Is LVMH about to let go of Jay-Z and Beyoncé?

While a wind of change, or rather layoffs, has been blowing through LVMH in recent weeks, it seems that the time for sorting has not only arrived for its employees but also for the brands within the group's portfolio. If Moët Hennessy, the group's wine and spirits division, has owned 50% of Roc Nation since 2021—a brand created by Jay-Z that distributes his Armand de Brignac champagne and the whiskey of his wife and pop star Beyoncé—this collaboration might soon come to an end. Indeed, the recent accusations of child rape against the rapper and the damage to his reputation have not been particularly appreciated by the luxury giant, which is already embroiled in various troubles and controversies. An inconvenience that could cause problems, as in addition to their respective spirits brands, the couple also serves as ambassadors for Tiffany & Co, never misses a Louis Vuitton fashion show, and occasionally attends events with the Arnault family.

Their presence within the group has reportedly become a point of contention among members of the luxury giant. While Alexandre Arnault, the son of the "cashmere wolf" who was recently appointed as the new Deputy CEO of the wine and spirits division, initiated this partnership, his colleague Jean-Jacques Guiony, who sees it in a much less favorable light. Indeed, he has never hidden his reluctance to associate the group and its image with "celebrities" who, at a moment's notice, could bring it crashing down from its pedestal. Until a consensus is reached, investments in Armand de Brignac—dubbed "Arnaque de Brigand" (Scam of the Brigand) by sellers—will be suspended pending a decision regarding whether to maintain or drop charges against Jay-Z, who still benefits from the presumption of innocence.