A woman who previously brought sexual assault allegations against Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has formally recanted her claims. In a sworn 11-page declaration, the accuser—who had identified herself as Jane Doe in court filings—stated definitively that she had never met or communicated with the artist, and that no such assault occurred.
“Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter never raped me,” she wrote in the document. “I have never met or spoken to Mr. Carter. Mr. Carter never engaged in any inappropriate conduct toward me whatsoever.” The woman further acknowledged the harm caused by her previous statements, noting, “I understand my false accusations have caused Mr. Carter immense pain, suffering, and damage that can never be fully undone.” She asserted that she did not receive payment to issue this retraction.
The legal saga began in late 2024 when the woman filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging that a sexual assault occurred at a 2000 VMAs after-party. She later amended the complaint to name Jay-Z as a co-assailant. Both men have consistently and categorically denied the accusations throughout the proceedings.
In February 2025, the accuser moved to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice, preventing her from refiling the same claims. Despite the dismissal, Jay-Z has continued his own legal action against the woman and her attorney, Tony Buzbee, as well as Buzbee’s firm, citing defamation and malicious prosecution. Reports indicate that the accuser had previously informed private investigators that she was pressured by her legal representation to fabricate the allegations against Jay-Z in an effort to bolster her case against Combs.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, we encourage you to reach out for support:
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
https://rainn.org
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line
SMS: Text “HELLO” or “HOLA” to 741-741