Latest news with #abuseallegations
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dharma Productions responds to abuse allegations against 'Homebound' crew
Dharma Productions, the production house behind the critically acclaimed film Homebound, has released an official statement in response to the recent abuse allegations levelled against the film's cinematographer, Pratik Shah. The allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women surfaced on social media platforms, prompting Shah to delete his Instagram account amid a backlash. To this, the production has said no formal complaints were made against Shah. "At Dharma Productions, we have a zero-tolerance policy against inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment toward any individual working with us in any capacity, and we treat sexual harassment cases very seriously," the company said in a statement. It also said that Shah, who worked as a freelance cinematographer on Homebound, was engaged for a limited duration. The production house emphasised that during this period, no complaints were filed with the internal committee established under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment guidelines. Homebound, which was the only Indian film to be featured at this year's Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, has garnered significant international attention. The film, produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, received a standing ovation after its Cannes screening. The film stars an ensemble cast, including Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who is testifying in the Diddy trial? Cassie, Kid Cudi, more who have taken the stand
Sean "Diddy" Combs' ongoing criminal trial has seen multiple insiders take the stand, including a stylist, personal assistants and music industry figures. With the federal sex-crimes case now in its fourth week, including jury selection, jurors have heard from Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura Fine, her ex Kid Cudi and several former employees, who have testified on Combs' alleged abuse and violent behavior. Various officials have also discussed the Grammy-winning rapper's alleged crimes, including his suggested involvement in a 2012 car explosion. Combs, 55, has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court has also heard testimony from Danity Kane alum Dawn Richard; Ventura Fine's mother, Regina Ventura; stylist Deonte Nash; Cassie's makeup artist Mylah Morales and former friend Kerry Morgan; Combs' former assistants Capricorn Clark, George Kaplan, David James and "Mia"; male exotic dancer Sharay Hayes and others, sharing varying degrees of Combs' alleged abuse. Here's a look at who has testified so far in the trial. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges. Casandra Ventura Fine (Cassie): Combs' former girlfriend Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi): Ventura Fine's former love interest Dawn Richard: Former Danity Kane member and Diddy – Dirty Money collaborator Regina Ventura: Ventura Fine's mother Capricorn Clark: Combs' former personal assistant and Sean John marketing director Deonte Nash: Former stylist for Combs and Ventura Fine George Kaplan: Combs' former executive assistant "Mia": Combs' former personal assistant and Revolt director of development Sharay Hayes: Former exotic dancer who allegedly had sexual encounters with Ventura Fine Kerry Morgan: Ventura Fine's former best friend David James: Combs' former personal assistant Mylah Morales: Former makeup artist for Combs and Ventura Fine Gerard Gannon: Homeland Security Investigations special agent Dawn Hughes: Psychologist and expert witness Joshua Croft: Homeland Security Investigations special agent Frédéric Zemmour: L'Ermitage Beverly Hills general manager Chris Ignacio: Los Angeles Police Department officer Lance Jimenez: an arson investigator for the Los Angeles Fire Department Obama, Britney Spears, Michael B. Jordan All the celebs mentioned during the Diddy trial Ventura Fine, as the prosecution's star witness, kicked off testimony in Combs' trial with a series of harrowing accounts about the alleged abuse she suffered during her decadelong relationship with Combs. She testified about her participation in "freak offs", a series of drug-fueled sexual performances that Combs has been accused by federal prosecutors of orchestrating, as well as Combs' alleged physical abuse and the rapper's jealousy over her relationships with other men. Cassie Ventura takes the stand: Biggest moments from her Diddy trial testimony Some of Combs' musical peers, fellow rapper Cudi and singer Richard, also took the stand and recalled various instances of Combs being violent toward Ventura Fine and those in her orbit. Cudi, who briefly dated Ventura Fine in 2011, claimed Combs broke into his Los Angeles home and blew up his car in a separate incident in retaliation. Meanwhile, several of Combs' former associates, including ex-assistants James, Kaplan and Clark, said in court that Combs repeatedly threatened them during their employment and subjected them to harsh working conditions. Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is testifying in Diddy trial? Cassie, Kid Cudi take the stand
