Kaya Jones, former member of the Pussycat Dolls, has said that Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal troubles are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to abuse in the entertainment industry. In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Jones hinted that Diddy's downfall could bring down other powerful figures in the industry, whom she claims have exploited and abused artists, herself included.
Jones, who has been outspoken about the mistreatment she endured during her time in the Pussycat Dolls, described an environment where powerful men wielded their influence to take advantage of young performers. "This is way beyond Puff Daddy," Jones said. "Our industry has something very wrong because we've allowed this behavior to continue to grow. Not with one gentleman, but many. And not with one woman, but many."
The singer did not name the executives she accused but hinted at an industry-wide "problem" that went far beyond one individual. She described how she and her bandmates were often pressured into uncomfortable situations where they feared for their safety. "There is something going on, and it's not just in entertainment," Jones said. "Entertainment is a really easy industry for these types of individuals to get what they want because you are never told, 'No.'"
Combs, who was indicted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges following his arrest in Manhattan on September 16, has denied any wrongdoing. The 54-year-old music mogul has also been hit with numerous civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, including allegations involving minors. "As Mr. Combs' legal team has emphasized, he cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus," Erica Wolff, one of Combs' attorneys, told DailyMail.com.
Jones said that the people surrounding Diddy were part of the same circle of executives who had exploited her and others during her time in the industry. She described these individuals as the same "suits" who attended Diddy's notorious parties. "That list is huge," she said. "Go bigger than Diddy because you have to start from the people who run these institutions because they've allowed it."
The allegations against Combs came into sharper focus after his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, filed a lawsuit against him in November 2023. Ventura later settled the case, but a video that surfaced showing Combs physically attacking Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 ultimately led to his arrest. "I wish I could say I was shocked," Jones said about the video. "I'm appalled that she was treated that way. I'm proud of her for having the guts to come forward and tell the truth of what she endured."
Jones said that she had her own experiences of abuse while working in the industry. She recounted a specific incident in Las Vegas, where a record executive offered her a ride to the airport. She alleged that the executive tried to assault her while they were in the car. "The entertainment industry is small and incestuous," Jones said, explaining why she has not publicly identified her alleged attacker. "These people all know each other, and they all protect each other."
Despite her experiences, Jones expressed some optimism that change might be on the horizon. She pointed to Ventura's lawsuit as an important step in exposing the darker side of the entertainment industry. "I'm encouraged that more alleged victims are coming forward," she said. "This isn't just about one person. It's about a culture that has enabled abuse for far too long."
Jones' allegations are not new. In 2017, she publicly stated that she felt pressured to "sleep with" people in the industry while she was a member of the Pussycat Dolls. At the time, the group's creator, Robin Antin, called her claims "disgusting, ridiculous lies." However, Jones has remained adamant, saying that her decision to leave the group was fueled by the toxic environment. "In 2004, I told Hollywood executives. In 2005-2006, I told the press. In 2011, I spoke up again," Jones said, emphasizing her persistence in raising awareness about the issue.
Combs, notably, does not have a direct link to the Pussycat Dolls. However, Jones suggested that his arrest could help reveal systemic issues in the music and entertainment industries that go beyond one individual or one group. "Where there's smoke, there's fire," she said. "And if [Diddy] can't see his family and friends, and he might have to take that plea deal, there are going to be some people who 'roll over.'"
Jones' interview will be featured in a future episode of DailyMail.com's weekly podcast, The Trial of Diddy, which aims to explore the broader implications of Combs' legal troubles for the entertainment industry as a whole.
