Nov. 6, 2024
By Jacob Collins Dodd
Staff Writer
On Sept. 18, Sean “Diddy” Combs was ordered into custody without the possibility of bail after 10 months facing civil and criminal charges, notably racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Combs is a rapper and impresario credited with the discovery of many music artists, including Mary J. Blige, the Notorious B.I.G. and Usher.
On Nov. 16, 2023, R&B singer Cassie Ventura filed a federal lawsuit against him alleging sexual abuse, according to National Public Radio. Four other claims of that nature against Combs were filed shortly thereafter, three by women who alleged he raped and drugged them, and one by a male music producer who accused Combs of grooming and coercing him to hire sex workers for prostitution.
History teacher Mr. Tessalone said he grew up watching Combs on MTV.
Tessalone said the public has scrutinized Combs on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
“I think he’s been convicted on the internet,” Tessalone said. “He has to be convicted in a court of law, not the internet.”
Additionally, many photos and videos surfaced on social media following Combs’ criminal proceedings, which raised questions about the public figures and celebrities he associated with and with whom he potentially committed crimes.
“You start to think about the possibilities. What did Ashton Kutcher know? What did Jay-Z know? I know [the public is] talking about Beyoncé,” Tessalone said.
“I think that people will be more skeptical of large celebrity gatherings and that [people] will seek for accountability of all celebrities.”
In recent years, celebrities, including Louis C.K., Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein, who have committed crimes similar to those for which Combs is facing charges, have lost significant support from the public.
Sophomore Ana Goncalves said she does not support celebrities who engage in illegal activities.
“I think [the controversy] will cause a butterfly effect of canceling creators,” Goncalves said.
On Sept. 17, Combs posted a $50 million bond to be released from police custody. He also offered to wear a GPS tracker and agreed to limit his travel to Miami and New York City to make court appearances, attend doctor’s appointments and meet with his lawyers, according to Newsweek.
Goncalves said she believes Combs’ lawsuits will lead to long-term change.
“[Celebrities] don’t like to take accountability… and they’re trying to pay themselves out,” Goncalves said. “I think that people will be more skeptical of large celebrity gatherings and that [people] will seek for accountability of all celebrities.”
As of Oct. 23, over 127 separate lawsuits have been filed against Combs, according to CNN. These lawsuits accuse Combs of sexually assaulting multiple people, including a 16-year-old boy.
Sophomore Sheyanna Urgiles said the charges against Combs underscore the necessity of educating teenagers about sexual consent.
“The most important thing is to know who to give consent to, because I feel like there [are] a lot of young people who just give consent to anybody, and they think everybody is a good person, and it is completely not true,” Urgiles said. “There [are] really bad people in this world, and I don’t think it’s okay for kids not to understand that.”
Urgiles said she believes Combs’ career is over as a result of the allegations against him.
“I don’t think he can recover from the situation at all. [Legal authorities] keep finding more and more, and he just keeps getting deeper into the mess,” said Urgiles.
