Several Academy officials are allegedly pushing not to invite the hip-hop mogul to the upcoming ceremony as some publicists ask that their artists aren't seated close to the rapper.
- Dec 6, 2023
AceShowbiz - Sean "P. Diddy" Combs isn't the only one left worrying about his future amid sexual assault allegations against him. The lawsuits filed against the rapper by Cassie and two other women have reportedly left the Grammys scrambling to deal with the aftermath of his legal issue.
Per Mirror's report, several officials within the Academy are trying to get the Bad Boy Records founder removed from the guest list as a number of celebrities have requested to not be seated near him. A so-called music insider told the U.K. news outlet, "The formal invitations go out this month. There's conflict at the academy as several voting members do not think it would be appropriate to invite Diddy."
"Some, including several high profile African-American members, fear that inviting him sends the wrong message to audiences and the charities it supports," the informant spilled. "Several publicists have asked that their artists aren't seated by him. It's a logistical nightmare."
Diddy was slapped with a sexual assault lawsuit by his ex Cassie in November. In the suit, she accused the rapper of rape, abuse and sex trafficking during their on-off relationship from 2007 to 2018. He settled the lawsuit with the singer one day later, with his attorney insisting that the settlement was in "no way" an admission of his client's "wrongdoing."
Later, two other women filed civil cases against the "I Need a Girl" hitmaker. A woman named Joi Dickerson-Neal accused him of rape, drugging and revenge porn back in 1991. Meanwhile, a third woman, who is identified as Jane Doe, alleged that Diddy and R&B star Aaron Hall took turns raping her and her friend at an MCA Records event in New York City in the early 1990s.
Following the third lawsuit, his spokesperson said in a statement, "These are civil suits with fabricated claims of misconduct from over 30 years ago, which are nothing but a blatant money grab. Mr. Combs is being unfairly targeted by anonymous accusers who lie for financial gain. The New York Legislature never intended the Adult Survivors Act to be exploited."
The spokesperson also called the lawsuit an attempt at "money grab" and called the rapper "an easy target" due to his fame. "This is nothing but a money grab. Because of Mr. Combs' fame and success, he is an easy target for anonymous accusers who lie without conscience or consequence for financial benefit," the rep told Page Six, before warning, "The public should be skeptical and not rush to accept these bogus allegations."