CNN
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs timeline: The key events and allegations against the hip-hop mogul now on trial
Sean 'Diddy' Combs had just released a new album and was granted the key to New York City when he was accused of abuse and violence in a startling 2023 civil lawsuit from his former girlfriend. Combs denied the allegations, and the lawsuit was settled a day after it was filed. But the person behind that lawsuit, Cassie Ventura, is expected to soon be a key witness for the prosecution in his federal criminal trial. In nearly two years since Ventura's lawsuit, much has happened: Dozens of men and women have alleged Combs committed serious wrongdoing, CNN published a 2016 hotel surveillance video showing him physically assaulting Ventura, federal authorities conducted searches on his homes, and he was arrested and faces serious criminal charges. Now comes his criminal trial in a federal courtroom in Manhattan. It all marks a sharp downfall for Combs, 55, who founded the music label Bad Boy in 1993 and has gone by the stage names Puff Daddy and Diddy. Over his illustrious decades-long career, he earned three Grammy wins and 14 nominations, and he successfully expanded from rap into the wider culture, with forays into fashion, alcohol sales, reality TV and acting. Combs has pleaded not guilty to five counts, including one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to life in prison. To better understand what led to this moment, here's a timeline of the key events and allegations against Diddy in recent years. September 15, 2023: Diddy released 'The Love Album: Off the Grid,' his fifth studio album, featuring appearances by a who's who of the music industry, including Justin Bieber, the Weeknd and Mary J. Blige. To celebrate, New York City Mayor Eric Adams gave Diddy a symbolic key to the city. 'The Bad Boy of Entertainment is getting the key to the city from the Bad Boy of Politics,' Adams said. November 16, 2023: Combs' former girlfriend, Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, filed a lawsuit against the producer claiming he raped and physically abused her. She also claimed Combs inflicted years of emotional abuse on her and sought to control all aspects of her personal life, according to the filing in federal court in New York. The lawsuit accused Combs and other defendants of sex trafficking, human trafficking, sexual assault, gender-motivated violence, sexual harassment, gender discrimination and a hostile work environment. In particular, the suit described an altercation in a hotel hallway in March 2016 in which Combs 'grabbed at her,' beat her and threw glass vases at her. Ventura filed the suit days ahead of the November 23 expiration of the New York's Adult Survivor Act, which created a one-year window for adult survivors of sexual abuse to sue their abusers, regardless of the statute of limitations. Combs' attorney at the time, Ben Brafman, said in a statement that 'Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations' and that the suit was 'riddled with baseless and outrageous lies.' November 17, 2023: Just a day later, Combs and Ventura agreed to settle the lawsuit. Both musical artists released statements saying the matter was resolved 'amicably.' Combs' attorney, Brafman, said the settlement was 'in no way an admission of wrongdoing.' November 23, 2023: Two more women, Joi Dickerson-Neal and Liza Gardner, accused Combs of sexual assault in lawsuits filed in New York Supreme Court on the eve of the expiration of the state's Adult Survivors Act. Combs denied the accusations. December 6, 2023: After more accusers came forward, Combs wrote in an Instagram post: 'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,' he wrote. 'Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.' That post has since been removed from his Instagram feed. Only seven posts remain on his account page, most of which are photos of his children. March 25, 2024: Heavily armed teams of federal agents – some in armored vehicles and tactical gear – executed searches of Combs' homes in Los Angeles and the Miami area. The searches were carried out by Homeland Security Investigations as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation, a law enforcement source told CNN at the time. March 26, 2024: Aaron Dyer, then an attorney for Combs, criticized the raids as a 'gross overuse of military-level force.' May 17, 2024: CNN published hotel surveillance video from 2016 that showed Combs kicking and dragging Ventura. The video, taken at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, shows Combs running down a hallway after Ventura with a towel wrapped around his waist. He grabs Ventura by the back of the neck, throws her to the floor and kicks her, video shows. The video goes on to show Combs dragging Ventura on the floor and throwing an object at her. Ventura declined to comment on the video. Wigdor, an attorney for Ventura, told CNN: 'The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.' May 19, 2024: Combs released a video statement apologizing for physically assaulting Ventura in the hotel surveillance video published by CNN. 