Wendy Williams, the iconic talk show host known for her unfiltered commentary, has spoken out regarding the arrest of Sean "Diddy" Combs. The rapper and music mogul, long revered in the industry, is now at the center of a sex trafficking investigation, with charges of racketeering and transportation for prostitution. Williams, who has often been critical of Combs, expressed relief over the unfolding legal action, claiming it was long overdue.
Speaking to DailyMail.com, Williams said, "You know how I feel about that? It is about time." The 60-year-old former TV host, who has been vocal about Diddy's alleged misconduct for years, added, "To see this video on TV of [Cassie] getting pummeled... it was just horrific. But now you have to think, how many more times? How many people? How many more women? It's just so horrible."
The video Williams referred to is footage from 2016 showing Combs assaulting his former girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura. The disturbing video, which resurfaced earlier this year, shocked the public and added to the growing list of accusations against the rapper. Combs, 54, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include sex trafficking, racketeering, and orchestrating events described as "Freak Off" parties, where victims were allegedly drugged and coerced into sexual acts.
Throughout her career, Williams has been a persistent critic of Combs, famously hinting at the darker side of his persona. "What is really weird is that I have been told by so many people, 'Wendy, you called it,'" she told DailyMail.com. Even fans of her now-defunct Wendy Williams Show have come forward to acknowledge that Williams had warned the public about Combs' alleged behavior for years. On social media, one fan remarked, "I truly miss Auntie Wendy Williams on days like today. No one did hot topics like she did... she tried to tell us."
Williams' career in television spanned 13 years before her show aired its final episode in June 2022. Her exit from the show followed a period of health issues, including a diagnosis of aphasia. Although she stepped away from the limelight, her sharp observations on celebrity culture have never waned. Many viewers believe that if she were still on air, she would be providing cutting commentary on Combs' legal troubles, especially given her longstanding skepticism about his character.
The public's renewed interest in Williams' warnings has led to the resurfacing of a 2017 interview where Diddy appeared on her show. In the clip, Combs made a reference to Williams' then-16-year-old son, Kevin Hunt Jr., which caused noticeable discomfort. Williams appeared to hesitate and stammer as Diddy spoke about meeting her son backstage, leading viewers to speculate on the tension between the two. One commentator noted, "The way that she hesitated, you know that she knew about him!" Another added, "That was a threat, he's saying play nice."
Combs' legal team, led by attorney Marc Agnifilo, has been quick to dismiss the allegations. In a statement to TMZ, Combs' attorney, Erica Wolff, said, "As Mr. Combs' legal team has emphasized, he cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus. That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors."
Combs has also argued that the case against him is racially motivated, with Agnifilo claiming that his client is being targeted because of his success as a Black man. "He believes this is a racially motivated prosecution," Agnifilo said, adding that Combs is determined to fight the charges not just for himself but for others in similar positions. "He can't wait to testify in court," his lawyer told TMZ, noting that Combs is looking forward to proving his innocence.
The charges against Combs stem from allegations that he presided over a network of sexual abuse and coercion, particularly at his infamous "Freak Off" parties, where drugs like ketamine were allegedly used to incapacitate victims. Some of these incidents reportedly date back to the 1990s, with allegations involving underage individuals. The indictment also references an attack on Cassie, captured on video, which further fueled the public outrage surrounding the case.
As the legal proceedings move forward, Combs remains in custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, having been denied bail twice on the grounds that he is both a flight risk and a danger to the community. The court stated, "There is no condition, or combination of conditions, that will reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant as required and the safety of others and the community."
For Williams, the scandal is a grim reminder of the warnings she had issued for years. While the rapper's defense team prepares for a fierce legal battle, Williams and others in the industry continue to reflect on the years of rumors surrounding Combs. As one fan pointed out, "Wendy tried to tell us, and now it's all coming out."
