Beyonce and Jay Z's marriage has rarely been out of the headlines this year thanks to THAT infamous elevator fight which sparked a chain of scandalous reports including cheating and divorce allegations, tarnishing what has so far been a very perfect and private image. However, the Drunk In Love hitmakers were seen looking happy and loved-up at Solange's wedding last month, so is all well with the Carters after all? Matchmaking expert Caroline Brealey has given us the lowdown…
It's no secret that Bey, 33, and Jay Z, who celebrated his 45th birthday yesterday, have always preferred to keep their relationship behind closed doors while giving the public only what they want us to know through cute Instagram photos and on-stage PDA moments - they even got married secretly in 2008. But their biggest nightmare was realised on May 12 when TMZ published CCTV footage of Bey's younger sister Solange violently attacking Jay Z in an elevator at The Standard Hotel after the Met Ball.
The night where everyone realised Beyonce and Jay Z aren't so perfect after all (FayesVision/WENN)
Of course, neither Beyonce, Jay Z or Solange revealed the reason behind the altercation but a statement was released explaining that they had resolved the issue. With no real explanation to go off, rumours intensified that Jay Z had been having an affair with Rachel Roy or flirting with other women and it wasn't long before speculation circulated that they would be divorcing. But then the couple went on their On The Run tour. And things have appeared to be absolutely fine between Bey and Jay ever since - except for that one time at a basketball game where they seemed to be arguing.
So what's the deal between Bey and Jay? Have they put the rocky year behind them? Caroline from matchmaking agency Mutual Attraction, says Blue Ivy's parents are just like any other couple. "Rumours are often not based on fact and, where celebs are involved, one little rumour will spread through the media like wildfire whether true or not. As soon as the speculation begins, that's it! I think they're a strong couple who dated for quite some time before marrying. They both have crazy working lives so life isn't going to be easy but I reckon this is one couple who will go the distance,” Caroline told EntertainmentWise exclusively.
Whatever may or may not go on in their marriage, Bey and Jay are great parents to little Blue (WENN)
"What's displayed in public isn't always what's happening behind closed doors. If they fall out sometimes and people notice, so what?! That just makes them normal and some debate can even be healthy. Keeping negative feelings inside is when the real problems will occur. What's important is that Beyonce and Jay-Z stay strong as a couple, yes they may argue from time to time but, what's important is that they love, respect and care for each others feelings enough to make up.” Although she did point out: “Even the most seemingly ‘;perfect' couples can break up… Think Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt; Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin."
We hope Bey and Jay can make it last! Let's take a look back at how their marriage reportedly spiralled this year…
Elevator-gate: In May, Solange is seen launching a vicious attack on Jay Z in an elevator. He doesn't react and everyone was weirded out that Beyonce simply stands in the middle. The trio later released this joint statement: "Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has occurred. They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in the public. They both have apologised to each other and we have moved forward as a united family... At the end of the day families have problems and we're no different. We love each other and above all we are family. We've put this behind us and hope everyone else will do the same."
Who's Rachel Roy? Later that month, theorists began speculating what Jay Z and Solange argued about, but the rumour that stuck was that the Holy Grail rapper was cheating on Queen Bey with fashion designer and old acquaintance Rachel Roy. Of course, this was denied and Rachel eventually faded back out of the spotlight.
(FayesVision/WENN)
They're On The Run: Weeks after the scandal, Bey and Jay announced that they would be embarking on their first ever joint tour that summer and they even released a mini-movie trailer for promotion. Things seemed to be back on track although...
Wait... Did they make the drama up? Speculation began mounting that the tour announcement came at a convenient time and even Bey's father Mathew Knowles suggested the elevator drama was a publicity stunt. He told The Roula and Ryan Show: "I know, from experience, because we've done this, there's a tour going on. So you have to sometimes ignite that tour—it's called a Jedi mid trick! The Jedi mind trick fools you a lot of time. So things you see sometimes are [poof noise].”
Crazy In Love on stage: The couple's tour kicked off on June 25 and it was filled with plenty of loved-up moments from kissing on stage to cuddling sweetly although, there were times when Bey cried while wearing a wedding dress. Were they hinting at marital problems?
(Beyonce/Instagram)
Love in the City of Lights: After the tour wrapped up, Bey, Jay and Blue spent more than a month living in Paris and enjoying tourist activities like visiting the Eiffel Tower and museums. Many believed the lengthy holiday was so they could repair their marriage.
(Beyonce/Instagram)
Then there was this video:
Family values: Coming full circle, Bey and Jay attended Solange's wedding to Alan Ferguson in New Orleans in November and it looked as though all was well between the trio with the couple laughing and cuddling each other while Jay Z actually looked happy to be there.
Here's wishing the Carters will have a drama-free 2015!
Follow Caroline here and @Matchmaker_Miss.