'My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,' he said. 'I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now,' he added. 'I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I'm so sorry. But I'm committed to be a better man each and every day. I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm truly sorry.' The apology video has since been removed from Combs' Instagram. May 29, 2024: CNN reported federal investigators were preparing to bring Combs' accusers before a grand jury, citing two sources familiar with the probe. Additional sources told CNN that most of the plaintiffs who had filed civil lawsuits against Combs had been interviewed by federal investigators. Some were handing over evidence they believed could assist investigators, one source said. June 10, 2024: Combs returned his symbolic key to New York City after Mayor Eric Adams sent a letter to him requesting he do so. Adams wrote that he was 'deeply disturbed' by the hotel surveillance video published by CNN. September 10, 2024: Singer Dawn Richard, a former member of the musical group Danity Kane, filed a suit accusing Combs of sexual battery, sexual harassment and false imprisonment, among other allegations. She also claims to have seen Combs 'brutally beat' Ventura while the pair were dating in the 2000s. Erica Wolff, Combs' attorney, denied the allegations in a statement to CNN. September 16, 2024: Combs was arrested in New York City after a grand jury voted to indict him on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution in incidents dating back to 2008. Combs had relocated to New York several days before the arrest in anticipation of the charges, his attorney said. Negotiations for his surrender had been ongoing, according to a source familiar with the talks. September 17, 2024: A wide-ranging indictment against Combs was unsealed and accused him of creating a 'criminal enterprise' whose members and associates engaged in and attempted to engage in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors alleged Combs perpetrated decades of abuse and coercion against women and others in his network to 'fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct,' the indictment states. In addition to allegations of physical abuse against women, prosecutors accused Combs of orchestrating extended, drug-fueled sex performances called 'Freak Offs' between victims and sex workers. The indictment stated law enforcement seized guns, ammo, drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant during searches of Combs' homes in Miami and Los Angeles in March. Combs appeared in court and pleaded not guilty. He was denied bail and Judge Robyn Tarnofsky ruled he will remain in custody as the case plays out, a decision that Combs' attorneys appealed. September 18, 2024: In a hearing appealing his detention, prosecutors asked the judge to keep Combs behind bars, telling the court he has attempted to tamper with witnesses. His defense asked the judge to release him until trial and submitted a bail package that included a $50 million bond. Judge Andrew Carter, who later recused himself from the case, sided with prosecutors and agreed to detain Combs ahead of trial. 'My bigger concern deals with the danger of obstruction of justice and the danger of witness tampering,' Carter said. He has been held in a federal detention facility in Brooklyn, New York, ever since. January 30, 2025: Federal prosecutors filed a superseding indictment against Combs, expanding the racketeering conspiracy allegations to include two new female victims. The new indictment alleged the criminal conduct goes as far back as 2004, four years earlier than the initial indictment said. March 14, 2025: A gray-haired Combs appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to the superseding indictment. April 4, 2025: In another superseding indictment, federal prosecutors added two new counts of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution related to 'Victim-2' that they allege occurred between 2021 and 2024. April 14, 2025: Combs pleaded not guilty to the two new counts. April 25, 2025: Federal judge Arun Subramanian ruled footage of Combs physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, will be shown to the jury at his trial. In addition, a prosecutor informed the judge that Combs had rejected a plea deal, though there were no further details on what it entailed. May 5, 2025: Jury selection began in Combs' federal trial in a Manhattan courtroom. The trial is expected to last several weeks. CNN's Lauren del Valle, Nicki Brown, John Miller, Alli Rosenbloom, Kristina Sgueglia, Lisa Respers France and Sandra Gonzalez contributed to this report.
