An anonymous woman who had accused Jay-Z of sexually assaulting her recanted her claims Thursday evening in a legal declaration filed in New York.
In the statement, the woman said her allegations against the rapper and mogul, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, were false. "My allegations that Shawn Carter raped me or otherwise sexually assaulted me were false. I have never met Mr. Carter," she said in a declaration reviewed by multiple outlets. "Mr. Carter never engaged in any inappropriate conduct toward me whatsoever. There is no truth to any of my claims against Mr. Carter."
The woman apologized to Carter in her statement. "I understand that my false accusations have caused Mr. Carter immense pain, suffering, and damage that can never be fully undone. I sincerely and unconditionally apologize to Mr. Carter for the devastating harm I have caused to him, his family, and his reputation."
The accuser had previously claimed she was raped by Carter and Sean "Diddy" Combs while a third person watched. The initial lawsuit was filed in October 2024 and amended to include Carter in December 2024. According to the allegations, the woman claimed she had been invited to a Video Music Awards afterparty when she was a teenager.
The declaration was submitted as part of Carter's malicious prosecution lawsuit. The woman was dropped as a defendant by the Roc Nation mogul in connection with the case.