Justin Bieber is addressing the hypothesis that he’s certainly one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ victims amid the hip-hop mogul’s ongoing intercourse trafficking trial.
“Though Justin shouldn’t be amongst Sean Combs’ victims, there are people who have been genuinely harmed by him,” a spokesperson for Bieber mentioned in an announcement obtained by People.
“Shifting focus away from this actuality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve,” the rep added.
The assertion marks the primary time Bieber has addressed the arrest of Combs, whom he collaborated with and seemingly had a friendship with. Combs was arrested final September after dealing with a number of sexual assault and intercourse trafficking accusations in opposition to him.
Bieber has lengthy been purported to be certainly one of Combs’ victims after a clip of Combs hanging out with a 15-year-old Bieber resurfaced on-line following Combs’ arrest. On Bieber’s YouTube, the singer shared a video in 2009 known as “JUSTIN BIEBER’s 48 HRS with DIDDY!!” through which the pair recorded themselves hanging out however stayed mum on what their plans have been.
“For the following 48 hours, he’s with me. And we’re gonna go full. Buck full loopy,” Combs instructed the digital camera.
“Let’s simply go get some ladies,” Bieber mentioned, as Combs replied, “Man after my coronary heart. That’s what I’m speaking about.”
Regardless of hypothesis on their relationship, in The Hollywood Reporter’s function, it was reported that a number of individuals current on the time famous that Bieber’s longtime safety chief Kenny Hamilton shielded the then-young singer from music business vultures, dangerous actors and others, together with Combs.
Combs, who has been jailed since September, is at the moment on trial for intercourse trafficking and racketeering costs. Singer Cassie Ventura, who dated Combs for almost 11 years and is the prosecution’s star witness, has spent the week on the witness stand, answering questions on their relationship that resulted in 2018. Her 2023 lawsuit accused Combs of bodily and sexual abuse, and set in movement the investigation in opposition to the mogul.
Prosecutors have since detailed an enormous prison enterprise, relationship again to a minimum of 2008, by which Combs allegedly trafficked ladies with the assistance of his enterprise empire. He pleaded not responsible to a few counts involving intercourse trafficking and racketeering and has continued to disclaim all allegations.
Combs faces a minimum of 15 years in jail if convicted.