How could Beyonce dress up Blue Ivy, 12, like a woman twice her age and invite discussion of her body while Jay-Z faces an accusation of raping a 13-year-old, asks TANITH CAREY

As she stepped onto the red carpet at the LA film premiere this week, there was no question that Blue Ivy Carter looked every inch the star in a strapless ball gown.

Along with the sophisticated hour-glass tailoring of the designer dress, her make-up was on point too – smokey eye shadow, sculpted cheeks and a bold glossy red lip.

In terms of making an impact, it’s fair to say that Blue Ivy got everything right in the style stakes, as an actress trying to make a name for herself in Hollywood.

However as a 12-year-old tween girl out on a school night, as a parenting author and counsellor, I have some hard questions.

I have no doubt that like every mother, Blue's superstar mum Beyonce wanted her daughter to feel like a princess for a night at the premiere of Mufasa; The Lion King, in which her daughter voices the role of Kiara.

But whether you are the daughter of a famous couple or not, like every young girl, Blue Ivy still needs to go through the same developmental milestones, in the same order, to build a healthy sense of adult self-worth.

Just because a celebrity child has the opportunity to dress up like a famous woman twice her age doesn’t mean she is ready to be treated as one on the outside.

Let’s not forget Blue Ivy is not even a teen.

She is a TWEEN.

As author of 'Girls Uninterrupted: How to build stronger girls in a challenging world', as well as counsellor, this is a sensitive age of development when she will be building her sense of self-worth and identity – as well as getting used to the shape-shifting experience of her body turning from a child's to a woman's.

As she joins Beyonce on stage as a dancer at events, as well as joining the family firm at events, Blue Ivy is increasingly becoming a mini-me of her mother.

But let's not forget that at the same time, this also means she is being asked to perform in adult ways she does not have the life experience to handle.

As we all know, it takes many years of trial-and-error and experimentation in our teen years before we become adult women who feel comfortable with our bodies and how we use them.

Of course, lots of young girls want to dress up as princesses – and try on their mother’s more grown-up clothes.

But mostly, this important experimentation is done at home in privacy , or among peers of a child’s age - not in front of a global audience.

This is also a phase of development in which young girls this age are exceptionally self-conscious and starting to compare themselves to others.

This is because they have an ‘imaginary audience’ in their minds watching every move, even when there’s no one watching. In Blue Ivy's case, millions actually are.

By getting attention and praise for how ‘grown up she looks’ so young, Blue Ivy is also likely to be picking up the message that pretty and worthy equals ‘looking sexy for other people.’

Studies have shown that encouraging a child to act like an adult – and view their bodies as objects to be looked at and judged, does not build confidence.

Instead, it can derail girls at a crucial window because they learn to see their bodies as objects to be judged by others.

What really would have been lost if her stylists and parents – as responsible adults with a duty of care to Blue Ivy – had tweaked the ballgown so that her new cleavage was not on show for the phalanx of paparazzi photographers - and up for discussion?

So instead of worrying we will be accused of prudery or body shaming, let’s start asking a different question– what exactly is the rush for Blue Ivy, who has a whole lifetime in the limelight ahead of her?

And look again. While the dress was grown-up, the way Blue Ivy kept looking throwing anxious looks to her parents and then the photographers for approval – and later teetered uncertainly in high heels across the stage when she changed to a gold micro-mini dress - showed this is very much a sweet and inexperienced 12 year old child.

Even more confusingly for Blue Ivy, she was being put under this intense spotlight just as her father faces allegations in a civil lawsuit that he had a sex with a 13-year-old girl, just one year older.

Instead of being given time to process the shock of what must be an earth-shattering accusation, as a 12-year-old, Blue Ivy has no choice by go out in front of a global audience and smile for the cameras

So as commenters rush to pour praise on her outfit this week, let’s not forget that just because Blue Ivy looks grown- up on the outside, doesn’t mean she is inside.

Every child needs time and some privacy to grow into her adult body, to feel comfortable in her skin.

Blue Ivy may have many privileges as the daughter of one of the most rich and high-profile couples in the world.But judging from this red-carpet appearance, growing up in her own time does not seem to be one of them. 

A father facing accusations 

The family's public appearance came at a difficult time, as Blue Ivy's father Jay-Z has been accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean 'Diddy' Combs at a party after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards in a civil lawsuit filed on Sunday.

The accuser, who identifies herself as Jane Doe in the legal documents reviewed by Dailymail.com, says the assault took place at a party after the award show.

The lawsuit had initially been filed in New York's Southern District this past October against Combs, with a refiling on Sunday naming the rapper, 55, whose real name is Shawn Carter.

The woman accusing the rapper claims that the assault took place at an afterparty following the event, which took place September 7, 2000 at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. 

Dailymail.com has reached out to Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing Jay-Z's accuser, for comment. 

Jay-Z issued a lengthy statement to DailyMail.com on Sunday denying the claims made in the re-filed lawsuit. DailyMail.com has also reached out to a Beyoncé representative on the story.  

'My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a “lawyer” named Tony Buzbee,' he said. '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!!'

The musician 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. This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these type of theatrics!'

Jay-Z, who has three children from his 16-year marriage to Beyoncé, referenced his family in his reply.

'My only heartbreak is for my family,' Jay-Z said. '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.

Jay-Z, who is father to daughter Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Rumi and Sir, seven, with the superstar songstress, said he was dismayed his children would have to hear about the allegations.

