former backup dancers who have accused Lizzo of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. That case remains ongoing.

While Judge Aenlle-Rocha dismissed several claims against Lizzo, her touring company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc., still faces other claims in Daniels' lawsuit. Additional legal proceedings are expected to address these remaining claims, along with the pending lawsuit by the backup dancers.

Beyoncé Tops Billboard’s List of 25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century

Beyoncé rides into new territory on the cover of her 2024 album "Cowboy Carter," showcasing her evolution as Billboard’s Greatest Pop Star of the 21st Century.

Beyoncé has been named the greatest pop star of the 21st century by Billboard. The music industry giant earned the title for her countless achievements, which include defining moments that have changed the industry, timeless releases, and her remarkable vocal and performance talents.

“Beyoncé tops our staff-chosen editorial list based on her full 25 years of influence, impact, evolution,” wrote Billboard’s Andrew Unterberger, who underscored her ability to deliver more than just music, but moments that resonate throughout pop culture.

Beyoncé, who rose to stardom in the late '90s with Destiny's Child, has forged a monumental solo career with not only chart successes but also influential cultural contributions. Billboard’s editorial staff cited her “ability to create moments” as a key reason for placing her at the top of their list of the "25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century." In their analysis, the publication emphasized that Beyoncé is “the bar against which all other pop stars this century have long been measured,” crediting her “commitment to innovation, evolution and all-around excellence.”

Beyoncé's legacy is built on her commitment to artistry, exemplified by iconic milestones like her 2013 surprise album drop that revolutionized the music industry and her headlining performance at Coachella in 2018, which became a symbol of Black cultural excellence. Her influence extends far beyond chart hits—she has been instrumental in shaping the future of music, from her role in popularizing the visual album format to her daring, genre-blending music that has sparked meaningful social conversations.

With 32 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé is the most decorated artist in Grammy history, and her influence shows no signs of waning. She received 11 nominations for her 2024 album "Cowboy Carter" and is expected to add more trophies to her collection in January.

The Houston native's presence on Billboard’s charts is equally noteworthy. As a solo artist, she has nine No. 1 singles and 24 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, while eight of her albums have claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Her journey began with her 2003 debut solo album "Dangerously In Love," which marked the start of a string of successes after already dominating the airwaves as part of Destiny’s Child.

Billboard also compiled a list of the "100 Greatest Moments" of Beyoncé's career, highlighting milestones such as her 2009 performance in the thriller "Obsessed" and her 2016 "Formation" video, which became a cultural statement on racial pride and female empowerment.

Since August, Billboard has ranked the top 25 pop artists of the last 25 years, highlighting those who have most defined pop stardom since the turn of the millennium. Last week, Taylor Swift was announced as the No. 2 pick, followed by Rihanna in the third spot. Adele, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, and Drake rounded out the top 10, with Katy Perry closing out the list at No. 25. Other pop artists recognized include Bad Bunny, The Weeknd, One Direction, Miley Cyrus, Eminem, and Usher.

Beyoncé's year has also been marked by her Renaissance World Tour, a showcase of her artistry that featured her daughter, Blue Ivy, joining her on stage—symbolizing a passing of the torch to a new generation.

Fans can read the full list of Billboard's "25 Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century" and Beyoncé's top 100 moments on Billboard's website.