For over a decade, the grainy CCTV footage of Solange Knowles physically attacking her brother-in-law Jay-Z in a lift has remained one of pop culture's most enduring mysteries. The explosive 2014 incident, occurring after a Met Gala afterparty, ripped apart the pristine public image of music's first couple, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and spawned endless speculation.
The Designer's Exclusive Account
Now, 11 years later, fashion designer Oscar G. Lopez has provided a startling new explanation. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, the 52-year-old designer claims the altercation was triggered by a seemingly innocuous compliment. Lopez, who designed the black lace gown worn by Rachel Roy to the 2014 Met Gala, alleges that Jay-Z was taken aback by the dress and paid Roy a compliment.
"I think that Jay complimented her about the gown and Beyoncé's sister felt that it was not proper, so it was a kind of a drama there," Lopez stated. This perceived breach of etiquette, he suggests, was the catalyst for the violent confrontation that was soon to be captured on camera.
The Infamous Footage and Immediate Fallout
The shocking video showed Solange, then 27 and dressed in a sherbet orange Phillip Lim gown, aggressively shoving the '99 Problems' rapper into a corner of the elevator as security scrambled to restrain her. Beyoncé, wearing an intricate black Givenchy Haute Couture gown, was seen exchanging words but did not physically intervene.
The scandal dominated global headlines. Lopez, whose design for Roy was suddenly thrust into the media storm, saw an unexpected silver lining. "Any press is good press," he remarked. "It's good that people talk about you... Sometimes you benefit from a scandal, not even being part of it in a very direct way. Let's just call it collateral damage."
Jay-Z and Solange swiftly issued a joint statement to the Associated Press, announcing they had "apologised to each other" and moved forward as a "united family."
Broader Context and Lasting Rumours
The incident fuelled long-standing rumours about tension within the Carter-Knowles family. Many theories centred on Jay-Z's alleged infidelity, with fashion designer Rachel Roy frequently named. Roy, then 40, had a history with the rapper's circle, having been married to his former business partner Damon Dash and previously serving as creative director for Rocawear's women's and children's lines.
Speculation intensified in 2016 when Beyoncé released her album Lemonade, which included the song Sorry and referenced a mistress as "Becky with the good hair." Fans immediately linked the lyric to Roy, known for her brunette locks. Roy later stoked the fire with an Instagram post captioned "Good hair don't care," though she claimed her comment was misunderstood.
Jay-Z has since alluded to being unfaithful in his music and interviews, notably telling David Letterman in 2018 about undergoing therapy and the "hard work" required to save his marriage.
Meanwhile, Oscar G. Lopez has become a sought-after designer for the Trump family, creating gowns for Tiffany Trump, Lara Trump, and Kimberly Guilfoyle. He maintains a steadfastly apolitical stance regarding his clientele, stating, "I am a fashion designer and not a politician."
Despite the years of analysis and Lopez's new claim, the 2014 elevator fight remains a pivotal moment that publicly fractured the flawless façade of one of the world's most famous families.
