Pop star Justin Bieber has issued a statement denying speculation that he is among the alleged victims of disgraced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is facing a mountain of sex trafficking and abuse allegations. Bieber’s statement arrives amid growing public scrutiny due to his past association with Combs during his teenage years.
“Although Justin is not among Sean Combs’ victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him. Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve,” a spokesperson for Bieber told TMZ on Thursday. Sources close to Bieber also emphasized there was never any inappropriate conduct between Combs and the singer.
The speculation was fueled by resurfaced video clips from 2009 and 2011 showing Combs with a young Bieber. In one instance, Combs said he had “custody” of the then-15-year-old Bieber for 48 hours, calling their activities a “15-year-old’s dream.” In another appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Combs joked about Bieber not revealing what they did together, comments now seen in a more disturbing light.
People familiar with Bieber’s personal life insist these moments were performative and not indicative of an improper relationship. They also stated that Bieber’s real connection was through friendships with Combs’ sons, not through unsupervised interactions with the mogul.
Combs is currently incarcerated following a federal indictment on a range of charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, kidnapping, and obstruction of justice. He is accused of orchestrating events known as “Freak Offs,” described in court documents as multi-day parties involving commercial sex workers, forced drug use, and post-event medical intervention with IV fluids.
At least 120 additional lawsuits are expected to be filed against Combs and his associates. One of his accusers, singer Cassie Ventura, settled her case in 2023 after alleging rape and trafficking. Combs’ legal team now argues that the “Freak Offs” were part of a consensual swingers lifestyle.
Despite Bieber’s denial, the scandal continues to widen, as investigators and victims come forward with new details about Combs’ alleged decade-long reign of abuse and coercion.