CNN
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs used to be incredibly influential. Most of the people he helped to make stars aren't talking about him
TV and radio personality Big Tigger remembers a moment he had years ago with Sean 'Diddy' Combs. The DJ had connected with Combs at the music mogul's restaurant, Justin's, and a photographer captured a moment of the two men talking about life. 'I still had the picture and I had given it to my grandmother before she passed. It was a really great picture, like me and him just had a conversation about family,' Big Tigger recalled to CNN. 'He had already had some of his kids and I had told him, you know, I hadn't had any yet, and he was just talking about family and how important family was to him. And I never forgot that personal conversation.' Combs is no longer in the position to easily offer such wisdom. His federal sex-trafficking trial in Manhattan is entering its third week. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Cassie Ventura, an artist and former girlfriend of Combs whom he also produced, has spent more than 15 hours on the stand this week, detailing disturbing allegations of abuse she said she suffered at the hands of Combs. Dawn Richards, another artist who worked with Combs as both a solo singer and a member of the girl group Danity Kane, which Combs founded on his MTV reality series 'Making the Band,' is expected to testify next week. Ventura settled a civil claim with Combs in 2023. He admitted no wrongdoing. Richards filed a lawsuit in September 2024, accusing Combs of sexual battery, sexual harassment and false imprisonment. He has denied her allegations. It's not the trajectory many expected for the founder of Bad Boy Records, whose music and artists ruled the airwaves in the 1990s and early 2000s. Big Tigger likened him to Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, for a younger generation. 'I lightweight grew up a little bit to Puff with the music, and then by the time I actually got into the business, he was already Puff,' Big Tigger said, referring to one of Combs' many nicknames. 'Puff from a business standpoint and a possibility standpoint was an inspiration.' The influence of Combs extended beyond the music industry, as he also had various businesses that included fashion, hospitality and spirits. But music - from being an intern at Uptown Records to founding his own label - is what opened the doors to those other industries for Combs. Many of the artists he helped introduce to the world have so far been silent about his legal issues. Here's what some of them have said - or not said - since Combs has been accused of running afoul of the law. The rapper was a frequent collaborator with Combs and signed to his label. And while they had joint success on songs like 1997's 'Can't Nobody Hold Me Down' and the late Christopher Wallace a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G's hit 'Mo Money Mo Problems' that same year, Mase and Combs fell out after he accused Combs of exploiting him and other Bad Boy artists, which Combs denied. Mase recently attended to the funeral service for Wallace's mother Vonetta Wallace which Comb's adult son Christian Combs also attended. Mase told Billboard he would be open to reconnecting with his former mentor. 'I mean, if my name was on the list I'd go visit Puff,' he said. 'I would visit him, make sure he was good.' He expressed his gratitude to Combs for helping to launch his career, adding that he has no idea as to whether Combs is innocent or not. 'He didn't do all bad, he did some good. I ain't talking about the tape stuff and all of that, I'm talking about the musical side,' Mase said, referencing a 2016 video showing Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Ventura. 'Giving me an opportunity, I think as a person of class you definitely got to show up and sit somewhere in the court if they let you.' Blige was signed to Uptown Records, where Combs served as a producer on her debut album 'What's the 411?' The pair established a long-standing friendship, working on music together as well as supporting each other's projects. Combs often referred to the singer as his 'sister.' She returned the kinship in September 2023 when she presented Combs with the Global Icon Award at the MTV Video Music Awards. 'Congrats to my brother @diddy #GlobalIconAward #vma,' Blige captioned a series of photos of her celebrating the event. She has not publicly commented on the allegations against Combs. Moses 'Shyne' Barrow was an up-and-coming recording artist in 1999, when he was signed to Combs' Bad Boy Records. He was part of the producer's entourage at a New York City nightclub, along with Combs' then-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, when the evening ended in a hail of gunfire. Three people were wounded. Barrow, Combs and bodyguard Anthony Jones were tried in the shooting in 2001. Combs and Jones were acquitted, while Barrow was convicted on assault and firearm possession charges. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and deported to his native Belize following his release in 2009. Barrow told CNN in an interview last year that he blames Combs in part for the events that derailed his life and career. 'You know, there's so many things that I said so long ago about Diddy. Nobody would listen, nobody would believe,' Barrow said. 'And it makes the wounds that I've, by the grace of God, been able to heal and the accomplishments that I've been able to achieve even much more significant.' The event is a pivotal part of the Hulu documentary about his life titled, 'The Honorable Shyne.' Barrow said he and Combs reconnected 20 years later, but he is clear that he didn't witness the events which resulted in the current allegations against Combs. 