Jay-Z’s past mistakes have caused a lot of public drama. His unfaithfulness to Beyoncé, his wife, has been a major topic of gossip for years. There have been rumors about other women getting in the way of their relationship, and four of them have been mentioned by name.
Despite all the rumors, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have managed to keep their marriage strong, but it hasn’t been an easy ride. Let’s take a closer look at the ups and downs of their journey together, from being a powerful couple to a powerful family.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s Love Story
Beyoncé and Jay-Z started dating in 2002. Even though they were both extremely famous, they kept their relationship mostly private. For six years, they stayed out of the public eye as a couple.
They finally got married on April 4, 2008, in a secret ceremony at Jay-Z’s penthouse in Tribeca. The wedding was so private that only close friends and family were invited. One guest later described the event as emotional and spiritual, but Jay-Z didn’t want anyone to know right away that they were married.
When someone congratulated him just days later, he laughed it off, pretending he didn’t know what they were talking about.
However, a few days later, Beyoncé was spotted wearing a huge diamond ring at one of Jay-Z’s shows in Atlanta, and people quickly figured out they had tied the knot. The couple’s deep connection was clear through their music, but as their careers grew, so did the rumors and accusations about Jay-Z’s unfaithfulness.
First Rumored Mistress: Claudia Scheelen
In November 2013, a specific woman was named in the cheating rumors. The Mirror reported that Jay-Z had been partying with a woman named Claudia Scheelen, a model who later became a retail manager.
Celebrating some bday @CocoPhilips @Sandrine013 @JessieVdBrande pic.twitter.com/bCbyQpe8
— Claudia Scheelen (@ClaudiaScheelen) July 1, 2012
They were seen together at Magic nightclub in Antwerp, where Jay-Z allegedly bought an expensive bottle of champagne. Scheelen later denied any romantic connection with the rapper. She wrote on social media, “I was shocked when I saw my name mentioned in an article about Jay Z!
Close-Up shoot summer 16 pic.twitter.com/IXaZLUagvA
— Claudia Scheelen (@ClaudiaScheelen) April 27, 2016
The tabloids have used me as a topic for something that didn’t happen!” Despite her denial, the rumors about trouble in their marriage continued to spread.
The Elevator Incident: A Turning Point
The next big moment that made headlines was the infamous elevator incident in May 2014. A video surfaced showing Solange, Beyoncé’s sister, attacking Jay-Z in an elevator after the Met Gala. Solange was seen kicking and swinging at Jay-Z while Beyoncé stood quietly by.
The footage quickly went viral. In a joint statement, the trio explained that it was a private family matter. They wrote, “Families have problems and we’re no different.”
Jay-Z and Solange both apologized to each other, and the trio assured everyone that they had moved on. Just two months later, Beyoncé and Jay-Z went on their “On the Run” tour together, showing the world that they were still united. But around this time, another woman was allegedly involved.
Second Rumored Mistress: Casey Cohen
In June 2014, rumors linked Jay-Z to reality TV star Casey Cohen, who appeared on the show Princesses: Long Island. Cohen quickly denied the rumors and even hired a lawyer to demand an apology from the tabloids.
She admitted that she had met Jay-Z and Beyoncé several times but said that their meetings were strictly professional. Despite her denial, the rumors kept coming.
Marriage Struggles: A Reported Breakup
By July 2014, rumors of their marriage falling apart were all over the tabloids. A source close to the couple claimed that they were thinking about separating, though they hadn’t made any official decisions about divorce.
There were even reports that they were seen without their wedding rings. At the time, they were also facing pressure from their “On the Run” tour, which had been planned months in advance.
It seemed like they were on the verge of splitting up, but no divorce ever came. Instead, they worked through their issues in their own way, pouring their feelings into their music.
Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” and the Mystery of Becky
In 2016, Beyoncé released her powerful and emotional album Lemonade. The album seemed to address the rumors about Jay-Z’s cheating. One of the most famous lines came from the song “Sorry,” where Beyoncé sings, “He only want me when I’m not there, He better call Becky with the good hair.”
Fans and the media immediately started speculating about who “Becky” could be.
One name that popped up was Rachel Roy, a fashion designer who had been mentioned in the media before. Roy added fuel to the fire when she posted something on social media that seemed to reference the song. She wrote, “Good hair don’t care, but we will take good lighting, for selfies, or self truths, always. Live in the light #nodramaqueens.”
