Latest news with #TheLoveAlbum:OfftheGrid
Toronto Star
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Justin Bieber not a victim of Sean ‘Diddy' Combs, rep tells TMZ
A representative for Justin Bieber said the pop star is not a victim of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, as the high profile sex trafficking trial of the hip hop mogul continues in New York. 'Although Justin is not among Sean Combs' victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him,' the statement shared with TMZ read. 'Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve.' Combs, 55, is accused using his status as a powerful music executive to force women into sex trafficking and abuse at drug-fuelled parties. Prosecutors allege Combs violently forced his ex-girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, and other women into marathon encounters with sex workers, called 'freak-offs,' which sometimes lasted for days. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Combs insists all the sexual encounters were was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs, who has been in custody since September, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he faces at least 15 years in prison. For months, Bieber, 31, was the subject of online speculation suggesting that he might have been harmed by Combs. Following Bieber's meteoric rise in the late 2000s, the teen idol often appeared publicly alongside the mogul. Sean 'Diddy' Combs' former girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, told a jury Tuesday that the music mogul abused and sexually exploited her for years, as she took the witness stand for the first time during his sex trafficking trial in New York. Sighing heavily and pausing to compose herself, Cassie recounted feeling compelled by Combs to participate in lengthy 'freak off' sex parties involving male sex workers. She said Combs assaulted her numerous times during their turbulent relationship. (AP Video / May 13, 2025) The two appear to have first met shortly after Bieber signed with Usher and Scooter Braun's label in 2008, when the Ontario-born singer was just 14. In a video shared by Bieber to YouTube, Combs is seen showing off his Lamborghini. In another video that surfaced from 2010, Combs tells Bieber he's been acting 'different,' adding, 'You ain't been calling me and hanging out the way we used to hang out.' In 2011, the pair appeared together on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!,' where they were asked about how they met. Combs said that they met 'in a strange way,' adding, 'We wanna protect him because he's genuinely such a nice person besides his talents.' Bieber and Combs reportedly maintained their friendship over the years, and most recently collaborated on a song featured on Combs' 2023 album 'The Love Album: Off the Grid.' Bieber has not spoken publicly about his relationship with Combs' since the mogul's arrest last September, though the Daily Mail reported that a source close to the singer said he was 'so disturbed by the Diddy news and is unwilling to process it or discuss it so he has shut off.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW On Thursday, less than a week after Combs' trial began, TMZ quoted 'multiple sources in Justin's life' who said that Combs 'never sexually or otherwise abused Bieber.' The sources added that Bieber's public appearances with Combs over the years were 'performative,' and claimed that Bieber was actually friends with Combs' sons. Entertainment Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial: Why potential jurors were asked to identify celebrity names, including Mike Myers, Michael B. Jordan and Kid Cudi Richie Assaly Cassie speaks at Combs' trial Combs' trial got underway this week after a jury was selected at a court in Manhattan. On Thursday, Cassie was pressed to read aloud her own explicit messages to Combs, including texts that showed her expressing desire for the drug-fuelled group sex she previously testified left her traumatized. Lawyers for Combs sought to portray Cassie to the jury as a willing and eager participant in the music mogul's sexual lifestyle. Combs has pleaded not guilty to federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges. His defence says that, while he could be violent, nothing he did amounted to a criminal enterprise. Messages between Combs and Cassie — both romantic and lurid — were the focus of the fourth day of testimony in a Manhattan courtroom. Defence attorney Anna Estevao read what Combs wrote, while Cassie recited her own messages about what she wanted to do during the freak-offs. Cassie's testimony will resume Friday. With files from the Associated Press.
