Diddy sues NBC for $100M for portraying him as 'monster'
What's the story
Renowned rapper and music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has filed a defamation lawsuit against NBCUniversal and production company Ample. Seeking $100 million in damages, the lawsuit claims the companies made false accusations in their documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy. The film, according to the complaint, implies that Combs is guilty of "numerous heinous crimes," including serial murder, rape of minors, and sex trafficking.
Alleged inaccuracies
Combs's lawsuit highlights alleged false claims in documentary
The lawsuit also claims the documentary unfairly depicts Combs as a "monster" and "an embodiment of Lucifer," making comparisons to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Additionally, the lawsuit disputes claims made in the film regarding Combs's alleged involvement in the 2018 death of his former partner, Kim Porter. The complaint argues that despite official findings that Porter died from natural causes, the documentary implies Combs had a hand in her death.
Source dispute
Combs's lawyers criticized the documentary's reliance on Al B. Sure!
The lawsuit also takes issue with the documentary for using information from record producer Al B. Sure!, real name Albert Joseph Brown III, who had a tumultuous relationship with Combs. It claims that producer Ari Mark knew of this complicated relationship but still opted to use him as a source. The complaint also refutes Brown's claims connecting his health issues to Combs and alleging the rapper was involved in multiple high-profile deaths.
Warning ignored
Combs's team warned NBC and Ample about false allegations
The lawsuit reveals that Combs's team had warned NBC and Ample in December 2024 that the allegations in their documentary were "unequivocally false" and lacked credible evidence. However, both parties went ahead and released the trailer and series. The complaint states, "The defamatory statements published by Defendants about Plaintiff have directly and proximately caused Plaintiff substantial reputational and financial harm."
Implications
Combs's trial is set for May 5
To note, Combs is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, NY, following a federal investigation that resulted in charges against him for sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence. As the founder of Bad Boy Records, he faces a prison sentence ranging from a minimum of 15 years to life. His trial is set to commence on May 5.