As federal proceedings against Sean “Diddy” Combs continue to make headlines, the embattled music mogul has broken his silence to defend the character of his now-infamous parties—asserting they were voluntary and beloved by guests.
“Nobody was ever forced to attend my parties—they came because they wanted to and had a great time,” Combs said in a public statement. “People would even arrive early, sometimes by 8 PM, even though the party didn’t officially start until 9:30.”
Diddy added that the main events typically ran until around 3 AM, with exclusive after-parties taking place in private suites afterward. “People were practically begging for invites,” he claimed. “If they didn’t enjoy themselves, they could have stopped coming—but they kept showing up because they loved it.”
His comments arrive in the midst of damning courtroom testimony from his former partner, singer Cassie Ventura. Ventura has described a decade-long relationship filled with coercion, emotional manipulation, and sexually charged “freak-off” parties—some of which, she testified, she attended unwillingly. While she acknowledged occasionally enjoying the parties due to the rare personal time they allowed her with Combs, she also stated they happened more often than she was comfortable with.
The case is further complicated by the spectacle and celebrity culture that surrounded these gatherings. Reports suggest that several high-profile stars, now distancing themselves from Diddy, were once regulars—some arriving with baby oil as a cheeky reference to the parties’ notorious themes.
While Combs insists the events were consensual and fueled by excitement, federal prosecutors are constructing a very different narrative—one centered on manipulation, power imbalances, and long-lasting trauma concealed behind luxury and fame.
As the trial unfolds, the public is left to grapple with difficult questions about consent, celebrity, and accountability in the entertainment industry.
