Justin Bieber has reportedly distanced himself from longtime mentor Sean "Diddy" Combs, following the rapper's mounting legal troubles and allegations of sexual misconduct. Sources close to Bieber suggest that any mention of Diddy has become a sensitive subject for the pop star, who was once closely associated with the music mogul.
Bieber, now 29, recently unfollowed more than two dozen Instagram accounts, including Diddy, music producer Benny Blanco, and singer The Weeknd. The move has fueled speculation about Bieber's motivations, particularly regarding his relationship with Combs, who remains in custody in Brooklyn on sex trafficking charges. While Bieber has made no allegations against Diddy, resurfaced videos of their past interactions have drawn renewed scrutiny.
In one clip, Diddy described a weekend spent with a then-15-year-old Bieber, calling it a "dream" for a teenager but refusing to disclose details of their time together. The vague nature of his comments, combined with the ongoing legal proceedings, has led to speculation about the nature of their past relationship.
A source speaking to RadarOnline described Bieber as visibly shaken by the controversy. "It's not something he wants to talk about, but any time Diddy's name comes up, he gets upset. People are whispering that having everything exposed could ruin Justin's life. It's traumatizing, and it seems to have set him back in a big way," the source said.
As Bieber navigates the fallout, Kris Jenner has reportedly taken an interest in supporting him. However, insiders suggest her motives may extend beyond genuine concern. Jenner, known for her strategic management of the Kardashian brand, is said to be eager to bring Bieber into the family's orbit, potentially leveraging his situation for media opportunities. Kris "is always looking out for herself and her family, so you better believe she has an ulterior motive beyond just helping a friend in need," the source added.
Bieber's recent social media activity has further fueled speculation about shifting industry alliances. Among those unfollowed was Blanco, who is engaged to Bieber's ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez. The move raised eyebrows, though Bieber has not commented publicly on any rift. Additionally, Bieber cut ties with music producer Diplo, Vice President JD Vance, and Scooter Braun's entertainment company, according to reports.
The timing of Bieber's social media purge coincides with industry drama surrounding rapper Drake, who has also seen relationships with industry peers shift amid his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar. While Bieber has not addressed his reasons for the unfollow spree, fans have taken to social media to analyze potential motivations.
Bieber previously made headlines for briefly unfollowing his wife, Hailey Bieber, which he later attributed to a hack. "Someone went on my account and unfollowed my wife," he clarified at the time. Despite that incident, the latest moves appear to be deliberate, particularly in light of Diddy's legal battles.
Diddy, who faces multiple civil and criminal allegations, has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty. His trial is set to begin in May. Meanwhile, Bieber has remained publicly silent on his former mentor's legal troubles, leaving fans to speculate about the extent of their past relationship and whether more details will emerge in the coming months.
