The anonymous woman who accused Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs of raping her at 13 in 2000 is now acknowledging her charges were inconsistent. The Alabama lady told NBC News Friday that she made some mistakes about the "catastrophic event" during a home party after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. Three contradictions in her narrative of that evening were revealed in the interview.
In a legal document acquired by Page Six, Jay-Z's attorney moved to accelerate the case's dismissal.
Friday night, lawyer Alex Spiro urged the judge to reduce the case dismissal filing date from 21 to one. According to the letter to the New York court, "today's stunning public disclosures and severe ongoing harm to Mr. Carter's reputation" prompted the request.
The unnamed lady, known as Jane Doe in court records acquired by Page Six, told NBC News that her father picked her up after the alleged rape. But her dad said he doesn't remember. However, the alleged victim maintained her recollection and said her father had trouble recalling that time.
She also said she chatted with Benji Madden at the afterparty. During the alleged event, the Good Charlotte frontman and his brother, Joel Madden, were touring halfway across the nation, according to a spokesman.
"Honestly, what is the clearest is what happened to me and the route that I took to what happened to me. Not all of the faces there are as clear," the woman told the outlet about some of the blurriness of her claims. "So I have made some mistakes. I may have made a mistake in identifying."
Photos from the night show Jay-Z and Combs, 55, at a place not described by the victim.
After the 2000 VMAs, NBC News received and studied images of the longtime friends at Lotus nightclub, but the woman's attorney, Tony Buzbee, said she did not say the assault occurred there.
"We have attempted to confirm the correct location. We have never suggested the location was the Lotus club," Buzbee told NBC News. "Our client has been very specific and detailed about the description of the venue she says she was taken to, and she has never stated it was the Lotus Club."
Despite memory issues, the accuser maintained her charges. But over the weekend, the lady added Jay-Z to her October complaint, which solely listed Combs.
Despite scores of legal complaints claiming sexual assault, rape, sex trafficking, and more, Combs' representatives have maintained his innocence.
In a Friday response to Page Six, Shawn Carter, aka Jay-Z, disputed the rape charges and praised Doe for admitting errors. The "Empire State of Mind" hitmaker also said, "We fight FROM victory, not FOR victory. This was over before it began. This 1-800 lawyer doesn't realize it yet, but, soon."
Jay-Z told Page Six this week that Buzbee's lawsuit was a "blackmail attempt." Texas attorney Buzbee represents over 120 men and women who allege Combs sexually abused them. In response, the lawyer tweeted that his firm "sent Jay-Z's lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim, and that victim never demanded a penny from him."
Jane Doe doesn't regret coming up despite Jay-Z and Combs' fierce defense, hoping she could inspire other victims to come forward.
The controversy surrounding the allegations has ignited intense reactions across social media platforms. On X, users have been vocal about their conflicting opinions on the case, with some questioning the credibility of the accuser while others support her decision to come forward. One user expressed disbelief at the situation, writing, "Can't believe this is happening. If she's lying, it's a huge disservice to real victims. #JusticeForAll." The comment highlights the potential harm that false accusations can cause to the broader movement for justice.
Meanwhile, other X users have voiced skepticism about the validity of the case, with some suggesting the allegations are unraveling. Another follower posted, "This feels like it's falling apart. Can't see how they win now. #JayZ #Diddy #FameDrama," suggesting that the inconsistencies in the accuser's story are weakening her position. Another user chimed in with concerns about the inconsistencies, stating, "I'm all for victims speaking out, but this is starting to sound like a mess. Too many inconsistencies. #Justice?" These comments reflect a growing uncertainty about the credibility of the accusations.
However, not all reactions have been critical of the accuser. Some users have expressed support for victims speaking out, despite the ambiguity surrounding the details of the case. A netizen commented, "The truth is murky, but I hope this doesn't stop others from speaking out. #Survivor #MeToo," emphasizing the importance of giving victims a platform, regardless of the challenges they face. Meanwhile, another user raised the possibility of a larger investigation, questioning whether the case could be part of a broader PR strategy: "I wonder if this will lead to a bigger investigation or if it's just a PR stunt. #HollywoodSecrets."
Business Times has reached out to Jay-Z for additional comments.
