Sean "Diddy" Combs appeared in a New York City courtroom on Friday, visibly graying and bloated, as he pleaded not guilty to new sex trafficking and forced labor charges. The music mogul, once known for his confident, polished public image, looked markedly different, prompting speculation about his health ahead of a highly anticipated trial.
Combs, 55, is facing allegations from three separate victims, spanning a period from 2004 to 2024. The latest charges, unsealed at Manhattan federal court, include accusations of sex trafficking, forced labor, and racketeering. Prosecutors allege that Combs coerced employees into working long hours under threat of retaliation and maintained a broader sex-trafficking scheme tied to his businesses.
Judge Arun Subramanian has scheduled Combs' trial to begin on May 12, with jury selection commencing a week earlier on May 5. Diddy has remained incarcerated at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Correctional Center since September 2024 while awaiting trial.
Courtroom observers noted the stark change in the rapper's appearance. CBS New York reporter Alice Gainer remarked on X, "Combs walked into courtroom sporting grey hair and a grey beard." New York Post journalist Kyle Schnitzer, who also attended the hearing, described Combs as looking "bloated."
Sketches released from inside the courtroom further emphasized his aging appearance, showing him seated in a tan prison jumpsuit, with gray streaks visible in his hair and beard. The entertainer reportedly appeared relaxed during the session, exchanging smiles and gestures with family members who were present in support.
After the brief hearing, Combs stood up, hugged his attorney, and blew a two-handed kiss toward his mother, Janice Combs, and other family members seated in the gallery. He was then escorted back to the Brooklyn correctional facility, where he has been held since last fall.
Reports have surfaced regarding Combs' conditions behind bars, particularly the impact of the prison diet on his health. In November 2024, People magazine detailed the typical breakfast offerings at the facility, including oatmeal, potatoes, biscuits, and what was referred to as "breakfast cake."
Diddy's attorney, Marc Agnifilo, addressed reporters outside the courthouse in December, acknowledging the challenges his client has faced while incarcerated. "I think the food's probably the roughest part of it," Agnifilo stated at the time.
The current charges add to mounting legal troubles for the Bad Boy Records founder, who has already faced multiple lawsuits and criminal investigations over alleged misconduct. The superseding indictment filed this month includes new claims of sexual abuse, expanding the scope of the case that has embroiled one of the most recognizable figures in the music industry.
Combs has denied all allegations. In court on Friday, when asked by Judge Subramanian if he wanted the indictment read aloud, he responded, "I'm fine."
