Sean “Diddy” Combs has criticised a new Netflix docuseries about his life and legal troubles, branding it a “shameful hit piece” and accusing the streaming giant of using stolen footage. The four-part series, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, is executive produced by his long-time rival 50 Cent and is due to premiere on 2 December.
The series promises a “staggering examination” of the music mogul and convicted offender, including never-before-seen footage. A teaser released on Monday shows Combs in a hotel room on 10 September 2024, saying, “We’re losing,” before calling for “somebody that’ll work with us that has dealt in the dirtiest of dirty business”.
In a statement, Combs’s spokesperson claimed the footage, which includes “private moments, pre-indictment material and conversations involving legal strategy”, was obtained unlawfully. “It is fundamentally unfair, and illegal, for Netflix to misappropriate that work,” the statement added. Netflix refuted the claims, saying the footage was “legally obtained” and that the project has “no ties to any past conversations between Sean Combs and Netflix”.
50 Cent, who appeared on Good Morning America with director Alexandria Stapleton, denied that the series stemmed from a personal vendetta. “It’s not personal,” he said. “If I didn’t say anything, [the world might have thought] hip-hop is fine with his behaviours.” Stapleton said the project offers “a mirror [reflecting us] as the public” and hoped it would be “a wake-up call for how we idolise people”.
Combs was convicted in summer 2024 on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and was acquitted of sex-trafficking and racketeering charges that could have led to a life sentence. He was sentenced to four years and two months in prison, with a release date of May 2028, though he can reduce his term through good behaviour and treatment programmes. His legal troubles continue: last month, the Los Angeles County sheriff’s department announced an investigation into a new sexual battery allegation against him.