International Business Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- International Business Times
Justin Bieber Finally Breaks His Silence and Says He Was Never a Victim of 'Diddy' as Music Mogul Faces Sex-Trafficking Trial
Justin Bieber has broken his silence and said that he was never a victim of accused sex abuser Sean "Diddy" Combs amid rumors connecting him to the disgraced music mogul just days after his sex trafficking trial began. Diddy helped Bieber launch is music career when he was just 15 years old. The rapper, 55, has been accused of multiple disturbing crimes, raising fears among fans that Bieber, 31, might have been sexually abused by Diddy during his early music career. A resurfaced video from last year, which many found unsettling, showed Combs spending "48 hours" with a then-underage Bieber. Bieber and Combs had also worked together on an album. Clearing All Doubts The troubled pop star issued a statement on Thursday, clearly saying that he was never a victim of the rapper. "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 of Bieber told TMZ in a statement on Thursday night. Several sources close to the "Never Say Never" singer also told the publication that Diddy never abused Bieber in any way — sexually or otherwise — tamping down growing online rumors amid Combs' ongoing sex trafficking trial this week. Regarding the videos showing Diddy and Bieber together, sources said that their interactions were merely for show, noting that Bieber was actually closer to Diddy's sons than to Sean himself. Shortly after Combs was arrested in New York on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering — allegations he has denied — a source spoke to the Daily Mail about how Bieber responded to the news. "Bieber is so disturbed by the Diddy news and is unwilling to process it or discuss it so he has shut off." The source told the outlet, "So many people who helped to make him who he is were very close to Diddy and it has completely thrown him. Justin hasn't been responding on this since the home raids. He's not going to." Bieber Regrets Working with Combs The source also revealed that the singer later regretted collaborating with Combs on his 2023 project, "The Love Album: Off the Grid." "He had a long break from Diddy when he believes most of this took place and he had distanced himself from him." "He was featured on Diddy's most recent album, and had he known any of this, there is no way he would have done it," the source added. An old video also resurfaced last year, showing Combs and Bieber spending "48 hours" together. In the footage, the two are seen side by side as Diddy says, "He's having 48 hours with Diddy, where we hanging out and what we're doing we can't really disclose. But it's definitely a 15-year-old's dream." He added, "I have been given custody of him. He's signed to Usher and I had legal guardianship of Usher when he did his first album. "I don't have legal guardianship of him [Bieber] but for the next 48 hours he's with me and we're gonna go full crazy." In recent months, fans have become increasingly worried about the "Yummy" singer due to his disheveled appearance, apparent drug use, and often confusing or incoherent posts on social media.
Metro
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Justin Bieber addresses Sean 'Diddy' Combs allegations and calls for 'justice'
Justin Bieber has finally spoken out about rumours connecting him to Sean 'Diddy' Combs. The 31-year-old pop star has responded after widespread concern from fans that he could have been abused by the 55-year-old disgraced rapper during the Love Yourself singer's early years in the music industry. In 2024, a video resurfaced showing Justin – who was a minor at the time – hanging out with Combs for '48 hours', while the pair collaborated on an album. On Thursday, days after Combs' sex trafficking trial began, Bieber's spokesperson released a statement addressing the situation. They told TMZ: '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.' Combs' trial started in New York on Monday, as he faces charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. More Trending He has denied all allegations, and could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted. Combs aided in Justin's path to fame, having been a mentor to Usher who signed the Canadian singer at just 14 after Scooter Braun discovered him. An insider previously told Us Weekly he 'wants to protect himself' and is 'completely disgusted' by the allegations. The pair collaborated as recently as 2023, with Justin appearing on Diddy's The Love Album: Off the Grid record which also had features from the Weeknd, French Montana, Mary J. Blige, and John Legend. This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates. If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Ana de Armas giddy speaking about Tom Cruise for first time as dating rumours fly MORE: Lorde says she's 'in the middle gender-wise'as she opens up on identity MORE: Rock band cancels tour after drummer hauled off plane and detained by US border control
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Justin Bieber breaks silence on Diddy allegations amid sex trafficking trial
