Diddy’s Downfall Continues As Former Protégé Speaks Out

Years before music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs faced multiple charges related to sex trafficking, his former protégé, Aubrey O’Day, had already raised concerns about his alleged abusive behavior.

O’Day, a member of the group Danity Kane who rose to fame on Diddy’s 2005 MTV show Making the Band, has spoken out about her difficult history with him, often alluding to troubling behavior.

“[Diddy] plays one of the dirtiest games there is around,” O’Day previously told Cosmopolitan.

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Recently, O’Day took to X (formerly Twitter) to address Diddy’s arrest and the new allegations of sexual abuse against him.

Diddy now faces accusations from 120 individuals, including minors, in connection with sex trafficking and related offenses.

“His behavior could have been stopped long before things like this broke our hearts to read,” O’Day wrote on October 1. “His abuse didn’t have to reach me & many others including women, men, & minors who will forever traumatize an entire industry.”

O’Day described Diddy as “a soulless human inside of a systemic problem within the entertainment industry,” blaming the industry for enabling him. “So many people have tried to warn you, but his charisma fooled you,” she continued. “A lot of people are responsible for keeping him in a place of power & visibility, and if that part resonates [with] you, may you feel the same grieving that all of his victims won’t ever be able to fully repair.”

His behavior could have been stopped long before things like this broke our hearts to read, his abuse didn’t have to reach me & many others including women,men, & minors.. whom of which will forever traumatize an entire industry. He is a soulless human inside of a systemic… https://t.co/EJJp4nBlLr

— Aubrey O’Day (@AubreyODay) October 2, 2024

Following Diddy’s arrest, O’Day expressed that his arrest was “a win for all women.” She elaborated in another post: “The purpose of justice is to provide an ending and allow us the space to create a new chapter. Women never get this. I feel validated. Today is a win for women all over the world, not just me.”

The purpose of Justice is to provide an ending and allow us the space to create a new chapter. Women never get this. I feel validated. Today is a win for women all over the world, not just me.
Things are finally changing.

— Aubrey O’Day (@AubreyODay) September 17, 2024

O’Day’s relationship with Diddy began during her time on Making the Band, but tensions grew over the years, culminating in her being fired from Danity Kane during the season four finale in 2008.

On the Call Her Daddy podcast in 2022, O’Day claimed her firing was not about talent, but because she “wasn’t willing to do what was expected of [her]—not talent-wise, but in other areas.”

O’Day also opened up about the emotional manipulation she says she endured while working under Diddy.

She claimed Diddy often belittled her appearance and criticized her lack of curves, saying, “Diddy would be like, ‘You’re not hot anymore. Like, what happened? You don’t have any curves. I can’t get people to think you’re my good-looking person.’”

She added that during her time with Danity Kane, there was no #MeToo movement to protect women in the industry. “You signed a million NDAs and a million contracts that took away your rights,” O’Day said.

In 2023, after singer Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against Diddy alleging over a decade of abuse, O’Day showed her support for Cassie. “Been trynna tell y’all for years,” she wrote on Instagram, sharing her thoughts on the lawsuit.

Following Diddy’s arrest, O’Day addressed a fan’s question about why the members of Danity Kane allowed Diddy to treat them poorly.

She explained that they “weren’t given choices” and that they were not “free-minded adults” at the time, implying they were trapped in a difficult situation.

we weren’t given choices my love. We were not ‘free minded adults’ either (also that’s too loaded a statement to break down for you at 1am). And i can only speak for danity kane.. but none of us showed up for fame, we all kinda agreed that part of our job was annoying and… https://t.co/7aWetbsfID

— Aubrey O’Day (@AubreyODay) October 4, 2024

Diddy was arrested on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation for prostitution. He faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted.

In Manhattan federal court, Combs pleaded not guilty and was immediately taken into custody after being denied bail. His lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, told reporters that Diddy is prepared to fight the charges. “He is dealing with this head-on, the way he’s dealt with every challenge in his life. And he’s not guilty. He’s innocent of these charges,” Agnifilo said. “I’m going to fight like hell to get him released.”

As the case against Diddy unfolds, many in the entertainment industry are reflecting on long-standing concerns about his behavior.

O’Day’s comments, along with others who have spoken out, have highlighted a broader issue of alleged abuse and misconduct within the entertainment world.

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