When Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested on September 16 for charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals for prostitution, prosecutors detailed in a 14-page indictment that, as the leader of a “criminal enterprise,” he abused women, held drug-fueled sex parties lasting days called Freak Offs, and intimidated those around him to ensure their silence. (He has pleaded not guilty.)
“Hearing all of the horrific stories,” a source tells In Touch exclusively, “fans are looking at his associations with other stars in a whole new light.”
One of those stars is Justin Bieber. After the news broke, fans flooded his Instagram with supportive comments. “The world should have protected you,” one person wrote, while another encouraged him to “expose” Diddy, who mentored the young singer when he was only 15.
“The last thing Justin wants to do is relive or even discuss his complicated friendship with Diddy,” the insider shares about Bieber, who has dealt with issues like drug addiction, suicidal thoughts, and several public breakdowns. “But he’s finally breaking his silence to his friends about his nightmare experience and the private hell it’s caused him.”
Looking back, their relationship always seemed concerning. Justin, who was around 13 when he was first introduced to Diddy by Usher, was frequently seen spending time with Diddy, 54, during the early years of his rise to stardom. In March, a clip from 2009 featuring the two resurfaced.
“He’s having 48 hours with Diddy. What we’re doing, we can’t really disclose,” Diddy brags in the clip. “But it’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream … we’re gonna go full crazy.” To this, Justin replies: “Let’s just go get some girls.”
Justin has alluded to some of the trauma he endured as a young star: One viral video of him singing about a “Diddy party” was later found to be AI-generated, but in his 2020 song “Lonely,” he sings, “Everybody saw me sick, and it felt like no one gave a s–t.” Additionally, in a heartbreaking video from 2020 that has resurfaced, Justin tearfully recounts his past.
“It was hard for me, being that young and being in the industry and not knowing where to turn,” he told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, adding that he “wants to protect” Billie Eilish, who also entered the industry at 13. “If she ever needs me, I’m going to be here for her. I don’t want her to go through anything I went through. I don’t wish that upon anybody.”
He has told multiple young stars to contact him “if they find themselves in a tough situation,” the source adds. “He’s been open about his struggles and how therapy and faith have helped him get back on track. But even so, it’s been difficult for him to see all these past issues resurfacing.”