'I didn't have the opportunity to engage with him to see any of those things and when I didn't engage with him, I didn't see any of those things,' Barrow said. The female rapper was instrumental in the early success of Bad Boy. As a member of the group Junior Mafia along with her former love interest Wallace, Combs was a featured artist on her single 'No Time,' a hit from her 1996 debut album, 'Hard Core.' She returned the favor on his 1997 hit, 'All About the Benjamins.' That same year, they appeared together on 'The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show,' where she explained that they initially met through Wallace, who was Combs' best friend and one of the biggest stars on his label. 'It's funny cause when I first met [Combs] I thought he didn't like me cause he would lick his tongue at me or maybe make a funny face,' she said at the time. 'But then as the years went by I saw how much love he had for me, so I love you Puff and I'm so happy for you.' She also showed off the diamond earrings she said Combs has gifted her. Lil Kim has not commented publicly on the allegations against Combs. After auditioning for producer and label owner L.A. Reid Raymond, Usher was sent at the age of 15 to learn from Combs at 'Puffy Flavor Camp.' The now adult music star and actor talked to Howard Stern about it in 2016. He said it was a heady experience being a teen in the 1990s in the Bad Boy sphere, surrounded by so many famous and artists, not to mention the women. 'They weren't there for me,' Raymond said of the groupies. 'Howard, they were not my chicks. But I did recognize that, yo, one day this could be my lifestyle.' He has not spoken publicly about the allegations. Evans was not only an award-winning singer on the Bad Boy label, she was also married to Wallace, who was shot and killed in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997. Known as 'The First Lady of Bad Boy Records,' she and Combs worked together frequently. Their single 'I'll Be Missing You' honored Wallace after his death. She spoke with Billboard about Combs on the red carpet for Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala in 2020. 'Puff has always been, way before Bad Boy saw the actual success in commercial sales and stuff like that, he was still a visionary,' she said. 'He still very much knew what was gonna make a hit record, he knew good talent, and he actually had ideas for all of us…He would tell me, 'You're gonna be this,' and 'I'm gonna make him into that'…and it happened.' Evans has not spoken out about the allegations against Combs. Big Tigger said he understands why some those who were part of Combs' inner circle may not currently be comfortable talking about him. 'Anytime you say anything about sexual assault or anything in that lane, no one wants to be attached to that,' he said. 'Our society is so quick to lump people together. If I just say, I went out there [to Diddy parties]…now all of a sudden I was probably there and I'm covering for him and this and that. I don't think people are running to sign up for that.'
CNN
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs used to be incredibly influential. Most of the people he helped to make stars aren't talking about him
TV and radio personality Big Tigger remembers a moment he had years ago with Sean 'Diddy' Combs. The DJ had connected with Combs at the music mogul's restaurant, Justin's, and a photographer captured a moment of the two men talking about life. 'I still had the picture and I had given it to my grandmother before she passed. It was a really great picture, like me and him just had a conversation about family,' Big Tigger recalled to CNN. 'He had already had some of his kids and I had told him, you know, I hadn't had any yet, and he was just talking about family and how important family was to him. And I never forgot that personal conversation.' Combs is no longer in the position to easily offer such wisdom. His federal sex-trafficking trial in Manhattan is entering its third week. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Cassie Ventura, an artist and former girlfriend of Combs whom he also produced, has spent more than 15 hours on the stand this week, detailing disturbing allegations of abuse she said she suffered at the hands of Combs. Dawn Richards, another artist who worked with Combs as both a solo singer and a member of the girl group Danity Kane, which Combs founded on his MTV reality series 'Making the Band,' is expected to testify next week. Ventura settled a civil claim with Combs in 2023. He admitted no wrongdoing. Richards filed a lawsuit in September 2024, accusing Combs of sexual battery, sexual harassment and false imprisonment. He has denied her allegations. It's not the trajectory many expected for the founder of Bad Boy Records, whose music and artists ruled the airwaves in the 1990s and early 2000s. Big Tigger likened him to Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, for a younger generation. 'I lightweight grew up a little bit to Puff with the music, and then by the time I actually got into the business, he was already Puff,' Big Tigger said, referring to one of Combs' many nicknames. 'Puff from a business standpoint and a possibility standpoint was an inspiration.' The influence of Combs extended beyond the music industry, as he also had various businesses that included fashion, hospitality and spirits. But music - from being an intern at Uptown Records to founding his own label - is what opened the doors to those other industries for Combs. Many of the artists he helped introduce to the world have so far been silent about his legal issues. Here's what some of them have said - or not said - since Combs has been accused of running afoul of the law. The rapper was a frequent collaborator with Combs and signed to his label. And while they had joint success on songs like 1997's 'Can't Nobody Hold Me Down' and the late Christopher Wallace a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G's hit 'Mo Money Mo Problems' that same year, Mase and Combs fell out after he accused Combs of exploiting him and other Bad Boy artists, which Combs denied. Mase recently attended to the funeral service for Wallace's mother Vonetta Wallace which Comb's adult son Christian Combs also attended. Mase told Billboard he would be open to reconnecting with his former mentor. 