Justin Bieber has been battling an emotional storm behind the scenes, with sources close to the pop star telling Radar Online that he is reduced to tears whenever anyone even mentions the name of his former mentor, Sean "Diddy" Combs. The tension stems in part from Combs' fall from grace, as the hip-hop mogul faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including those involving minors. According to insiders, Bieber's mental health has been reeling from the onslaught of revelations, prompting him to ban his entourage from bringing up Diddy in his presence.
An individual familiar with Bieber's situation stated: "Justin is really finding the Diddy situation hard to handle. It seems sometimes like every hour something new connected to Combs hits the media and it is really hammering at his mental health. He's now banned his people from even mentioning Diddy's name because the stress of the saga is reducing him to tears in some instances." The source added, as reported by Radar Online, "It really is that severe." While Bieber has not made any allegations against Combs, the pop singer has publicly cut ties, unfollowing the 55-year-old on social media and removing references to him.
Speculation has only intensified as the Kardashians' matriarch, Kris Jenner, is rumored to have shown interest in supporting Bieber emotionally, though sources say she also has an ulterior motive. Jenner "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," an insider declared, hinting at a possible TV tell-all or reality show cameo. The Kardashian clan has a history of integrating personal drama into their television empire, and the Biebers' star power could boost ratings if they choose to participate.
In recent months, Bieber has also faced repeated rumors surrounding his marriage to model Hailey Bieber, fueled in part by viral snapshots showing the singer looking gaunt and hollow-eyed in New York. Observers picked up on his changed appearance, prompting whispers on social media that the couple might have spent Christmas apart. Hailey appeared to push back against such speculation, posting a cryptic image on Instagram where a man repeats the phrase: "You're not well, and it's OK."
Fans also point to Bieber's unsettled relationship with some of his longtime associates, including manager Scooter Braun, who famously discovered the Canadian singer in 2008. Reports that Bieber had severed business ties with Braun contributed to the chatter about a possible personal crisis. To add to the swirl of theories, a statement from Bieber and Hailey's representatives recently insisted that the star is not using illegal drugs. They described the relentless focus on his physical appearance as "exhausting and pitiful," reiterating that he has been focused on fatherhood and new music.
Discussions of Bieber's past relationship with Combs have resurfaced in light of the latter's legal troubles. Old footage shows a teenage Bieber spending time with Diddy, who was recorded saying, "He's having 48 hours with Diddy... but what we're doing we can't really disclose. But it's definitely a 15-year-old's dream." For some fans, those words now evoke discomfort, given the allegations against the rap mogul. Another clip, referenced by Khloe Kardashian, revealed a party at Diddy's home that was "rowdy," with "half the people there were butt naked," raising questions about how Bieber may have been exposed to more adult content at a young age.
In the midst of these resurfaced controversies, Bieber's musical output has significantly slowed. While he featured on select collaborations after releasing his studio album Justice in 2021, fans have been left in the dark about his next full project, which sources say might not arrive until 2025. Despite the hush around his career, he occasionally pops up on other artists' tracks, including a remix with SZA, and The Kid Laroi's chart-topping "Stay."
Insiders note that the excitement over Bieber's recent fatherhood-he and Hailey reportedly welcomed their first child seven months ago-could be overshadowed by the ongoing drama. Some have attributed his gaunt look to sleepless nights and typical stresses of new parenthood. Still, the singer's emotional fragility connected to the Combs scandal seems to linger, especially as Diddy awaits trial. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, and his legal team has fiercely denied any wrongdoing.
Bieber's supporters remain concerned about the pop star's mental state. The entertainer, once regarded as a teen icon with unstoppable energy, has been showing signs of strain. A source confided, Bieber was ”in a hard place mentally," adding that the constant wave of press around Combs' case and questions about Bieber's own marriage have him on edge. Whether or not Kris Jenner manages to recruit him for a revealing reality TV segment, it appears that the complicated entanglements of Bieber's past and present are continuing to shape his public image.
