Jay-Z’s Rape Accuser Moves to Dismiss His Defamation Lawsuit

The woman, identified in court documents as Jane Doe, previously accused the rapper (born Shawn Carter) of sexually assaulting her in 2000, when she was 13.

The documents, obtained by People, reveal that Doe is asking a judge to dismiss Jay-Z's defamation lawsuit, which the rapper filed months after she accused him of raping her.

The woman originally filed her civil lawsuit in New York City, in October 2024, naming only Sean "Diddy" Combs, with two other celebrities' names redacted.

The suit alleged that Combs and another male celebrity raped Doe after she was driven to an MTV Music Video Awards afterparty, while a female celebrity watched.

She later amended her complaint on December 8 to name Jay-Z as one of the perpetrators. Jay-Z firmly denied the allegations, describing them as "heinous in nature."

He also accused Tony Buzbee, Doe's lawyer, of engaging in unprofessional behavior. On February 14 of this year, Doe voluntarily dropped the case.

In the motion, Doe's legal team, including Buzbee, wrote that she "hereby gives notice that the above-captioned Action is voluntarily dismissed, with prejudice." The suit cannot be refiled. Jay-Z called the dismissal a victory in a statement issued on X via Roc Nation's account.

A month later, the rapper sued Doe and her legal team for malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and civil conspiracy. He also sued Doe separately for defamation.

In her move to dismiss the case, Doe stated that the allegations in her complaint and comments to the media were "absolutely privileged" under California law and "cannot form the basis of a defamation claim."

Additionally, her complaint says that based on Jay-Z’s claims in his suit, he did not suffer any damage as a result of any potentially defamatory statements. Still, the business mogul is seeking damages; assumed, actual, and punitive.