The internet was buzzing with rumours of a new bout of White House romance – this time involving the Crazy In Love singer and president Barack Obama.
A French paparazzo claimed the Washington Post newspaper was planning to run a story that the pair were having an affair.
Pascal Rostain’s sensational allegation on the Europe 1 radio station was picked up by other French media, including the normally strait-laced Le Figaro.
A spokeswoman for Beyoncé dismissed the claim as ‘absurd’.
Rostain, a friend of the jilted former French first lady Valérie Trierweiler, is due to have a memoir published this week.
He insisted: ‘There is something big that is happening… it’ll go out tomorrow in the Washington Post.’
Rostain went on to say the story is about ‘an alleged affair’ between Mr Obama and Beyoncé. He added: ‘I can assure you the world will be talking about it.’
Beyoncé and her rapper husband Jay Z have been friends with the Obamas for several years and she performed at Michelle Obama’s recent 50th birthday party.
Washington Post spokeswoman Kris Coratti said the paper had no information other than that they remained friends.
She added the paper had received a number of calls. ‘It’s kind of crazy how fast these rumours spread,’ she added.
Questioned about the Obama-Beyoncé claims, Mr Rostain said they were a joke.
The story came as French president François Hollande, who has actually been having an affair, travelled to the US to visit president Obama.