Chatter linked Justin Bieber to the explosive Sean Combs - P Diddy - trial, held as the rapper is accused of a string of depraved crimes, including racketeering conspiracy Troubled singer Justin Bieber has insisted he was not targeted by rapper P Diddy. Bieber, whose had four UK number ones, said widespread fears shared by fans he was a victim of the music mogul "detracts [focus] from the justice these victims rightfully deserve" in a statement released on Thursday. It came in response to speculation the singer, 31, may have been abused by Diddy during his early years in the music industry - although this is not an allegation for which the rapper stands trial. A video of the pair resurfaced last year and was described by some Bieber fans as "disturbing". It showed Combs and Bieber, who was a minor at the time, hanging out for "48 hours". The pair also worked together on Diddy's album The Love Album: Off the Grid, released in September 2023. But the spokesperson for Bieber said in a statement, published by TMZ, reads: "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." Sources also informed TMZ on Thursday the Coming Home rapper never abused Bieber in any way. The insiders stated the interactions in the video were simply "performative" - and explained Bieber was closer to the rapper's sons rather than Combs, who is 24 years his senior. Combs, who has won three Grammy Awards, was last year arrested in the state of New York on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, which he has denied. Bieber was reportedly "so disturbed by the Diddy news". A source told Mail Online at the time: "Bieber is so disturbed by the Diddy news and is unwilling to process it or discuss it so he has shut off... So many people who helped to make him who he is were very close to Diddy and it has completely thrown him. Justin hasn't been responding on this since the home raids. He's not going to. He was featured on Diddy's most recent album, and had he known any of this, there is no way he would have done it." The arrest came just one year after The Love Album: Off the Grid was released. It quickly became Diddy's fifth top ten on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. But now the 55-year-old star stands trial in New York City, accused of a number of charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution. The father of seven denies each of these. Proceedings on Thursday heard P Diddy, whose debut album No Way Out sold more than seven million copies in the US alone, allegedly threatened Cassie Ventura during their 11-year relationship.
Mint
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs trial timeline: A look at key events, allegations and charges against the musician
Witnesses started testifying against hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs in New York on May 12. Combs is facing charges of sex trafficking, and racketeering. Combs, who has pleaded not guilty, could face life in prison if convicted of all five felony counts, according to news agency Reuters. – In 2023, barely a month after Combs released a new album 'The Love Album: Off the Grid", his former girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura accused him of raping and physically abusing her. She filed a lawsuit against Combs on November 16, claiming that he inflicted years of emotional abuse on her and sought to control all aspects of her personal life, according to the lawsuit she filed in federal court in New York, the Reuters report said. – On November 17, 2023, Combs and Ventura agreed to settle the lawsuit. – However, on November 23, 2023, two more women, Joi Dickerson-Neal and Liza Gardner, accuse Combs of sexual assaults. – More accusers come forward on December 6, 2023. – On March 25, 2024, Combs' homes in Los Angeles and the Miami area are searched by federal agents as part of sex trafficking investigation, the report said. – A 2016 video of Combs kicking and dragging Ventura is released by CNN on May 17, 2024. – On March 19, 2024, Combs apologises to Ventura for physically assaulting her. – In September, 2024, Singer Dawn Richard, a former member of the musical group Danity Kane, filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of sexual battery, sexual harassment, and false imprisonment, among other allegations, a CNN report said. Richard even claims to be an eyewitness to Combs 'brutally beating' Ventura. Sean Diddy Combs, left, stands as his defense attorney, Teny Geragos, gives her opening statement to the jury on the first day of trial in Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 12, 2025, in New York. – On September 16, 2024, just a week after Richard's lawsuit, Combs is arrested in New York City after a jury voted to indict him on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution in incidents dating back to 2008, according to the CNN report. – Two days later, on September 18, 2024, Combs appeal against his detention is heard. Prosecutors ask the judges to keep the music mogul behind bars, telling the court he has attempted to tamper with witnesses. Combs is detained ahead of trial and has been held in a federal detention facility in Brooklyn ever since. – Federal prosecutors file superseding indictment against Combs on January 30, 2025. – On March 14, 2025, Combs pleads not guilty in court. – On April 4, 2025, federal prosecutors add two new counts of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution related to 'Victim-2' that they allege occurred between 2021 and 2024, the report said. – Ten days later, Combs pleads not guilty to these two counts as well. – On April 25, 2025, Federal judge Arun Subramanian rules footage of Combs physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, will be shown to the jury at his trial, the report added. Combs rejects a plea deal. – On May 5, 2025, jury selection for Combs' trial begins. Combs has pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, an AP report said. Prosecutors allege Combs used his 'power and prestige' as a music star to induce female victims into drugged-up, elaborately produced sexual performances with male sex workers in events dubbed 'freak offs.' They say he coerced and abused women with help from a network of associates and employees while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings, the report added.
