Justin Bieber has officially addressed the swirling speculation that he was one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ victims.
In a statement to TMZ on Thursday, a representative for the 31-year-old ‘Baby’ singer made it clear: “Although Justin is not among Sean Combs’ victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him.”
The rep added, “Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve.”
The comment comes as social media continues to unearth and dissect old footage of Bieber and Combs from over a decade ago, clips that include suggestive remarks and ambiguous behavior during the pop star’s teenage years.
One resurfaced video from 2009 shows the pair standing beside a car outside a house, with Diddy telling the then-15-year-old: “You ever seen the movie 48 Hrs? Right now [Justin is] having 48 hours with Diddy, him and his boy…they’re having the times of their lives, like where we hanging out and what we’re doing we can’t really disclose”.
Combs says that he was “given custody” of Bieber and noted: “You know, he’s signed to Usher and I had legal guardianship of Usher when he did his first album. I did Usher’s first album. For the next 48 hours, he’s with me. And we’re gonna go full. Buck full crazy.”
The ‘Never Say Never’ hitmaker says, “Let’s go get some girls,” when Diddy asks what he wants to do. “Man after my heart,” the rapper responds. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
Another bizarre interaction from 2011 showed the music mogul seemingly “warning” the ‘One Time’ musician while talking about their “friendship” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2011.
“I think that we have become friends in a strange way,” Combs said when the host asked about their relationship. Bieber quipped: “It’s like Rob & Big,” referencing skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and his bodyguard, Christopher “Big Black” Boykin.
“I’m Big and you’re Rob,” the then-teenager continued, to which Combs said: “He’s, to a lot of us, he’s like a little brother. He’s not afraid to call and ask for advice. He’s somebody that industry-wise, the record industry is a strong family.
“He’s somebody that we definitely have our arms around and we wanna protect him because he’s genuinely such a nice person besides his talents,” he praised. “He’s one of the greatest kids you could ever know.”
The ‘Boyfriend’ singer then reached out to shake hands with Combs as the two laughed and pointed to one another.
“You know, Diddy bought his son a Bentley, maybe he could buy you one also while you’re at it,” Kimmel interjected, to which Bieber revealed: “He got me a Lamborghini… I haven’t gotten it yet, though.”
“When is that coming? That Lamborghini,” the talk show host asked. “We talked about this last time.”
“He had the Lamborghini for a day or two, and he had access to the house,” Combs said, before seemingly cautioning the young star: “And he knows better than to be talking about the things that he does with big brother Puff on national television. Everything ain’t for everybody.”
Sources told TMZ these interactions were strictly “performative,” emphasizing there was no relationship beyond Diddy’s connection with Bieber’s friends, including his sons. They insisted Diddy never sexually or otherwise abused Bieber.
Meanwhile, far more serious allegations have been taking center stage in a Manhattan courtroom. The 55-year-old’s ex-girlfriend, Cassie, real name Casandra Ventura, has been delivering harrowing testimony against him, detailing years of abuse, blackmail, and sexual coercion.
On May 14, she resumed testimony by recounting a violent episode at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles on March 5, 2016 – just two days before the premiere of her film The Perfect Match.
She told jurors Diddy hit her in the face, forcing her to wear oversized sunglasses at the event “to cover up my eye.” Photos shown in court captured visible bruising on her shoulder and shin during the premiere and afterparty, where she appeared alongside Diddy and stars like Queen Latifah.
In text messages, she pleaded with him beforehand: “I have a premiere on Monday for the biggest thing of my life.”
Jurors also saw text messages from March 2016 in which Cassie and Diddy discussed planning a “freak offs” – a term Cassie said referred to sex parties where she was coerced into sleeping with other men under the influence of drugs. Video from that same month later surfaced publicly, showing Combs physically attacking her.
Cassie testified she endured years of “freak offs” out of fear that Combs would hurt her or leak private footage. “I can’t carry the shame, the guilt,” she said. “I was guided to treat people like they were disposable,” per Sky News.
Combs was arrested in September 2024 and now faces multiple charges, including sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy.
Federal authorities allege he ran a violent operation that spanned two decades – abusing, threatening, and coercing victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024, The Independent. He has denied all allegations. His legal team insists that all encounters were consensual.
Last year, Cassie filed a lawsuit accusing her ex-partner of a campaign of violence that included beatings, sexual abuse, and emotional manipulation.
Combs paid $20 million to settle, but the ‘Me & U’ songstress said it wasn’t about silence, it was about survival. “I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control,” she said, per CBS News.
Her attorney, Douglas Wigdor, praised her courage: “I am very proud of Ms. Ventura for having the strength to go public with her lawsuit. She ought to be commended for doing so.”
