Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors
An old video of Justin Bieber and Sean “Diddy” Combs has gone viral following Diddy’s recent arrest, during which he was charged with racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution charges.
In the video, believed to be taken sometime in 2021, Diddy, now 54, hugged Bieber, now 30, and held onto the singer’s shoulder, seemingly patting down his shirt down. At first, the rapper tapped Bieber’s chest lightly with his knuckles and then went on to use the palm of his hand. The “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper says something that can’t be deciphered to Bieber in the video as the singer looks down at the floor. The two then share one last hug before parting ways.
The video may have seemed innocuous when it was first released, but the developments of Diddy’s federal case have fans seeing the footage in a new light.
Larry Marano/Getty Images
People have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the re-contextualized video, with one user on TikTok surmising that Diddy is “feeling him out just to make sure Bieber isn’t wearing a wire! 💯” A user on X (formerly known as Twitter) chimed in, saying, “Gosh, he looks like a whipped pup when that sicko is around! 😪,” while another added, “Nothing to see here but textbook trauma bonding! Poor Justin Bieber!”
The hip-hop mogul and Bieber first met in 2009 through Usher, who was also mentored by Diddy. The Bad Boy Records founder was arrested on September 16 and is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all allegations and plans to testify in court on May 5, 2025.
Bieber has not spoken out publicly about Diddy’s arrest, and according to a Us Weekly source, wants “nothing to do” with his ex-mentor and is focusing on himself and his family’s well-being since the arrest.
