A former staffer who worked closely with Jennifer Lopez has spoken out amid renewed scrutiny of Lopez's past relationship with Sean "Diddy" Combs, following allegations of serious criminal conduct against the music mogul. The insider, Thea de Sousa, who was involved with Lopez's professional circle during the early 2000s, took to social media to refute suggestions that Lopez may have been aware of Diddy's alleged misconduct.
"If you knew Jennifer Lopez, if you ever worked with her like I did, or if you were close with people who are like family to her like I am, you would know she did not have any idea about Diddy," de Sousa posted on Threads. She described Lopez as a dedicated professional with a strong work ethic, dismissing any notion of the singer being involved in or knowledgeable about any of Diddy's alleged wrongdoings. "She barely drinks, she is not a partier, she isn't a good time girl, she is a workaholic who uplifts women and who was charmed by him for a brief time in her life," de Sousa added.
De Sousa's defense of Lopez comes in the wake of allegations against Diddy, including charges of sex trafficking. The scandal has reignited interest in the high-profile relationship between Lopez and Diddy, who were a prominent couple from 1999 to 2001. Their romance, often described by Lopez as "tempestuous" and "emotionally exhausting," ended amid rumors of Diddy's infidelity. Lopez has reflected publicly on their difficult breakup, stating, "We broke up many times before that, and got back together and broke up again, and nobody knew about it. It was very tempestuous. Towards the end, it was emotionally exhausting."
The controversy surrounding Diddy has cast new light on their past relationship, but de Sousa emphasized that Lopez should not be associated with the recent allegations against her former partner. "She does not deserve to be conflated with [Diddy's] shocking and criminal misdeeds," she wrote, adding that Lopez's character and values were far removed from any behaviors now under scrutiny.
Lopez's relationship with Diddy, which dominated entertainment headlines in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has always been a subject of public fascination. During their time together, the pair were often seen at high-profile events, and their relationship was the focus of intense media scrutiny. While Lopez has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of their time together, she has previously spoken about the emotional toll it took on her.
The ex-staffer's remarks come at a time when Diddy faces mounting legal battles, with his legal team vigorously denying all allegations. De Sousa's comments underscore the pressure and misconceptions often faced by public figures with past associations to individuals later accused of serious misconduct. As Lopez continues her successful career in entertainment, her past with Diddy remains a complicated chapter that she has largely left behind.
De Sousa, whose background includes work with other A-listers such as Julia Roberts and Keanu Reeves, added weight to her defense by highlighting Lopez's commitment to uplifting women and maintaining a disciplined professional life. The renewed scrutiny, she suggested, unfairly conflates Lopez's past association with Diddy's current legal troubles.
Adding fuel to the conversation, tech billionaire Elon Musk recently questioned Lopez's credibility during an appearance on "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast.
Musk criticized Lopez for speaking out on political and social issues, including her support for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, while allegedly remaining silent about Diddy's behavior. "J.Lo was like his ex-girlfriend and it's like now deciding she's warning people against Trump," Musk remarked. "How many people did she warn against Diddy, right? Oh zero, okay. Maybe we shouldn't trust her opinion." Musk's comments have since sparked backlash, with critics accusing him of deflecting serious allegations against Diddy by dragging Lopez into the fray.
