Beyoncé and Jay-Z, one of music’s most iconic power couples, have ignited online debate after Forbes referred to Beyoncé as “Beyoncé Knowles” rather than her married name, “Beyoncé Knowles-Carter,” in its recent list of the world’s most powerful women.
The omission comes amid a legal storm involving Jay-Z, who is facing allegations of sexual assault alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusations both men vehemently deny.
Fans were quick to notice the name change, flooding social media with theories ranging from a “soft launch” name adjustment to speculation about personal turmoil within the Carter household. “Lemme hear y’all say UH OH,” joked one user, while another wrote, “Nah, don’t forget the Carter!!!”
Interestingly, Forbes’ use of “Knowles” isn’t unprecedented, as some pointed out. However, others noted that Beyoncé was referred to as “Beyoncé Knowles-Carter” as recently as September when Forbes covered the launch of her whiskey brand, SirDavis.
Beyoncé, known for her loyalty to the Carter name even toured as “Mrs. Carter” and named her recent album Cowboy Carter—has remained silent on the speculation.
Meanwhile, Jay-Z’s current legal battle has placed the couple in the spotlight for reasons far removed from their musical dominance.
The lawsuit accuses Jay-Z and Diddy of assaulting a 13-year-old girl at a party following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.
While Jay-Z has categorically denied the allegations, he expressed concern over the toll the accusations might take on his family, particularly his eldest daughter, Blue Ivy.
“My wife and I will have to explain to our children the cruelty and greed of people who aim to destroy families,” he said in a statement, calling the allegations an act of malice.
Despite the couple’s united front, the timing of Forbes’ editorial choice has fueled whispers about potential changes in their relationship dynamics.
One sharp-eyed fan noticed that Beyoncé was ranked 35th on Forbes’ latest Most Powerful Women list but was curiously referred to as “Beyoncé Knowles” instead of her full name, “Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.”
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), they posted a screenshot of the listing alongside a photo of Queen Bey, sparking a frenzy of speculation. The post exploded online, racking up an impressive 9 million views and counting.
Beyoncé, celebrated for her fierce independence and artistry, has not commented publicly on the lawsuits or the social media frenzy surrounding her name.
As fans continue to dissect every move of this powerhouse duo, one thing remains clear: whether under the name Knowles, Carter, or both, Queen Bey and Jay-Z remain at the center of public fascination—and scrutiny.
