Justin Bieber has now distanced himself from rumours that positioned him as one of the victims of accused rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ alleged misconduct.
In light of the growing scandal surrounding the hip-hop mogul on trial, a video of the former teen artist and P Diddy led to disturbing speculations last year. As the pool of lawsuits accusing Combs of wrongdoing spiralled out of control, a years-old clip captured visuals of the Bad Boy Records exec hanging out with a then-minor Bieber for “48 hours.” Fans couldn’t help construe it as the possibility of Justin having been groomed by the once-venerated record producer.
The Justin Bieber crisis: Drug use, deteriorating mental health
Headlines centred around Bieber, who is now a father of one, have been rife with claims of him struggling with mental health issues. Several reports of his wife, Hailey Bieber, sticking out with him through the rough patch also surfaced in the meantime. Back in 2020, the “Baby” hitmaker tearfully admitted to having experience trauma from being in the music industry since his formative young years.
In a recent social media post, the “One Time” singer was seen flaunting his drug use. The 31-year-old’s Thursday Instagram post showed him sitting with a massive glass bong. In another snap, the Grammy winner was even captured holding a joint.
Officially debuting in 2009 with his first EP, “My World,” JB went on to be regarded as a pop icon when he was still finding himself. At the time, he was just about 15-years-old. His famous 2020 interview came back to the top of social media focus after the clip of Diddy’s hangout session with a teenage Justin went viral again in 2024.
“It was hard for me being that young and being in the industry and not knowing where to turn, and everyone telling me they love me, and just turn their back on you in a second,” the pop star broke down at the time, as per Entertainment Tonight. Although the singer did not directly mention Diddy in his heartbroken confession, but it got fans wondering if Combs had subjected the once-young music star to his alleged “freak-offs.”
Justin Bieber not a Diddy victim, says his rep
The “Peaches” crooner’s representative finally attempted to put the rumours to rest as claims of Bieber’s purported mental health struggle seemed to have drawn Britney Spears’ attention as well. “Although Justin is not among Sean Combs’ victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him. Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve,” a rep shared the statement with TMZ.
Shortly after Justin Bieber’s years-old history in the industry was linked to Diddy, the Canadian singer and his socialite wife had to repeatedly squash exaggerated breakup rumours as well. A new RadarOnline report again insisted that the pair is not even living under the same roof anymore, as his ties with former manager Scooter Braun have returned to make the news. Justin reportedly owes the latter’s company millions for his “Justice” tour.
Justin-Hailey’s marriage in trouble? Britney Spears dragged into the mix
On the flip side, Life&Style also pushed the narrative that pop icon Britney Spears was sincerely concerned about everything going on with Bieber. Alluding to his purported imploding mental health and claims of a strained marriage, an insider said that the “Oops! I Did It Again” songstress “is reserving judgement , but of course she’s hearing all the talk about him struggling and can’t help but worry. She’s not the type to try and interfere or make assumptions, but she has let it be known to their mutual contacts that she’s there for him, and for Hailey too, if he needs anything at all.”
Around the same time, the “Gimme More” diva was name-dropped during the Diddy trial. On May 15, Combs’ former girlfriend Cassie Ventura brought up Spears while testifying. Although no Britney wasn’t subject to any allegations, the mogul’s ex said that he got the “Toxic” crooner to tag along with him to Ventura’s 21st birthday party, which was here he made his “first move” on the Step Up 2 star.