Janice Smalls Combs, the mother of Sean “Diddy” Combs, released a statement defending her son amid allegations of sex trafficking. The 84-year-old reached out to the press through her lawyer, Natli G. Figgers, expressing her disbelief in the rapper’s guilt.
“I come to you today as a mother who is devastated and deeply saddened by the accusations against my son, Sean Combs. It’s heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative built on lies. Witnessing what feels like a public lynching of my son, before he has a chance to prove his innocence, is a pain that words cannot describe,” Janice explained.
Smalls acknowledged that Diddy hadn’t been truthful about being abusive towards Cassie Ventura. An incident of the artist attacking her in March 2016 was captured on hotel surveillance cameras and released earlier this year. Janice mentioned that by quickly settling Cassie’s lawsuit at the end of last year—just a day after it was filed—Diddy opened himself up to potential lawsuits from others seeking financial gain.
“I’m not here to portray my son as perfect because he isn’t. He has made mistakes in his past, just like all of us. My son may not have been entirely honest about some things, like denying he ever showed violence towards his ex-girlfriend, even though the hotel footage showed otherwise. Sometimes the truth and lies intertwine so closely that it becomes difficult to acknowledge one part of the story, especially when that truth is outside the norm or too complex to believe,” she reassured.
In her view, these factors played a crucial role in the resolution of the 54-year-old artist’s lawsuit with Cassie last year. Smalls believes the lawyers should have fought the case more vigorously. This, she explained, led to the current repercussions.
“That’s why I believe my son’s civil legal team chose to settle his ex-girlfriend’s lawsuit instead of contesting it fully, resulting in a ricochet effect, as the federal government used this settlement against my son, interpreting it as an admission of guilt,” the artist’s mother stated.
She also claimed that the footage of Diddy’s violent attack on Cassie in 2016, released in May, incited a crowd of unscrupulous opportunists looking to profit from her son’s difficult situation. Janice believes false accusations of sexual violence hinder real victims from receiving the justice they deserve.
Diddy’s mother emphasized that his actions are not as they are portrayed. “It’s important to recognize that none of us, regardless of our status, is immune to fear or mistakes. A lack of straightforwardness in one matter does not mean my son is guilty of the terrible allegations against him,” Smalls explained.
She pointed to past instances where individuals were falsely accused and convicted due to their reputation. Her heart breaks as she watches her son lose his freedom and suffer damage to his reputation without public support, even before he has shared his side of the story.
“The worst part of this ordeal is watching my beloved son stripped of his dignity, not for what he has done, but for what people choose to believe about him. I will never forget how the world laughs and jokes while my son’s life crumbles before our eyes. It’s truly agonizing to see the world turn away from him so quickly and easily due to lies and misconceptions, without even hearing his side or allowing him to present his perspective,” Janice noted.
She believes her son deserves the chance to speak out. The false rumors surrounding him have led to a serious federal investigation and subsequent prosecution. She urged supporters, fans, colleagues, friends, and the public not to judge Diddy until they have heard his account of the story.
“Worse yet, the federal government is now using these lies to pursue my son. This injustice is unbearable for our family. I implore you to think of those who have been wrongfully pursued; we must remember that not everyone who has made mistakes in life deserves to have their entire life evaluated based on one act or a few errors. My son is not the monster he is portrayed to be, and he deserves the chance to express his viewpoint. I can only pray that I will live to see him speak the truth and be vindicated.”
