Here is a timeline on Diddy and Justin Bieber's relationship as the singer addresses the allegations that he was a 'victim' during the producer's ongoing trial.
Diddy - real name Sean Combs - is currently on trial and is accused of several charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution - all of which he has denied.
Combs' ex-girlfriend, Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, has been giving her testimony to court over the past two days, where she has alleged years of abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, as well as being allegedly forced into participating in the so-called 'freak-offs'.
A few celebrities have been mentioned in the trial, however, one surprising insight recently arrived via Bieber's representative, who told TMZ: "Although Justin is not among Sean Combs' victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him. Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve."
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Combs and Bieber's relationship goes way back to 2009, when the Canadian singer first exploded onto the music scene.
2009: Justin Bieber and P Diddy meet for the first time
Just months after Scooter Braun discovered singer Bieber on YouTube and became his manager, Diddy expressed an interest in mentoring him.
In a viral video titled 'JUSTIN BIEBER's 48 HRS with DIDDY!!' originally posted in 2009 when Bieber was 15, Diddy referred to having 'custody' of the superstar teenager.
"Where we're hanging out and what we're doing, we can't really disclose, but it's definitely a 15-year-old's dream. For the next 48 hours he's with me. And we're gonna go full. Buck full crazy," said the music mogul, while also promising Bieber a white Lamborghini for his next birthday and a mansion for his 18th.
2010: Diddy calls out Bieber for 'lack of contact'
A year later, Diddy was filmed reprimanding Bieber about a supposed lack of communication in a video which is believed to have been taken around the time that he was recording his debut album, 'My World 2.0'.
"Everything’s good? Selling out arenas and everything? Starting to act different, huh?" he asked Bieber. "You ain’t been calling me and hanging out the way we used to hang out."
Seemingly confused by this turn of events but keen to keep the peace, Bieber then pointed out: "You tried to get in contact with me throughout all my [projects] and what not – but you never got my number.
"I’m going to tell you my number."
2011: Bieber and Diddy's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Teaming up for a 2011 appearance on US talkshow Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Diddy revealed they'd become buddies 'in a strange way' and that Bieber was more like his 'little brother'.
"He's one of the greatest kids you could ever know," he added.
Kimmel was aware of Diddy's previous supercar and property promise to the youngster, so he made sure to ask what had happened since.
"[Bieber] had the Lambo for a day or two and he had access to the house," replied the rapper. "And he knows better than to be talking about the things that he does with Big Brother Puff on national television."
2014-2015: Diddy and Bieber seen at a party
Bieber and Diddy are seen partying together more frequently around this period of time as Bieber's fame goes stratospheric.
In 2014, a shirtless Bieber is spotted at Diddy's Ciroc party in Atlanta, Georgia.
According to The Daily Mail, footage of the party seems to be for the singer's 22nd birthday, with Combs giving Bieber a Bad Boy Entertainment bomber jacket.
2015-2025: Bieber and Diddy's interactions falter
Bieber undergoes a rebrand from his former 'bad boy' image, later telling Seventeen in 2015: "I was rebelling a little bit. I was getting cockier and cockier. I didn't have people to check me, I looked back and I was disappointed in myself."
He then marries Hailey Baldwin in 2018, with whom he now shares a son with.
A video in 2021 shows the pair reuniting where Combs appears to pat down Bieber, The Independent reports.
Two years later, the 'One Less Lonely Girl' singer makes a guest appearance on his fifth album 'The Love Album: Off the Grid'.
LADbible Group has previously contacted Combs and Bieber's representatives for comment.
Topics: Diddy, Justin Bieber, Crime
Dan Seddon