Terrence Howard, the Oscar-nominated actor known for his roles in Empire and Hustle & Flow, alleged during a recent interview that Sean "Diddy" Combs once made an unwanted advance toward him under the pretense of requesting acting lessons.
While appearing on the "PBD Podcast" with host Patrick Bet-David, Howard recounted an encounter in which he was invited to Diddy's residence for what he was told would be an acting session. Howard said that once he arrived, Diddy had no script or material to work on and instead just "stared at me."
Howard said Diddy later asked to hear some of his music but continued to sit silently without offering feedback. The actor told Bet-David he was confused by the mogul's behavior, and that his assistant later alleged that Diddy was "trying to f***" him.
"Now you know to be hands-off with somebody," Howard said, describing his reaction to the encounter. He added that this was not the first time he had encountered inappropriate behavior in the industry. "When you approach a real man about his masculinity, you're going to get a real reaction back."
Howard told the host that he has turned down offers and lost work due to his refusal to compromise his values. "I've lost businesses because I don't bend over in that way. I don't compromise. I don't play gay roles. I don't kiss a man. I don't do that sh-t because the man card means everything," he said.
Howard did not provide a specific timeline for the alleged incident. A representative for Diddy has not commented on the allegations.
The claims come as Diddy faces mounting legal challenges. In April, federal prosecutors added new sex trafficking charges to a growing indictment. According to court documents, Diddy allegedly "recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, advertised, maintained, patronized and solicited" individuals to engage in commercial sex acts.
Diddy's legal team responded to the new charges by stating, "These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion."
The allegations also follow a 2023 CNN report that aired security footage appearing to show Diddy chasing and assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel. In response, Diddy's legal representatives accused CNN of altering and editing the footage and destroying the original file. They stated, "CNN purchased the only known copy of the Hotel's surveillance footage, uploaded that footage into a free editing software, altered the video, and then destroyed the original footage."
Howard's accusations have surfaced against this backdrop of growing scrutiny into Combs' alleged behavior within the entertainment industry. The actor's remarks also reference prior tensions between Diddy and the Empire team. A Page Six report claimed Diddy once pulled his son from appearing on the series after a disagreement over music rights.
