Latest news with #BadBoy
Black America Web
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
D.L. Hughley Rips 'Morally Bankrupt' Fans For Celebrating Diddy Verdict
Source: Michael S. Schwartz / Getty The moment Sean 'Diddy' Combs was found not guilty on the most serious charges in his sex trafficking and racketeering trial, we all should have expected social media to become an annoying place. We should have known the 'Free Tory' segment of the Black manosphere , as well as the same Black people who are still caping for R. Kelly and Bill Cosby, would erupt in celebration over what they consider vindication for the disgraced Bad Boy mogul. (I'm looking at you, Ray J and Boosie Badazz.) This is why it's gratifying to hear at least one Black male celebrity speak out against celebrations of the Diddy verdict. During a recent sit-down with TMZ, comedian D.L. Hughley expressed that while he doesn't believe Combs was guilty of everything he was charged with, people should be celebrating justice — if they truly think justice is what happened here — not the verdict itself. Hughley appears to be of the opinion that Diddy was overcharged, but he also acknowledged that the trial revealed 'stuff that is amoral.' 'I think that it's clear that Puffy wasn't charged for the things he did. He was charged in this vague, amorphous…the judge even during the trial, you could see he was having a hard time buying it,' Hughley explained. 'I think it shows two things: money will buy a great defense. I think if he's charged and he has a public defender, he's convicted.' 'They didn't charge him for domestic abuse. They charged him for all of these terms that they just couldn't prove,' he continued. As for the people who are celebrating Diddy's victory in court, Hughley didn't bother mincing words in explaining, essentially, that those people are trash. 'I think there are people who are morally bankrupt. I say that all the time,' he said. 'Even if Puffy wasn't convicted of the most serious [crimes], he still whooped a woman in front of everybody,' Hughley continued. 'Now he wasn't charged for that, and the feds wouldn't charge him for that. Obviously, the feds wouldn't be involved in something like that. But it speaks to who we are as a society. Even if he's not guilty of the crimes charged, he is a horrible dude. I can root for a man to get justice, that's different than celebrating this verdict. They're two different things.' Look, D.L. Hughley is not a legal expert — nor are most of the people who were in the streets acting like the ghost of Nelson Mandela was just freed from prison — but he seems to understand basic humanity perfectly well. So, there's that. See social media's reaction to the verdict below. SEE ALSO D.L. Hughley Rips 'Morally Bankrupt' Fans For Celebrating Diddy Verdict was originally published on
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs gets standing ovation behind bars, sees 20% music spike, and rakes in millions with wild side hustle
Sean 'Diddy' Combs is set to be convicted on October 3, after being acquitted of the more serious charges he was originally accused of, including racketeering and sex trafficking, which the jury dismissed due to lack of evidence. As the disgraced music mogul remains behind Brooklyn bars, his bail denied, waiting for Judge Arun Subramanian to expedite the process, here's a look at how his wealth is holding up on the outside. Diddy, who once ruled the music game with his big, brash Bad Boy empire and launched several pop icons, still sits on a mountain of wealth, even as most of it now hangs in the balance pending the final ruling. Combs returned to the Metropolitan Detention Centre after the judge reminded his attorney, Marc Agnifilo, that he had 'full-throatedly told the jury that there was violence here. And domestic violence is violence. And you said this is a case that did involve violence,' according to CNN. Later, a spokesperson told the outlet that the rapper received a standing ovation when he made his way back to jail following the criminal trial that week. Prosecutors, on the other hand, are still prepping for a stronger comeback, accusing Combs of running a criminal enterprise involving threats, violence, forced labour, bribery, and more. Though experts suggest the absence of others allegedly involved, and Combs being the only one on the defence bench, may have given the jury just enough room for doubt. Also read: American pop star's desi wedding in India had Diddy performing with classical dancer, Rihanna as maid of honor; it ended in divorce over a text Way before Diddy was arrested following a DHS raid on his Miami mansion, the rapper had already started pulling back from his biggest business ventures. He stepped down as CEO of Revolt TV, which he founded in 2012, and later lost his Hulu deal to renew his iconic fashion brand Sean John. After Cassie filed a lawsuit last year accusing him of sexual violence, one that was later withdrawn after an out-of-court settlement, a CNN video surfaced showing Combs assaulting her. That clip was enough for New York City to revoke his ceremonial key and for Peloton to pull his music. Before things went south, Combs' Bad Boy Records was still very much in the game. In 2023, he dropped The Love Album: Off the Grid, his first solo project in two decades, and also released The Age of Pleasure, both bagging Grammy nominations. The label's still running, even as the legal storm continues to drive the label into loss. His son, King Combs, and close friend Kanye West recently dropped a track called 'Never Stop'. Also read: Who is Sean 'Diddy' Combs, acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges Despite all the legal heat, Diddy's still cashing in. His tracks continue to stream on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. According to CNN, between April and May, right in the middle of his legal trial, his music actually saw a 20% spike in U.S. streaming, one of the biggest monthly jumps of the year, per Luminate. And it doesn't stop there. He's still pulling in millions while sitting in court. As reported by The Sun, since his arrest on September 16, Diddy has made around $4.1 million. A big chunk of that comes from his private jet, a Gulfstream G550 registered to his company, LoveAir LLC. The jet, rented out through Siever Air, has reportedly been sued by clients at least 126 times as of May 20. But that hasn't stopped it from flying. With luxury interiors and high-end service, customers have been paying around $32,597 for just a 1,186-mile trip.
