Eyebrow-raising footage of a young Justin Bieber and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has re-emerged following the millionaire rapper’s arrest earlier this month.
Combs, 54, was taken into custody in New York City on September 16 and subsequently detained without bail on federal accusations of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has denied all allegations, with his legal representative asserting that the music tycoon is “an innocent man with nothing to hide.”
While Combs continues to be held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, it’s reported that Bieber is conscious of his long-time friend and collaborator’s legal predicament but is choosing to concentrate on his new role as a father. A confidant of Bieber, who recently celebrated the arrival of his son Jack with spouse Hailey Bieber, mentioned that the fresh father has been living “in a happy bubble” since the birth of Jack and “just wants to focus on being a great dad and husband”.
Nonetheless, despite Bieber’s desire to stay silent on Combs’ apprehension, the internet has been abuzz with discussions about their friendship.
The Mirror have delved into the viral videos spreading across social media and examined Bieber’s connection with Combs….
’48 hours with Diddy’
Early connections were established between the two artists from the onset of Bieber’s career. A 15 year old Justin burst onto the music scene after signing with Usher’s record label, becoming a part of the Caught Up crew.
Combs is recognised for helping to kickstart Usher’s career and those of other artists like Biggie Smalls and Mary J Blige.
A video from the early days of Bieber’s rise to stardom shows Combs and a young Bieber in 2009, just before they spent a weekend together. In the footage, Combs can be heard saying: “He’s having forty-eight hours with Diddy, where we hanging out and what we’re doing we can’t really disclose, but it’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream.”
Speaking about his role as a mentor to Justin, similar to his previous relationship with Usher, Combs said: “I have been given custody of him. He’s signed to Usher and I had legal guardianship of Usher when he did his first album. I don’t have legal guardianship of him [Bieber] but for the next 48 hours he’s with me and we’re gonna go full crazy.”
“Let’s go get some girls,” Bieber then tells Combs when asked what he wants to do. “Man after my heart,” the rapper responds.
“That’s what I’m talking about.”
‘Creepy’ phone number video
An uncomfortable interaction between Bieber and Combs has also re-emerged online in recent weeks, causing unease among viewers. The clip shows the rapper criticising Bieber for not keeping in touch since becoming a household name.
As they greeted each other, a young Bieber assured Combs that he was “all good”, prompting Combs to delve deeper with: “Everything’s good? Selling out arenas and everything?” The atmosphere shifted when Combs commented: “Starting to act different, huh? You ain’t been calling me and hanging out the way we used to hang out.”
In the footage, a 16-year-old Bieber hesitated before replying: “I mean you tried to get in contact with me throughout all my [projects] and what not – but you never got my number.”
Bieber then proceeded to take out his phone and said to Combs: “I’m going to tell you my number.”
The interaction has been labelled “creepy” by some, especially after Combs’ arrest.
‘Wire check’
Another peculiar video shows the two celebrities sharing what appears to be a sincere hug. However, sharp observers have noted that Combs’ actions might indicate more than just a friendly gesture.
In this clip, thought to be from around three years ago, Combs and Bieber look at each other seriously. They exchange a handshake and move in for a quick embrace, but some spectators have commented on how Combs seems to pat down Bieber’s back, torso, and chest a bit too thoroughly, leading one viewer to suggest it looks as if the rapper is conducting a frisk.
The recent interaction between Combs and Bieber has sparked online debate, particularly in light of the allegations recently levelled against Combs. A video clip shared on Twitter has ignited speculation, with some viewers suggesting that Combs “appeared to be checking Justin to see if he is wearing a wire,” potentially looking for concealed recording devices.
As the footage spread across social media, users were quick to offer their interpretations on the original post. One individual remarked: “Diddy wouldn’t have known if Justin Bieber was wearing a wire in this video just by tapping his chest, there could be more explanation to what he did here.”
Another user chimed in humorously: “it’s possible” while another dismissed the conspiracy theory with sarcasm: “Yeah […] that’s exactly how people check for wires. Tapping on random places rather than just a flat palm.”
Meanwhile, one commenter suggested a simpler explanation: “He’s poking him while speaking to him to get his point across. People do that all the time.”
Bieber’s message for Combs just months before arrest
Before the arrest and subsequent claims against Combs surfaced, Bieber, now 30, featured on Diddy’s latest album, The Love Album: Off The Grid, contributing to a track called Moments. Last September, following the album’s release, Bieber expressed his sentiments about the collaboration with a heartfelt message on Instagram.
“I remember going to my brother Diddy’s office to pitch him a song I wrote for him when I was like 14, sadly the song was trash haha,” he recounted on his Instagram Story. “And it would be a hard no from him, fast forward to a few years ago Puff asked if I would freestyle something for his upcoming love album. Wild full circle moment, love you @diddy,” he continued in his post.
Yet, following Combs’ arrest, rumours have surfaced that Bieber regrets his collaboration on the album. “Bieber is so disturbed by the Diddy news and is unwilling to process it or discuss it so he has shut off,” an insider claimed last week.
“So many people who helped to make him who he is were very close to Diddy and it has completely thrown him,” the source divulged to the Daily Mail. The ‘Baby’ singer is said to be so upset that he’s chosen not to comment on any of the allegations.
The source also suggested that Bieber now laments working on Combs’ latest album, a decision they say he wouldn’t have made had he been aware of the current situation. According to reports, Bieber also took a “long break” from being around Combs during the period he believes most of these alleged incidents occurred.
Combs was taken into custody on Monday, September 16, in New York City facing charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Having been refused bail on several occasions, he is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre (MDC) in Brooklyn.
Combs has entered a plea of not guilty to all accusations. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, addressed the media outside the courtroom on Tuesday, September 17, asserting: “Mr Combs is a fighter, he’s going to fight this to the end. He’s innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence. He’s not afraid, he’s not afraid of the charges.”
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