Beyoncé Vets Artists & Producers For Any ‘MeToo’ Allegations After ‘Drunk In Love’ Collaborator’s Arrest

With the Renaissance album right around the corner, Beyoncé isn’t taking any chances when it comes to who’s allowed in her inner circle. In 2020, former collaborator Detail, who worked on the singer’s 2013 hit “Drunk In Love,” was arrested on 15 counts of sexual assault. According to The Sun, a source said Beyoncé was “devastated” by the allegations. Consequently, she makes sure nobody in her camp is potentially problematic.

“She stopped working with him and her team now run #MeToo checks on any potential collaborators,” the source said. “Two songs from high-profile artists have been rejected because of alleg­ations they are facing. Although neither has been found guilty, she’s sending a clear message to the industry in the wake of troubling cases from people like R. Kelly and Harvey Weinstein.”

While some people apparently find this practice to be extreme, the source added Beyoncé doesn’t want any kind of abuse or harassment to be “normalized” and simply “doesn’t care” about what anyone thinks.

Detail was charged with raping five women and sexually assaulting a sixth between 2010 and 2018. The musician (born Noel Fisher) has denied all allegations and, of course, has no part in Renaissance. He’s currently being held on $6.9 million bail.

Still working since yesterday #lifestyle #producer #detail pic.twitter.com/93lE4H8RAg

— NOEL (@detail) January 19, 2017

In 2019, model and aspiring singer Kristina Buch was awarded $15 million in a Los Angeles lawsuit accusing Detail of abuse and rape after he nor his attorney responded to the summons or any other filed documents. The lawsuit reportedly stated Detail participated in multiple sex crimes against Buch, including sexual harassment, sexual battery, assault, gender violence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Detail allegedly became “controlling and verbally abusive” toward Buch, telling her she needed to have sex with him and others to “get ahead in the music industry.” He also allegedly called her a “dumb white bitch.” Buch’s allegations became public in 2018, prompting op singers Bebe Rexha and Jessie Reyez to confess Detail inappropriately approached them as well.

“One night, over 6 years ago Noel ‘Detail’ Fisher tried this on me,” Reyez tweeted at the time. “I was lucky and I got out before it got to this. I didn’t know what to say or who to tell. I was scared. Fear is a real thing. The girls that came out are brave as hell.”

One night, over 6 years ago Noel ‘Detail’ Fisher tried this on me. I was lucky and I got out before it got to this. I didn’t know what to say or who to tell. I was scared. Fear is a real thing. The girls that came out are brave as hell. https://t.co/EiudYeBNuT

— Here to do great thingsbich (@Jessiereyez) May 10, 2018

Detail won a Grammy at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in the Best R&B Song category for co-writing the Beyoncé and JAY-Z hit “Drunk in Love.” The 43-year-old is also behind Ray J’s “Sexy Can I,” Akon’s “I’m So Paid,” Lil Wayne’s “How to Love,” Beyoncé’s “711” and Wiz Khalifa’s “We Dem Boyz,” among others.

As for Renaissance, the project is expected to arrive on July 29. Check out the lead single “Break My Soul” below.