The mother of hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs has launched a fierce defence of her family, publicly condemning Netflix's new documentary series for what she calls deliberate falsehoods and misinformation.
Mother's Forceful Rebuttal to 'Salacious' Claims
In an exclusive statement provided to Deadline, Janice Combs directly challenged the narrative presented in 'Sean Combs: The Reckoning,' which was released on December 2, 2025. She accused the streaming giant of intentionally misleading viewers to damage their reputation. "These inaccuracies regarding my son Sean's upbringing and family life is intentionally done to mislead viewers and further harm our reputation," Janice stated.
The docuseries re-examines Combs' dramatic career trajectory, featuring explosive claims about his conduct. A central and particularly contentious allegation comes from former Bad Boy Records executive Kirk Burrows. He claims to have witnessed an argument between mother and son following the tragic 1991 City College of New York event, where nine people died. Burrows alleges Combs "called her a b**ch and slapped her."
Janice Combs categorically denied this account. "The allegations stated by Mr. Kirk Burrows that my son slapped me while we were conversing after the tragic City College events on December 28, 1991, are inaccurate and patently false," she declared, labelling Netflix's approach as "salacious" in its quest for viewers.
Legal Battles and Contentious Footage
This controversy adds a new layer to the ongoing saga surrounding the once-dominant music figure. Janice has been a steadfast presence in her son's life, notably attending his eight-week criminal trial in New York earlier this year, where he faced sex-trafficking charges. Combs was ultimately acquitted of the most serious charges, though the court saw evidence of domestic abuse.
Diddy's spokesperson, Juda S. Engelmayer, also criticised Netflix, calling the documentary a "shameful hit piece." A major point of contention is the use of private footage. Engelmayer claims Netflix used "stolen footage that was never authorized for release," material Diddy had been accumulating since his teens for his own story. The spokesperson accused Netflix of sensationalism and a "personal breach of trust."
However, the documentary's director, Alexandria Stapleton, told Netflix's Tudum that all footage was obtained legally. "It came to us, we obtained the footage legally and have the necessary rights," she stated, noting Combs' well-known habit of constantly filming himself.
Feuds and Personal Vendettas
The involvement of rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson), a long-time public adversary of Diddy, has further inflamed tensions. Diddy's team called it "staggering" that Netflix would hand creative control to someone with a "personal vendetta." The statement also took a surprisingly personal jab at Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, referencing his late father-in-law, record executive Clarence Avant, suggesting the move was a deep personal affront.
As the documentary continues to dominate headlines, it remains unclear whether Netflix will issue a formal response to Janice Combs' accusations. The Daily Mail has contacted Netflix, 50 Cent, and the production company for comment but has not yet received a reply.