'I mourn yet another loss of innocence,' he said. '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.'

The rap staple, whose hits include Empire State Of Mind, Big Pimpin' and Can I Get A…, took personal aim at Buzbee, who has taken on more than 100 cases against Combs.

'I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over,' Jay-Z said in his reply. 'I’m more than prepared to deal with your type. You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity. 

'My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.'

Jay-Z said in his statement that Buzbee 'made a terrible error in judgement' in categorizing all celebrities as the same, referencing his own rise amid humble New York City beginnings.

'I’m not from your world,' he said. 'I’m a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don’t play these types of games.

'We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain.'

Jay-Z wrapped up his statement in saying, '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. I look forward to showing you just how different I am.'

The statement was initially sent to Dailymail.com then published on the Instagram account for Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. 

In the suit filed by Buzbee's firm, the accuser said that the sexual assault occurred at a house party following the VMAs.

The accuser was hoping to attend the VMAs as a 'bucket list' aspiration, according to the lawsuit, and 'believed she could gain entry.'

As the show started, the accuser said she 'approached several limousine drivers parked nearby and attempted to talk her way into either' the event or afterparties associated with it.

The accuser said in the lawsuit that a limo driver who said they worked for Diddy 'told her that Combs liked younger girls and said she "fit what Diddy was looking for."'

The driver said that he would return to pick ho the accuser after dropping Combs off at the location of the bash.

The accuser said that following a 20-minute drive, she 'arrived at what she believed to be a large white residence with a gated U-shaped driveway' and was told to sign her name to a document she 'now believes to have been a non-disclosure agreement,' as she didn't receive a copy.

Once in the home, the accuser 'recognised many celebrities' and 'attempted to mingle in the crowd' and speak with people.

'Marijuana and cocaine' use was a part of the 'widespread drug use' she witnessed once inside, the accuser said in the suit.

The accuser said she took a drink that had 'a reddish-yellow mixture that tasted like orange juice, cranberry juice, and something bitter' and 'began to feel woozy and lightheaded, making her need to lie down.'

The accuser said in legal documents that she laid down in 'what appeared to be an empty bedroom' and subsequently, Combs, Jay-Z and a female celebrity referred to as "Celebrity B" entered the room.

'Combs aggressively approached Plaintiff with a crazed look in his eyes, grabbed her, and said, "You are ready to party!"' legal documents read.

The accuser said in the lawsuit that Combs threw her 'toward a wall,' leading her to fall, then 'grabbed her again and threw her on the bed.'

The accuser said Jay-Z began stripping her down 'as she grew more and more disoriented' and held her down as 'he vaginally raped her, while Combs and Celebrity B watched.

'After [Jay-Z] finished, he stepped back toward the wall. Combs then stepped forward and vaginally raped Plaintiff while Carter and Celebrity B watched.'

According to legal docs, in the 2000 incident, 'another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor. Many others were present at the after party, but did nothing to stop the assault.

'Carter has been with Combs during many such instances described herein. Both perpetrators must face justice.'

The accuser said in legal documents that Combs tried to force her 'to perform oral sex on him,' at which point she 'fought back, standing up quickly and punching out at the same time, hitting Combs in the neck,' at which point he 'stopped his attempt.'

The accuser said she was able to escape the property and 'retrace the route taken by the limo driver,' arriving at 'a gas station she noticed on the way to the party.

After 'a female clerk noticed her distress and allowed her to use the phone,' the accuser said she 'called her father, admitted that she had lied about her whereabouts, and asked him to pick her up,' which he did.

The accuser 'fell into a deep depression which continues to affect every facet of her life,' according to the lawsuit.

She 'suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and a seizure disorder caused by stress and trauma,' the suit states. 

The accuser has also 'has had difficulty maintaining normal relationships and lives largely withdrawn from society.'

The accuser is asking the court for unspecified damages in the suit, which had been filed under New York state's Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.

Sunday's filing marks the first time Buzbee has named a public figure apart from Combs in legal documents.

The legal documents filed against Jay-Z indicate that he was past referred to as 'Celebrity A' in a prior legal filing, and says he has homes in New York City and Los Angeles.

Buzbee told TMZ in a statement Sunday evening, 'Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm. He even filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym.

'What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation.'

The attorney wrapped up in saying, 'Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. I’m very proud of her resolve.'

The timeframe of the incident appears to align with when Jay-Z and Beyoncé's relationship began getting serious. 

Beyoncé told Seventeen magazine that she initially met Jay-Z at the age of 18 (a timeframe spanning from September of 1999 through August of 2000), People previously reported.

Beyoncé told Oprah Winfrey on OWN in 2013, 'We were friends first for a year and a half before we went on any dates.

'We were on the phone for a year and a half, and that foundation is so important for a relationship. Just to have someone who you just like is so important, and someone [who] is honest.'

By November 2001, they were seen with one another on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine, with Jay-Z telling the publication they 'were just beginning to try to date each other,' adding: 'She's a charming Southern girl, you know ... but I would have definitely had to be this cool.'

Combs, who is being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, has denied all of the allegations against him.

Combs in September was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and additional offenses by federal officials. He has tried in vain to get bail on three occasions.

Attorneys for Combs issued a statement to TMZ on Sunday evening calling Buzbee's latest move one in a series of 'shameless publicity stunts;' and reiterated their stance on the case against Combs.

'This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs,' the statement read.

It continued: 'As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone - man or woman, adult or minor.'