Black America Web
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Cassie's Lawyer Praises Singer's Courage After Diddy Verdict: 'She Paved The Way'
Source: Neilson Barnard / Getty Despite Sean 'Diddy' Combs being acquitted of the more serious charges, Cassie Ventura's lawyer praised his clients bravery in helping this court get to trial even if the outcome isn't what they hoped for. 'This entire criminal process started when our client Cassie Ventura had the courage to file her civil complaint in November 2023,' Douglas H. Wigdor wrote in a statement published by Newsweek . 'Although the jury did not find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond a reasonable doubt, she paved the way for a jury to find him guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution.' Wigdor wanted people to remember that Cassie created a safe space for those who were also alleged victims of the Bad Boy founder to feel safe to come forward with their reported stories of abuse. While Diddy was not found guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking, he was convicted of two lesser prostitution charges and could face up to 20 years in prison, although several legal analysts find it hard to believe the 'Take That' ad-libber will get anything close to double digits. Wigdor noted that Ventura's decision to take the stand and face her abuser in court will help other sexual abuse victims. 'By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice,' Wigdor's statement read. 'We must repeat — with no reservation — that we believe and support our client who showed exemplary courage throughout this trial.' 'She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion,' Wigdor's statement read. 'This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors.' The singer made her allegations public in November 2023, accusing her Diddy of rape, coercion and years of physical abuse in a civil suit, that was quickly settled. SEE ALSO Cassie's Lawyer Praises Singer's Courage After Diddy Verdict: 'She Paved The Way' was originally published on
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Celebrities rally in support for Cassie Ventura after Diddy's verdict
Kesha and many other celebrities have rallied in support of Cassie Ventura as her former boss and ex-boyfriend Sean Diddy Combs received a not guilty verdict after she testified against him American rapper-turned-mogul, Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been convicted on two charges of transportation for prostitution of former employee and ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura and another, unnamed woman, after a highly-publicised eight-week trial. The Bad Boy record label exec was acquitted of three more severe charges faced, including two counts of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Cassie Ventura accused Diddy of sexual assault and abuse in November 2023, before further details emerged of an alleged sex trafficking operation the 55-year-old rapper headed. Thirty-eight-year-old Cassie detailed horrific abuse she allegedly faced at the hands of her former boss, such as being forced to take part in drug-fuelled orgies that Combs infamously dubbed 'freak-offs," as well as physical abuse. The court was shown CCTV footage, from 2016, of Diddy violently attacking Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. Despite this and other evidence presented by the prosecution team, Combs evaded the lengthier charges. A number of celebrities, some of whom are abuse survivors themselves, have come forward in support of Ms Ventura following the verdict. Kesha Kesha expressed her support for Cassie on social media, posting on X: 'Cassie, I believe you. I love you. Your strength is a beacon for every survivor.' For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. The singer, who is the same age as Ventura, previously accused music producer and collaborator, Lukasz Gottwald, or 'Dr. Luke', of rape in 2014. Kesha fought for the termination of her contract with him, alleging he had "sexually, physically, verbally, and emotionally abused," her "to the point where [she] nearly lost her life". Gottwald has always denied the claims, and, in 2023, a settlement was reached between the pair. Rosie O'Donnell 'I guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion," comedian Rosie O'Donnell shared on Instagram following the Diddy verdict. She added: "Wow - they just think women stay because what? Money - fame - 'they love the abuse' - what a f****** joke - this decision got me angry #cassie." Evan Rachel Wood Elsewhere, actress Evan Rachel Wood, who accused her former partner Marilyn Manson of grooming and sexual abuse in 2021, which he denies, voiced her support for Cassie, too. 'There is no consent in a domestic violence relationship. Period,' she wrote. 'Once the threat of violence is there, you comply. You do not consent. It is self-preservation and survival. It is not freely or willingly given. It is forced and coerced out of you. We clearly have a long way to go in our understanding of this.' Aubrey O'Day Aubrey O'Day is a former member of Danity Kane, a group signed to Diddy's Bad Boy Records label. She has claimed she was fired from this role because she refused to do things "in other areas," under Combs' management. She too posted her support of Cassie. 'The cultural weight of this decision is immeasurable. It is heartbreaking to witness how many lives have been impacted by their experiences with Sean Combs - only for those stories to fall short in the eyes of a jury. "I can only hope these jurors never have to watch someone they love endure what so many survivors have described. My heart is with Cassie. A woman who could've had a life and career free of fear and control. A woman who told her truth in a courtroom, only to have the world dissect her credibility instead of her courage. 'Let's be clear: the courtroom operates by the law, but that DOES NOT mean it delivers justice.'
