Sean "Diddy" Combs, the embattled music mogul currently facing federal charges including racketeering and sex trafficking, has publicly denied the allegations set to be featured in the upcoming Peacock documentary, Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy. In a statement issued on Friday, Combs' legal team criticized the documentary and other recent exposés for perpetuating what they described as "unchecked claims and baseless conspiracy theories."
"These documentaries include unchecked claims and provide platforms for baseless conspiracy theories without accountability or evidence," Combs' lawyers stated, according to Newsweek. "The motivations and credibility of those being interviewed must be questioned."
The 90-minute documentary, premiering on Peacock on January 14, includes interviews with former members of Combs' inner circle, such as his bodyguard, makeup artist, and producer. The project has drawn attention for its portrayal of Combs' controversial lifestyle and legal troubles. Trailers for the documentary feature damning allegations, including claims of inappropriate relationships with underage individuals and participation in sex trafficking.
One unidentified individual in the trailer claims, "Any time a studio or any room is red, he's making love and sex. Some of the girls who were in the room, for sure, they were underage." Another individual alleges, "They said they could ship me off and sell me to anyone."
The documentary is one of several projects delving into Combs' alleged misconduct. Rapper 50 Cent, an executive producer of an upcoming Netflix series titled Diddy Do It, described the complexity of capturing the allegations. "It's a difficult project because every day there's new accusations coming out," he said on Good Morning America.
Combs, 54, has been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York since September. He is also facing over 25 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct. If convicted of the criminal charges, he could face life imprisonment.
His legal team has vehemently denied the accusations, stating, "Sean Combs unequivocally denies these false allegations, which are harmful, defamatory, and unsupported by credible evidence. Mr. Combs deserves his day in court with an impartial jury, free from the taint of these baseless claims."
The allegations against Combs paint a troubling picture of a man once celebrated for his contributions to the music industry. According to The Daily Mail, a source close to the investigation described Combs' behavior as manipulative and predatory. Reports also suggest that Combs has suffered mentally during his incarceration, with one insider revealing he experienced a "meltdown" due to the stress of his situation.
As the documentary's release looms, Combs' legal and public relations challenges are far from over. Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy is expected to reignite conversations around the accountability of powerful figures in the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, Combs' team maintains his innocence, focusing on the impending trial to counter what they describe as "fiction" with "truth."
