Jay-Z’s mother, Gloria Carter, tied the knot with her long-time girlfriend, Roxanne Wilshire, in a private ceremony held in Tribeca, New York City. The wedding, attended by close friends and family, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Tyler Perry, and Robin Roberts, reportedly lasted until the early hours of Sunday morning.
While Carter’s representatives have been approached for comment, photos shared by the Daily Mail captured Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s daughter, Blue Ivy, 11, accompanying them as they entered the exclusive venue, Tribeca 360°, alongside Knowles-Lawson.
Jay-Z first revealed his mother’s sexual orientation and coming out experience on his 2017 track, “Smile.” The song marked the first public acknowledgment from both of them regarding her identity. In the lyrics, he expressed his support and happiness for his mother, rapping, “Don’t matter to me if it’s a him or her/I just wanna see you smile through all the hate.”
the carter-knowles family attending gloria carter’s (jay z’s mom) wedding in manhattan ?? pic.twitter.com/gN19J3pXgP
— ADAM (@yoncesavagew) July 3, 2023Carter herself makes an appearance on the track, delivering a poignant spoken-word outro that touches upon the challenges of living in secrecy and the importance of embracing one’s true self. She reflects on the fear and safety of living in the shadows and emphasizes the significance of love and freedom.
During an interview with David Letterman on the show “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction,” Jay-Z opened up about his emotional response when his mother shared her newfound love with him. He expressed his happiness and shed tears of joy, realizing that his mother was finally free to be her authentic self. He emphasized the importance of living truthfully and loving without constraints.
The wedding of Gloria Carter and Roxanne Wilshire marks a significant moment of celebration, acceptance, and love in the lives of Jay-Z and his family.