Black America Web
04-07-2025
- Black America Web
Diddy Please: Yes, You're A Bozo For Cheering For Sean Combs
Source: WENN / WENN So, the verdict is in. Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been acquitted of the most serious federal charges—racketeering and sex trafficking—but was found guilty on two lesser charges: transportation of former girlfriends for prostitution. While some in his corner are calling this a 'victory,' there's nothing victorious about a man found guilty of exploiting the women who loved and supported him, women that he coerced to live a lifestyle they truly weren't into. There's no parade coming for a predator and if you're out here cheering for Diddy like he just beat the system, then congratulations—you're officially a bozo. Despite the dramatic shift in charges for the conviction, Combs will remain in custody until his sentencing this fall, with prosecutors seeking a four to five-year prison sentence. Many have taken to social media to express their opinion on the verdict. What's wild is how many folks have hopped online to defend him, using the same tired tropes to deflect accountability: 'They're trying to bring down another successful Black man,' or 'This is just the system at work against us.' But the reality is this: there was no grand conspiracy to take down Diddy. The man didn't try to take him down; his choices did. What happened here was the slow collapse of a long-standing, heavily curated illusion. He is a predator who should have gotten locked up and should remain behind bars for the years of domestic violence he inflicted upon a young woman he literally groomed—but there's no outrage. His supporters aren't considering the fact that despite his legal clearance, we all saw the video. The brutal surveillance footage of Diddy attacking Cassie in that hotel hallway was not up for debate, interpretation, or conspiracy theorizing. It was violence—plain and simple. No editing. No agenda. Just a predator caught in the act. Yet somehow, people still find the energy to defend him, framing it as some sort of cultural persecution for his affinity for Freak-offs, when it was truly a fight for justice for people who had been silenced for too long. Diddy wasn't some misunderstood visionary unfairly targeted. He was a grown man who made calculated choices over decades—choices to groom, abuse, harass, and intimidate men and women. Just because he escaped conviction on the most severe charges doesn't mean he's innocent. It means the justice system worked as it usually does for the rich and connected; it gave him a softer landing. Still, no amount of baby oil is going to smooth over the stain on his legacy. That Bad Boy co-sign? Worthless. The industry is already keeping its distance, and even his so-called friends were nowhere to be seen during his trial, because everyone knows that association is currency, and no one wants to cash a check signed in scandal and accompanied by side eyes. Diddy's power didn't just evaporate—it was stripped from him because people finally stopped looking away. And no, this isn't the same as some of the political takedowns we've seen. Donald Trump's impunity is powered by a broken, racist system that was never designed to hold him accountable. Diddy had our culture behind him—until he abused it. Until he abused us. The most disheartening fact is that once again, folks tripped over headlines, ignoring facts and sending a message loud and clear that women aren't protected because men are out here scorned. The same energy that allowed Tory Lanez to continue harassing Megan Thee Stallion is back in full force—this time, applauding a man who was literally caught on camera assaulting his partner. The public attack with no action from these same men who love to be loud and wrong was used by the Trump campaign last election season to taint the image of then presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris, once again proving that there's a serious discussion that needs to be had among Black people and it's about standards. It's time we stop confusing 'cool' with character. Diddy is not a cultural martyr; he's a cautionary tale, and it's time our community recalibrates its standards. Somewhere along the way, we've gotten lost in this toxic pursuit of clout, cash, and assimilation. There's nothing 'corny' about Cassie's husband standing beside her during weeks of grueling public scrutiny while she was visibly pregnant. But there is something deeply corny—and frankly pathetic—about a 55-year-old mogul lying through his teeth, still pretending to be 'acting bad,' all while hiding from accountability until evidence forced his hand. At this big age, if you can't admit your wrongs and make peace with the consequences, then what are we really defending? That old 'bad boy,' 'rough-neck,' and newly rebranded 'YN' ideology is played out. We need to teach our young men to be more than performers of masculinity; they should be protectors of truth, defenders of women, and warriors for justice. We also have to teach our young women not to settle, how to support one another when faced with the challenges of coming forward, and how not to be so desperate to be desired that they throw another woman under the bus and victim-blame her for attention. As the incomparable Lauryn Hill once said: 'How you gon' win when you ain't right within?' This isn't just a Diddy issue; it's truly a culture check pointing out that the time for healing, reckoning, and real growth is now. Because if we're going to move forward as a community, it starts with holding all of us accountable, especially the ones we once called kings. SEE ALSO: There Is No Defending Diddy Why Sean Combs Was Never Going To Be Fully Held Accountable [Op-Ed] SEE ALSO Diddy Please: Yes, You're A Bozo For Cheering For Sean Combs was originally published on
