Justin Bieber wore a strained expression when he surfaced in Los Angeles this weekend – a day after breaking his silence on explosive rumors connecting him to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs amid the disgraced mogul’s sex trafficking trial.
The rapper, 55, has been accused of a string of depraved crimes and there was widespread fears among fans that Bieber, 31, may have been sexually abused by Diddy during his early years as a child pop star.
Last year, a video of the pair resurfaced which some fans labeled as ‘disturbing’ and showed Combs and Justin – who was a minor at the time – hanging out for ’48 hours.’ The pair also worked together on an album.
However, the troubled singer released a statement on Thursday, insisting he was not one of Diddy’s victims.
Over the past months, fans have harbored mounting concerns for Justin’s health, rumors have been flying about possible marital strife with his wife Hailey Bieber and fresh reports suggest he may have experienced money problems.
Amid the turmoil, Justin appeared drawn and downcast as he stepped out in Los Angeles this Friday for a coffee with his old friend Harry Hudson.
Justin Bieber, 31, wore a strained expression when he surfaced in Los Angeles this weekend – a day after breaking his silence on explosive rumors connecting him to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Amid the turmoil, Justin appeared drawn and downcast as he stepped out in Los Angeles this Friday for a coffee with his old friend Harry Hudson
He was characteristically dressed down in a baggy pair of dusty jeans, a loose-fitted rust-colored hoodie and a large set of shoes that resembled bedroom slippers.
Even his friend’s supportive presence was unable to wipe the careworn look from Justin’s face as he grabbed an iced coffee from West Hollywood’s Dialog Cafe.
Meanwhile Hailey was glimpsed attempting to keep a low profile as she stepped out to dinner in nearby Beverly Hills with her friend and fellow ‘nepo baby’ Lori Harvey.
Although they were headed to the glamorously upscale 88 Club, Hailey stuck to an ultra-casual ensemble including cutoff leggings and flip flops.
She warded off any lingering hint of springtime chill with a thick zip-up jacket, sweeping her dark locks up into a bun.
Wearing a large set of sunglasses, the niece of Alec Baldwin kept her head down as she and Lori arrived at the ritzy eatery.
Lori, whose father is Steve Harvey and who used to date Michael B. Jordan, emphasized her lithe frame in a fitted black ensemble with a purple cross-body bag.
‘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,’ his spokesperson said in a statement to TMZ.
The singer released a statement on Thursday, insisting he was not one of Diddy’s victims
The singer was seen wiping something from his eye
He was characteristically dressed down in a baggy pair of dusty jeans, a loose-fitted rust-colored hoodie
‘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,’ his spokesperson said in a statement to TMZ
He wore a large set of shoes that resembled bedroom slippers
He carried a cellphone in his hand
The star balanced a coffee in his other hand
He followed behind his pal
Over the past months, fans have harbored mounting concerns for Justin’s health and rumors have been flying about possible marital strife with his wife Hailey Bieber
Fresh reports suggest he may have experienced money problems
DailyMail.com has reached out to Bieber’s reps for comment.
Sources also informed TMZ on Thursday that the Coming Home rapper never abused Justin in any way.
In regards to the videos of Diddy and Justin together, the insiders insisted that the interactions were simply ‘performative’ – and explained Bieber was closer to the rapper’s sons than to Sean.
Not long after Combs was arrested in the state of New York on sex trafficking and racketeering charges – which he has denied – a source opened up to DailyMail.com about Justin’s reaction to the news.
‘Bieber is so disturbed by the Diddy news and is unwilling to process it or discuss it so he has shut off.’
The insider added, ‘So many people who helped to make him who he is were very close to Diddy and it has completely thrown him. Justin hasn’t been responding on this since the home raids. He’s not going to.’
According to the source, the singer also regretted working with Combs on the rapper’s 2023 album titled The Love Album: Off the Grid.
‘He had a long break from Diddy when he believes most of this took place and he had distanced himself from him.’
Meanwhile Hailey was glimpsed attempting to keep a low profile as she stepped out to dinner in nearby Beverly Hills with her friend and fellow ‘nepo baby’ Lori Harvey
Although they were headed to the glamorously upscale 88 Club, Hailey stuck to an ultra-casual ensemble including cutoff leggings and flip flops
Wearing a large set of sunglasses, the niece of Alec Baldwin kept her head down as she and Lori arrived at the ritzy eatery
She kept her face shielded with her phone
Hailey gave birth to her first child, a baby boy named Jack Blues Bieber, in August 2024
She and Justin have been married since 2018
Lori, whose father is Steve Harvey and who used to date Michael B. Jordan, emphasized her lithe frame in a fitted black ensemble with a purple cross-body bag
Hailey walked slightly ahead of Lori as they emerged from the restaurant
They matched in all black looks
Hailey’s outfit included a large handbag and a set of hoop earrings
She has not publicly addressed rumors of marital woes
They continued, ‘He was featured on Diddy’s most recent album, and had he known any of this, there is no way he would have done it.’
A past video also resurfaced last year as Combs and Bieber documented spending ’48 hours’ together.
In the clip, the pair could be seen standing next to each other and Diddy stated, ‘He’s having 48 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.’
He added: ‘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.’
The Baby hitmaker could be seen sporting a purple button up as well as a black cap as he stood next to Diddy.
During the clip, Justin offered simple responses to Combs – such as saying ‘yeah’ and also ‘full crazy.’
At the time, social media users had jumped to X to share their thoughts on the resurfaced reel which came to light the same week Diddy had been arrested following a sex trafficking probe.