The post was deleted, but the damage was done. Beyoncé’s fans quickly turned on Roy, and one fan tweeted, “Rachel Roy just became the most hated woman in the world.” Roy tried to calm things down by posting a message on Twitter, saying, “I respect love, marriages, families, and strength.
What shouldn’t be tolerated by anyone, no matter what, is bullying, of any kind.” Despite Beyoncé never officially naming anyone as “Becky,” the rumors surrounding Rachel Roy and others continued.
The ups and downs of Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s marriage have been well-documented, with many rumors and scandals coming to light over the years. However, through everything, they have managed to stay together.
They’ve faced struggles, accusations, and difficult moments, but they’ve always been able to come back stronger. Their relationship, though not perfect, has withstood the test of time.
As they continue to raise their children and build their family, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have shown that love, loyalty, and forgiveness can overcome even the most difficult challenges.
After all the rumors and drama surrounding Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s relationship, it seemed like nothing could break them apart.
One of the most talked-about rumors was about Rita Ora, a famous British singer, and the so-called “Becky” controversy. In 2016, Rita was caught up in the media frenzy after she wore a pin that said “Not Becky” to the Met Ball after-party. People started linking her to Jay-Z because of it, but Rita quickly shot down any rumors.
During an interview with Vanity Fair, she made it clear that she had no involvement with Jay-Z. She explained that the pin was actually a gift from her friend Katy Perry. “I have a huge amount of respect for both Jay-Z and Beyoncé,” Rita said.
“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.” Rita’s words helped put those rumors to rest, but the media frenzy continued. Despite everything, Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s marriage not only survived—it became stronger.
In February 2017, Beyoncé shocked everyone with the announcement that she was expecting twins. That same year, Jay-Z released his album 4:44, where he opened up about his past mistakes, including the pain he caused his wife.
In one song, titled “4:44,” he apologized, singing, “I apologize to all the women whom I toyed with your emotions, ‘Cause I was emotionless.” It was clear that Jay-Z was trying to make things right.
Jay-Z also spoke to The New York Times in 2017, opening up about the emotional toll his actions had taken on him. “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 said. “And so you walk away.”
But instead of walking away, the couple chose to work through their issues. By 2018, they had even released a joint album called Everything Is Love, showing the world that they were still a united couple.
Fast forward to 2022, and Beyoncé released her album Renaissance, which seemed to reflect their strong bond. The album’s lyrics from the song “Plastic Off the Sofa” included, “And I know nobody’s perfect, so I’ll let you be, I’ll let you be.”
Their relationship had certainly faced challenges, but they continued to grow together, proving that their love had only gotten stronger.
In 2024, Beyoncé ventured into country music, surprising fans with her version of Dolly Parton’s classic song “Jolene.” The lyrics she wrote seemed to speak to her past struggles, but also her unwavering strength.
“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 these lyrics were a reference to the past or something more, no one could say for sure. But it was clear that Beyoncé and Jay-Z were not only surviving—they were thriving.
Through all the rumors, hardships, and constant public scrutiny, Beyoncé and Jay-Z remained a power couple. They have three children together, and their eldest, Blue Ivy, was already making her own name in the entertainment world.
On December 26, 2024, during Beyoncé’s Christmas Day Halftime Show at the NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans, Blue Ivy made a huge splash.
The performance, which was streamed on Netflix, was an exciting showcase of Beyoncé’s newest album Cowboy Carter. The nearly 13-minute show featured songs like “My House” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” and Blue Ivy joined her mother on stage for the lively, high-energy performance.
Blue Ivy looked just like her mom, dressed in a matching outfit with a white corset, fringe-lined pants, heeled boots, and a diamond necklace. Beyoncé wore a silver-studded bodysuit, sparkling sequined boots, and fringe-trimmed chaps.
The two performed together in perfect harmony, wearing matching cowboy hats, which made for a beautiful family moment.
However, even though Blue Ivy’s performance reflected the close bond between mother and daughter, Jay-Z was noticeably absent from the stage. Still, the entire Carter family appeared together just days earlier at the premiere of Disney’s Mufasa, where they showed the world they were stronger than ever.
It was clear that despite everything, the Carters had remained a united front, and they were not just surviving—they were thriving in the spotlight.
Through the ups and downs, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have shown that their love, family, and music will always come first. The couple has managed to stay together, raising their children, creating amazing music, and supporting each other through thick and thin.
And even with all the rumors swirling, they continue to prove that love can conquer anything.
