A new book claims that Beyonce and Jay Z separated for a year amid rumors that the rapper was having an affair with Rihanna. The tell-all titled "Becoming Beyonce: The Untold Story" was written by celebrity biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli, and in the book, it was claimed that the couple allegedly split in 2005, which was around the time Jay-Z scouted Rihanna.
But Rihanna's former publicist, Jonathan Hay, came forward on Friday, Oct. 22, and said that he was the one who spread the affair rumors to give Rihanna's first single, "Pon de Replay," more publicity.
In a statement released to New York Daily Mail, Hay said that he started the rumor "out of desperation".
"The PR stunt that I did was out of desperation to help break 'Pon de Replay,'" Hay wrote. "It was reckless and I didn't think it was going to work. I was just throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what would stick."
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Taraborrelli did say that the rumor was fabricated by a publicist who wanted to "boost" Rihanna's career, but he also claimed that the rumor drove Beyonce and Jay Z apart, causing them to allegedly spend "maybe a year apart from each other" because the "Single Ladies" singer wasn't sure of what to make of the situation with the Barbadian singer.
Hay said that he hasn't met Taraborrelli but said that he was able to speak with the biographer's researcher. The former publicist said that he didn't know that the false rumors that he spread would turn into such a big story.
"But now, seeing Beyonce on the cover of this book and knowing that people are profiting from speculations and opinions about her really turns my stomach," Hay said.
Hay said that he felt "ashamed" that he is even talking about the issue and just wanted to "put this rumor to rest". He also told NY Daily Mail that he has apologized to Beyonce.
Hay said that the news of the book's release couldn't have come at a worse time for him, as he is currently releasing projects with his label, Urban Hitchcock, through Tidal. Tidal is owned by Jay Z and Beyonce.
"Hopefully this news hasn't ruined the relationship for me," he said.
