Sean “Diddy” Combs’ mother, Janice Smalls Combs, has spoken out in support of her son, who is currently facing serious charges related to sex trafficking, racketeering, and multiple accusations of sexual assault.
“It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies,” Janice said in the statement shared with Page Six via her lawyer on Sunday.
She expressed deep sorrow over what she views as a public character assassination of Diddy, stating he has yet to have the chance to prove his innocence in court. The emotional toll of witnessing this unfold, she said, is immense. She stressed that her son, like anyone else, deserves a fair trial to present his side of the story.
Janice also commented on the surveillance video that showed Diddy physically assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassie, at a hotel in 2016.
“I am not here to portray my son as perfect because he is not. He has made mistakes in his past, as we all have,” she said in the statement, which Diddy’s representative confirmed was authentic to Page Six.
She acknowledged that Diddy has not always been honest, particularly regarding claims that he had never been violent with a former partner, despite hotel footage proving otherwise.
Janice further explained why she believes her son decided to settle with Cassie in November 2023 instead of pursuing a legal battle in court.
“Sometimes, the truth and a lie become so closely intertwined that it becomes terrifying to admit one part of the story, especially when that truth is outside the norm or is too complicated to be believed,” she said.
She argued that Diddy’s legal team chose to settle rather than fight the lawsuit to the end, believing that this move was used against him by authorities, interpreting the settlement as an admission of guilt.
Cassie, now 38, filed the lawsuit against Diddy last November, accusing him of rape, sex trafficking, and repeated instances of physical abuse.
Janice also defended her son against the multiple sexual assault allegations he is currently facing.
“Not being entirely straightforward about one issue does not mean my son is guilty of the repulsive allegations and the grave charges leveled against him,” she added.
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