Diddy’s friendship with Justin Bieber comes under scrutiny as allegations against the rapper prompted Bieber to distance himself
Sean “Diddy” Combs and Justin Bieber’s longtime friendship came under scrutiny following Diddy’s September 2024 arrest for sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. (The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied the allegations against him.)
Diddy described Bieber as his “little brother” in the earliest days of the “Baby” singer’s career — and they even made a late-night TV appearance together to discuss their bond. Bieber was a featured artist on Diddy’s 2023 studio album, The Love Album: Off the Grid, which was released two months before Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie sued him for rape, sex trafficking, and physical abuse. (Diddy denied her claims in a November 2023 statement, and the pair settled out of court that same month for $20 million.)
Bieber’s spokesperson has more recently sought to distance him from Diddy as the Sean John founder’s trial began in May 2025.
Keep scrolling for a look back at Diddy and Bieber’s relationship through the years.
Bieber, then 15, uploaded his first video collaboration with Diddy on his YouTube channel. Tilted “48 Hours With Diddy,” the clip shows Bieber spending two days with the rap mogul in Los Angeles after launching a social media campaign to produce a song for him. Diddy brags that he bought a Lamborghini for the teen star ahead of his 16th birthday.
“As soon as you turn 16, I’m gonna let you rock this,” Diddy vowed as he unveiled the luxury car. “You know, you gotta ride with your seatbelt and everything. … The keys is yours, when you get [to be] 16.”
The most infamous moment from the vlog involved Diddy’s description of how he planned to spend his 48 hours with Bieber.
“Right now, [Bieber] is having 48 hours with Diddy. Him and his boy, they’re having the times of their lives,” the rapper boasted. “Where we’re hanging out and what we’re doing, we can’t really disclose. It’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream.”
Diddy then promised, “For the next 48 hours, he’s with me and we’re gonna go full buck crazy!”
When Bieber suggested they “go get some girls,” Diddy hugged him and referred to Bieber as “a man after my own heart.”
Another early vlog featured Diddy teasing Bieber while visiting him in the studio. The rapper joked that Bieber was too busy “selling out arenas” to keep in touch.
