Sean Combs, famously known as P. Diddy, is an R&B artist, rapper, record producer and executive. He gained attention from his record label ‘Bad Boy Records’, signing numerous rappers and R&B artists in the year 1993. Four years later after his record label, P. Diddy faced widespread acclaim and success after the release of his debut studio album titled “No Way Out”, peaking on the Billboard 200. Meeting Hollywood’s biggest stars like Jennifer Lopez, Leonardo DiCaprio, Paris Hilton and even singing with artists like Usher, Beyoncé, etc., P. Diddy had everything: a loving family, earning 130 million annually from his record label, expensive cars and four homes. But there’s a saying ‘Never meet your idol’ because there’s more than what meets the eye of P. Diddy.
For Decades, Combs had played a façade to the public to protect his reputation. In the background, Combs created a criminal enterprise with the influence of his multi-faceted business, resources and his employees that worked for him. Combs kept people quiet by threatening to cut off the people, leveraging his financial support and bribing bystanders to silence their voice on his abusive action.
Crystal McKinney, a fashion model , stated that she was laced with a substance from a joint that was given to her.
“Combs pressured her to continue smoking and drinking causing her to be more intoxicated which Combs took advantage of,” NPR music reporter, Isabella Gomez Sarmiento stated.
After that incident, McKinney claimed that Combs derailed her career by having her blackballed, rejected . This caused McKinney to spiral out of control leading her to an empty hole of despair traumatized by Comb’s assault in the early 2000’s. McKinney expected to give her support to make it to the big leads from Comb but he lied and got her excluded . Many women experienced similar experiences with Combs but what about his staff?
“I would consider mental abuse, with how he spoke to us as employees. Mr. Combs’ demanding and hostile approach made it impossible for anyone to challenge him,” stated anonymous ex-workers of Combs to The Daily Beast.
Combs also ordered around his employees to help out with his abusive attacks by luring the victim– which happened to Casandra Ventura, an ex-girlfriend of Combs, when she escaped from him. The staff watched the beatings of Ventura by Combs, no one able to speak in fear he would turn his anger to them.
“Before the charges on P. Diddy, I listened to a couple of his songs. I was influenced by my parents to listen to P. Diddy. My favorite song used to be “Mo Money Mo Problems” but after I learned of the charges on P. Diddy I removed his playlist from my Spotify account,” stated Jordan Carillo, a freshman at CHS.
When legal challenges are being faced by figures like Combs, it’s important to understand the seriousness of the charges and the victims. When people dismiss such crimes committed, it will influence other people to treat the matter as a joke.
“Treating the situation as a laughing matter isn’t being mature but down right rude. [These] crimes aren’t only being committed by P. Diddy but across the globe. People should understand the gravity of the charges and give respect to the victims that were too scared to come forward and speak against P. Diddy,” said freshmen Amber Nguyen,
On social media, people tend to be more of a mockery side instead of empathy with the situation of Comb’s case.
“I find it peculiar that when the public learned of P-Diddy’s accusations of multiple criminal charges, social media downplayed the victims’ side with jokes. Idolizing P. Diddy to grab the attention and approval of others to fit in.” freshmen Aiden Nguyen said.
Combs being charged with bribery, sexual assault, abuse in workplace, financial threats and criminal charges is a matter to be taken seriously. Big or small, these types of situations should not be joked about. Not everyone is perfect, and there’s more than what meets the eye of the ‘talented.’
