Sean "Diddy" Combs, once celebrated as a global music icon and entrepreneur, cut a dramatically different figure during a recent federal court hearing. The 55-year-old, facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, appeared far thinner than before and noticeably grayer, according to multiple observers who saw him inside the courtroom. This stark contrast to his previous life of lavish excess comes amid growing scrutiny of his alleged attempts to influence witnesses and manipulate public opinion before his 2025 trial.
Onlookers were struck by the once-polished artist's transformed appearance. "He appeared just astonishingly thinner, which you can expect (from him being) inside a federal detention centre for a couple of months now," said Law & Crime reporter Elizabeth Millner, who attended the hearing. "A lot different from the luxury lifestyle that he was living before, but he appeared very noticeably thinner and maybe being locked up in detention is starting to wear on him." Observers also noted that Combs' hair appeared grayer, lending further credence to the idea that incarceration is taking its toll.
Although some close to the rapper assert that he remains "healthy" and focused on his defense, an unmistakable aura of tension and decline surrounds him. A source who spoke to Page Six characterized Combs as staying active, in good spirits, and even "working out regularly." But these assurances are undercut by reports that he is barely touching his prison meals. This alleged near-hunger strike is reportedly driven by fears that someone might be trying to poison him behind bars.
Larry Levine, a former inmate at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn where Combs is being held, has offered grim speculation about life inside the notorious facility. "Imagine if someone paid someone off on the inside to poison his food, give him a heart attack and he dies," Levine said, floating the possibility that corruption could pose a serious threat. "If somebody got to one of the correctional officers, and this could happen. They don't make a lot of money and there's people out there that he's got stuff on that do have a lot of money."
The quality of the meals, Levine added, is far from gourmet. "There's mold in a lot of that food," he alleged. "Maybe he got sick from the food, that's another possibility." A source speaking to RadarOnline.com claimed Combs approached his Thanksgiving meal "like a huffy child," barely touching it. "He is virtually on hunger strike now as he's been saying he thinks his food is poisoned," the source said.
These troubling allegations arise amid a swirl of claims that Combs attempted to influence witnesses. Prosecutors allege that the rap mogul used indirect communication tactics, including orchestrating social media posts and seeking favors from intermediaries, to shape narratives that might sway public perception and even potential jurors. In one instance, a woman identified as "witness two" was reportedly paid to post statements on Instagram defending Combs.
The case against him has drawn attention to alleged misconduct spanning years. More than 120 individuals have leveled various accusations, including rape and sexual assault, since his initial arrest. Former video vixen Elisabeth Ovesen recounted incidents in her 2005 memoir involving industry figures, claiming she was sent by a then-boyfriend to Combs' home, allegedly pressured to "take care" of the rapper's needs. Combs denies all charges, maintaining he had no involvement in these alleged criminal acts.
Within the sterile walls of the MDC, Combs is no longer the powerful figure who once hosted exclusive events and enjoyed VIP treatment. Here, he navigates a drastically different reality: isolation, bland meals, and the relentless hum of suspicion. His attempts at securing bail have repeatedly failed, leaving him stuck in pre-trial detention with limited options to adjust his conditions.
