Sean "Diddy" Combs has revealed that he sought therapy to cope with emotional struggles following high-profile relationships, including his romance with Jennifer Lopez. In a resurfaced interview with Playboy Magazine, Combs, now 55, spoke candidly about undergoing therapy for his "drastic mood swings" and past relationship turmoil. "I've gone to therapy for relationships I've been in, for tragedies I've been through. I think therapy is good," the music mogul stated. He specifically mentioned seeking help after the death of The Notorious B.I.G. and during his relationship with Kim Porter and Lopez.
Combs and Lopez were a highly-publicized couple from 1999 to 2001, but their relationship has resurfaced in the press following Combs's recent legal issues. He is currently being held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, facing charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and other crimes. While Lopez has not been implicated in any of Combs's alleged misconduct, her past with him has drawn renewed scrutiny. Sources have described their two-year romance as "tempestuous and emotionally exhausting" and noted that Lopez has been avoiding questions about the connection.
Amid the renewed attention, former colleagues have come to Lopez's defense. Thea de Sousa, who worked with Lopez on the 2002 film "Maid in Manhattan," recently emphasized Lopez's lack of involvement in Combs's alleged crimes. "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...you would know she did not have any idea about Diddy," de Sousa stated. She portrayed Lopez as a disciplined professional, not the "party girl" some might associate with her high-profile romance.
Lopez's camp is reportedly frustrated by the renewed attention, with insiders labeling it a "PR disaster" that has negatively affected her health. "Her links to him resurfacing are a PR disaster for her and damaging her own health," a source claimed. Meanwhile, Combs's legal team has continued to deny all accusations against him, asserting in a statement, "Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts, their legal defenses, and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted anyone - adult or minor, man or woman."
Combs's legal issues extend beyond his relationship with Lopez. In November 2023, his former girlfriend, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, filed a lawsuit alleging rape and physical abuse. Though the case was settled within 24 hours, it triggered a wave of allegations from over 120 people, with new claims of sexual and physical abuse spanning decades. Combs's arrest in September came as federal authorities charged him with racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.
The legal fallout from Combs's arrest has raised questions about the power dynamics in the entertainment industry and brought scrutiny to the cultural icons who were once protected by public adoration. Tony Buzbee, a lawyer representing several alleged victims, has been vocal about the seriousness of the claims, alleging that Combs engaged in a range of exploitative behaviors. One claim includes the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old at a party hosted by Combs, an accusation his legal team vehemently denies.
Lopez, meanwhile, has tried to distance herself from the scandal, focusing on her career and personal life following her recent divorce from actor Ben Affleck. Supporters have rallied around her, emphasizing her reputation as a hardworking, professional artist unconnected to Combs's legal troubles. "She barely drinks, she is not a partier," de Sousa remarked, underscoring Lopez's determination to separate herself from the controversy.
As Combs's trial approaches in May 2025, his past and present continue to collide in the public eye.