'I mean, if my name was on the list I'd go visit Puff,' he said. 'I would visit him, make sure he was good.' He expressed his gratitude to Combs for helping to launch his career, adding that he has no idea as to whether Combs is innocent or not. 'He didn't do all bad, he did some good. I ain't talking about the tape stuff and all of that, I'm talking about the musical side,' Mase said, referencing a 2016 video showing Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Ventura. 'Giving me an opportunity, I think as a person of class you definitely got to show up and sit somewhere in the court if they let you.' Blige was signed to Uptown Records, where Combs served as a producer on her debut album 'What's the 411?' The pair established a long-standing friendship, working on music together as well as supporting each other's projects. Combs often referred to the singer as his 'sister.' She returned the kinship in September 2023 when she presented Combs with the Global Icon Award at the MTV Video Music Awards. 'Congrats to my brother @diddy #GlobalIconAward #vma,' Blige captioned a series of photos of her celebrating the event. She has not publicly commented on the allegations against Combs. Moses 'Shyne' Barrow was an up-and-coming recording artist in 1999, when he was signed to Combs' Bad Boy Records. He was part of the producer's entourage at a New York City nightclub, along with Combs' then-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, when the evening ended in a hail of gunfire. Three people were wounded. Barrow, Combs and bodyguard Anthony Jones were tried in the shooting in 2001. Combs and Jones were acquitted, while Barrow was convicted on assault and firearm possession charges. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and deported to his native Belize following his release in 2009. Barrow told CNN in an interview last year that he blames Combs in part for the events that derailed his life and career. 'You know, there's so many things that I said so long ago about Diddy. Nobody would listen, nobody would believe,' Barrow said. 'And it makes the wounds that I've, by the grace of God, been able to heal and the accomplishments that I've been able to achieve even much more significant.' The event is a pivotal part of the Hulu documentary about his life titled, 'The Honorable Shyne.' Barrow said he and Combs reconnected 20 years later, but he is clear that he didn't witness the events which resulted in the current allegations against Combs. 'I didn't have the opportunity to engage with him to see any of those things and when I didn't engage with him, I didn't see any of those things,' Barrow said. The female rapper was instrumental in the early success of Bad Boy. As a member of the group Junior Mafia along with her former love interest Wallace, Combs was a featured artist on her single 'No Time,' a hit from her 1996 debut album, 'Hard Core.' She returned the favor on his 1997 hit, 'All About the Benjamins.' That same year, they appeared together on 'The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show,' where she explained that they initially met through Wallace, who was Combs' best friend and one of the biggest stars on his label. 'It's funny cause when I first met [Combs] I thought he didn't like me cause he would lick his tongue at me or maybe make a funny face,' she said at the time. 'But then as the years went by I saw how much love he had for me, so I love you Puff and I'm so happy for you.' She also showed off the diamond earrings she said Combs has gifted her. Lil Kim has not commented publicly on the allegations against Combs. After auditioning for producer and label owner L.A. Reid Raymond, Usher was sent at the age of 15 to learn from Combs at 'Puffy Flavor Camp.' The now adult music star and actor talked to Howard Stern about it in 2016. He said it was a heady experience being a teen in the 1990s in the Bad Boy sphere, surrounded by so many famous and artists, not to mention the women. 'They weren't there for me,' Raymond said of the groupies. 'Howard, they were not my chicks. But I did recognize that, yo, one day this could be my lifestyle.' He has not spoken publicly about the allegations. Evans was not only an award-winning singer on the Bad Boy label, she was also married to Wallace, who was shot and killed in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997. Known as 'The First Lady of Bad Boy Records,' she and Combs worked together frequently. Their single 'I'll Be Missing You' honored Wallace after his death. She spoke with Billboard about Combs on the red carpet for Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala in 2020. 'Puff has always been, way before Bad Boy saw the actual success in commercial sales and stuff like that, he was still a visionary,' she said. 'He still very much knew what was gonna make a hit record, he knew good talent, and he actually had ideas for all of us…He would tell me, 'You're gonna be this,' and 'I'm gonna make him into that'…and it happened.' Evans has not spoken out about the allegations against Combs. Big Tigger said he understands why some those who were part of Combs' inner circle may not currently be comfortable talking about him. 'Anytime you say anything about sexual assault or anything in that lane, no one wants to be attached to that,' he said. 'Our society is so quick to lump people together. If I just say, I went out there [to Diddy parties]…now all of a sudden I was probably there and I'm covering for him and this and that. I don't think people are running to sign up for that.'
