Diddy criticizes 50 Cent's Netflix Documentary while Rapper remains silent on Competitor's Pre-Arrest Footage

Sean Diddy Combs representatives have issued a strong condemnation of the upcoming Netflix documentary produced by his longtime rival, rapper 50 Cent. The series, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, features footage captured by Combs himself in the days leading up to his arrest in September 2024. His team described the series as a shameful hit piece and labeled it unfair, illegal, and an unnecessary and deeply personal affront.

The statement, released by Combs publicist Juda Engelmayer, came shortly after Good Morning America aired a segment including an interview with 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, and Alex Stapleton, the documentarys director. The segment also showed footage of Combs from the series in the days before his arrest.

Combs is currently serving a 50-month sentence following his federal trial this summer on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. The trial concluded with a split verdict: Combs was convicted of Mann Act violations but acquitted on the sex trafficking and RICO charges, which could have carried a life sentence.

Engelmayers statement, shared with The Hollywood Reporter, read: Netflixs so-called documentary is a shameful hit piece. Todays GMA teaser confirms that Netflix relied on stolen footage that was never authorized for release. Mr. Combs has been recording his life since the age of 19 to tell his own story. It is fundamentally unfair and illegal for Netflix to exploit this work without permission.

The statement continues: Netflix appears determined to sensationalize every aspect of Mr. Combs life, regardless of truth, to capitalize on ongoing media attention. Private footage, including conversations with his lawyers, was taken out of context and was never meant for public release. No rights to this material were ever transferred to Netflix or any third party.

Combs team also criticized Netflix for giving creative control of the project to Jackson, describing him as a longtime adversary with a personal vendetta who has publicly attacked Combs for years. The statement emphasized that this decision was a personal breach of trust and a deeply personal affront, noting Combs respect for Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and admiration for the legacy of Clarence Avant.

In a prior interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jackson and Stapleton declined to reveal how they obtained the pre-arrest footage. Jackson asked, Why would you ask us to reveal our sources? while Stapleton maintained that the footage was obtained legally. However, Engelmayer reiterated to The New York Times that the material was never authorized for release, describing it as private moments, pre-indictment material from an unfinished project, and conversations involving legal strategy.

A second trailer for the docuseries, released Monday, shows Combs in a Manhattan hotel six days before his arrest, discussing a plan with a colleague: We have to find somebody thatll work with us that has dealt in the dirtiest of dirty business. Footage aired on GMA also shows Combs on the phone with his attorneys, stating: Yall are not working together the right way. Were losing. Additional clips show Combs interacting with a fan and later asking for hand sanitizer, commenting on his exposure to the public: Ive got to take a bath.

Sean Combs: The Reckoning is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on Tuesday. Netflix has not responded publicly to Engelmayers statements.

Author: Sophia Brooks