11 February 2014
Newsdesk
Beyoncé Knowles alleged affair with US President Barack Obama will not be the subject of an exposé by The Washington Post.
The singer and politician were the subject of sensational reports Monday after French photographer Pascal Rostain told French newspaper Le Figaro the world would soon learn of their romance.
"You know, at this time, the United States, there is something big that is happening. Besides, it'll go out tomorrow in the Washington Post, we can not say that it is the gutter press [reporting on an] alleged affair between President Barack Obama and Beyoncé. I can assure you that the world will talk about it," he was quoted saying by Jezebel.com.
The Washington Post subsequently dismissed the claims.
A spokesperson for the newspaper told the website it's "definitely not true" plans to run the story are underway.
France's Gala magazine is meanwhile running with the allegations. Editors reported President Obama and his wife, Michelle, are considering divorce.
Rostain has also defended his comments, noting speculation about French President François Hollande's affair with a movie actress was later confirmed when Hollande announced his split from First Lady Valerie Trierweiler.
"There are [photographs and] television images of the Obamas [in which they are] a little distant. It is legitimate to ask questions. We found the same thing [in images] between Holland and Trierweiler. Afterwards, there was the rumour.
[Same] for Obama with Beyoncé, for example. Just because it's a rumour doesn't mean that one should not go into the field to check," Rostain said.
Spokespersons for Beyoncé and the White House have not commented on the latest claims.
