Beyoncé consoled by singer and Broadway star who has become her 'rock' after Jay-Z rape accusation

Beyoncé is leaning on her former Destiny's Child bandmate Michelle Williams in the wake of her husband Jay-Z being accused of raping a 13 year-old girl with Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

The Cowboy Carter singer, 43, has been left 'embarrassed, devastated and horrified' after the rapper, 55, was hit with a civil lawsuit filed on Sunday claiming that he sexually assaulted the teenager on September 7, 2000 after the MTV Video Music Awards.

While Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, denied the claims and insisted he is the victim of a 'blackmail attempt,' Beyoncé is said to be 'confused and shocked' by the allegations and has 'spent the last few days crying.'

According to insiders, singer and actress Williams, 45, has been a huge source of support for the multi award-winning artist, and is helping her make sense of it all.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, one source said that Williams, who is currently on Broadway in Death Becomes Her, has been 'praying with her everyday as she considers all of her options.'

They said: 'She has always been Beyoncé's most spiritual friend, and she helped her get through the Beyoncé-hate train in the early 2000s when LeToya and LaTavia left the group.

'Michelle was one of the first people Bey confided in and they have been speaking every evening when Michelle has time away from her Broadway show.

'Michelle is often joked about as the "third wheel" but the truth is that she really holds things together because of her love for God. She is Beyoncé's rock right now.'

Williams' and Beyoncé's friendship dates back to the early 2000s, when the former joined Destiny's Child.

She came into the group, which already consisted of Kelly Rowland, shortly after LaTavia and LeToya were booted out by manager Mathew Knowles - Beyoncé's dad.

The source continued: 'Beyoncé isn't in a good place at all and is surrounded by her mother and other friends at their home in LA,' the insider added.

'She has cancelled some surprise promotional appearances.

'Jay has reassured her that he isn't guilty of anything and is infuriated that his friendship with Diddy has dragged him into this.'

According to reports, Beyoncé – who shares daughter Blue Ivy, 12, and twins, Rumi and Sir, seven with her husband - has cancelled an interview to promote her halftime show on Christmas Day.

Another insider told DailyMail.com: 'Beyoncé is embarrassed, devastated and horrified with the allegations against her husband.

'He is in no way a saint and has cheated on Beyoncé in the past and she hoped that was the worst they would have to go through.'

Jay-Z is reportedly 'living elsewhere so he can work on his case without interrupting the kids' routine.'

The Roc Nation founder released a furious statement denying and condemning the 'heinous' and 'idiotic' allegations on Sunday night.

In his statement, he slammed Texas-born attorney Tony Buzbee, suggesting he was not a legitimate lawyer, and launched a slew of insults, calling him a 'deplorable human' and an 'ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.'

Buzbee has filed several lawsuits in recent months accusing Combs of assault and rape. This is the first suit in which he has named another high-profile defendant.

'My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a "lawyer" named Tony Buzbee,' his statement read.

'What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle.

'No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!'

He continued: 'These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.'

The rapper then mentioned how it is 'unfair' that his family, particularly his eldest daughter Blue Ivy, will also be affected.

'My only heartbreak is for my family,' he wrote. 'My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.

'I mourn yet another loss of innocence.

'Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit.'

He added: 'Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable.' 

Carter is accused of assaulting a woman, who identifies as Jane Doe in the legal documents, at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party on September 7, 2000.

The suit claims she was driven to a house party and offered a drink that made her feel ‘woozy, lightheaded and felt [like] she needed to lie down.’

Combs and Carter are then alleged to have entered the room with Combs declaring: ‘You are ready to party!’

She claims Carter then removed her clothes, held her down and raped her while Combs and an unnamed female celebrity watched. She says Combs also raped her as Carter and the woman looked on.

The lawsuit was originally filed in New York's Southern District this past October against Combs.

It was refiled on Sunday naming Jay-Z as a defendant.

The female celebrity listed was unnamed at the time of writing. 

On Monday, Beyoncé's mom Tina Knowles liked a post which was shared on Instagram by abc7Chicago and was captioned: 'Breaking news: Jay-Z, Diddy named in lawsuit alleging rape of girl, 13.'

Knowles, 70, has not commented in public about the bombshell accusation.