After months of speculation, Justin Bieber broke his silence to clarify that he was not a victim of Sean “Diddy” Combs amid the mogul’s sex trafficking trial.
“Although Justin is not among Sean Combs’ victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him,” a spokesperson for the “Holy” singer, 31, said in a statement to People on Friday, May 16.
“Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve,” the rep added.
Fans became concerned for Justin after a video of him at the age of 15 surfaced when he had an overnight stay with Diddy, 55. It drew attention after the Bad Boy Records cofounder’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided in March 2024, and again after Diddy’s arrest in September 2024 on federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Combs has pled not guilty and denies all charges.
The clip is still on the “Peaches” singer’s YouTube page from 2009.
“So, check this out, yo. Justin – have you ever seen the movie 48 Hours? Right now, he’s having 48 hours with Diddy where we hanging out and what we’re doing we can’t really disclose,” Diddy said while standing alongside a smiling Justin. “But it’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream.”
The “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper claimed that he had been given temporary “custody” over Justin and explained that the Canada native was “signed to Usher and [Diddy] I had legal guardianship of Usher when he did his first album.”
“I don’t have legal guardianship of [Justin] but for the next 48 hours he’s with me and we’re gonna go buck full crazy,” Diddy said. Justin repeated the line, “full crazy.”
Justin Bieber and Diddy
When Diddy asked Justin what he’d like to do, the teen responded, “The next 48 hours – let’s just go get some girls. Go hang out some.”
“A man after my heart, that’s what I’m talking about,” Diddy said before giving Justin a hug.
Justin had not spoken out about whether or not he’d been victimized by the Sean John founder after the video resurfaced.
Fans became worried when the Grammy winner seemingly began having issues in the months after Diddy’s arrest. His team even made the rare move of making a statement to deny drug use rumors after photos surfaced of Justin appearing tired and gaunt while out and about in New York City in February, as well as a dinner outing in the city where he wore a bathrobe.
Justin Bieber
A rep for Justin told TMZ on February 23, that the drug use rumors were “absolutely not true” and that the speculation was “exhausting and pitiful.”
The spokesperson added that past year had been “very transformative for him as he ended several close friendships and business relationships that no longer served him.” They also blamed the singer’s tired appearance on an all-night recording session, as well as caring for his 8-month-old son, Jack Blues Bieber, whom he shares with wife Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin).
Diddy’s trial began in New York City on May 12.
In the first week of the trial, Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, took the stand to detail his days-long drug and sex-fueled parties known as “freak offs.” The singer claimed she took part because she “didn’t want to make him upset or angry,” while saying participating in Diddy’s “freak offs” left her feeling “disgusting” and humiliated.”