One penned, ‘These videos NEED to resurface to expose the disturbing behavior of P Diddy around a 15-year-old Justin Bieber.
‘This is how a creepy freak behaves. DISTURBING. We should hold people accountable, no matter their status or fame!!!’ they added.
Another wrote, ‘This video of P Diddy & Justin Bieber will forever be creepy,’ while one added, ‘Diddy’s weird obsession with a young Justin Bieber was always disturbing. Hollywood needs to stop excusing these twisted power dynamics.’
An X user shared, ‘A fully grown DIDDY with 15 year old Justin Bieber talking about partying with him. Look how uncomfortable Justin Bieber is.’
‘Bieber is so disturbed by the Diddy news and is unwilling to process it or discuss it so he has shut off,’ a source previously told DailyMail.com; seen in 2010
In March of last year, another clip had resurfaced shortly after the disgraced rapper’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles were raided.
The video showed Diddy asking Justin – who was 16 at the time – why he hadn’t spoken to him that much.
‘What’s up man, you good? Selling out arenas and everything? Starting to act different, huh? You haven’t been calling me and hanging out the way we used to hang out.’
Bieber – who seemingly appeared nervous – replied with, ‘I mean you tried to get in contact with me throughout all my… and what not… but you never got my number. I’m going to tell you my number.’
The pair have been spotted hanging out on more than one occasion in the past, such as at a bash in Atlanta back in 2014.
They were also seen at a Grammys after party in 2016 and on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2011.
Fans also claimed last year that Justin’s 2021 track titled Lonely possibly hinted at what allegedly happened between him and Diddy when he was a minor.
Some of the lyrics include: ‘And everybody saw me sick/And it felt like no one gave a s**t/ They criticized the things I did as an idiot kid.
A past video also resurfaced last year as Combs and Bieber documented spending ’48 hours’ together
‘What if you had it all/ And it felt like nobody to call? Maybe then you’d know me/’Cause I’ve had everything/ But no one’s listening/ And that’s just lonely. I’m so lonely. Lonely.’
One fan had written, ‘No one protected him. Not even his family. I absolutely adore this song, but the words have always stood out to me. I hope he can heal with time.’
Diddy’s sex trafficking trial officially began earlier this week on Monday – and his ex Cassie Ventura has taken to the stand since Tuesday.
Back in 2023, she notably filed a lawsuit against Combs – which was settled for an undisclosed amount only one day later.
The two stars had previously been in a relationship from 2007 through 2018, which Ventura has gone into detail about during the cross-examination.
Text message exchanges were shown to the jury on Thursday, including one where she expressed her desire to have a larger role in Diddy’s life as well as with his children from previous relationships.
However, she felt that the main role she had in his life was to be a part of the rapper’s ‘freak offs’ – and she explained to the court, ‘It could be a little heartbreaking,’ per People.
Celebrity names have also recently been dragged into the trial – such as Bruce Willis and Britney Spears.
Sources informed TMZ in an article published on Thursday that Diddy never abused Bieber in any way; seen in 2014 in Atlanta
Also on Thursday, jurors were shown images from the sex parties that the hip-hop mogul masterminded.
The New York courtroom fell silent as the jury members viewed five still pictures of so-called ‘Freak Offs’ on their screens, which were blocked from public view.
One male juror’s eyebrows went up as he saw the images, while a female juror swallowed hard and appeared to move her head side to side.
Ms Ventura spoke in a flat voice while she described the five images, which showed her with three male escorts.
One picture depicted her and an escort called Greg in the middle of a ‘Freak Off’. Ms Ventura, 38, said she was wearing ‘very high shoes’ and had baby oil on her skin.
To ensure her privacy, the court allowed only the singer, the jurors, Combs and his lawyers, and the prosecution to see the images.
They were revealed on the third day of the trial of Combs, 55, who won three Grammy Awards and was one of the most famous men in hip hop.
As she gave evidence for a second day, Ms Ventura detailed how taking part in sex parties lasting several days was ‘hell on my body’ and revealed the injuries she suffered during her decade-long relationship with Combs.
A source told the Daily Mail that Justin’s former manager Scooter Braun ‘has given Justin much grace because he cares deeply for him, but for Justin to continue going on like he has been taken advantage of is disgraceful’
She said she repeatedly contracted ‘very painful’ urinary tract infections (UTIs) but had to keep doing ‘Freak Offs’.
The singer was left with sores on her mouth from having sex for up to four days at a time, Manhattan Federal Court heard.
She detailed the arguments she would have with Combs, who she began dating in 2006 when she was 19 – and he was 17 years older.
They included an incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles in March 2016 when he beat her, which was captured on CCTV.
Ms Ventura said afterwards Combs bombarded her with texts, writing: ‘Call me’, ‘Help’ and ‘If you don’t pick up you’ll never hear my voice again’.
Combs even claimed he was going to be arrested but there was no sign that happened and the hotel’s security did not even call the police.
Ms Ventura said Combs then turned up at her apartment and was ‘banging’ to get in and causing ‘chaos’. The jury was shown a photo she took of her injuries from having been pulled across the floor.
She said she had a ‘fat lip… with a black eye’. The court was shown photos from a few days later at a film premiere, where she was wearing sunglasses to cover the bruise under her eye.
Ms Ventura is expected to return to court once again on Friday as the cross-examination continues.
Combs denies sex trafficking, racketeering and other charges. He faces life in jail if convicted. The trial continues.
