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Usher defends Diddy, says his image has been misrepresented
26th March, 2026 02:40 PM
R&B star Usher has spoken out in defence of Sean “Diddy” Combs, saying the embattled music mogul has been misrepresented in the public eye
In an interview with Forbes on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Usher reflected on his early career and the time he spent living with Diddy while working on his debut album in the 1990s.
Despite the controversies surrounding the Bad Boy Records founder, Usher said his personal experience with Combs was very different from the image currently being portrayed.
“I don’t have anything negative to say about Sean Combs because my experience was not what the world has seen,” Usher said, adding that he believes Diddy’s story has not been fully understood.
Usher acknowledged that his opinion may be seen as controversial, given the serious legal issues Diddy has faced in recent years. However, he maintained that his views are shaped by his own experience, not public perception.
“I’m not saying that every man is perfect… but I can’t ignore the valuable contributions he made,” he said, pointing to Diddy’s role in shaping opportunities for Black entrepreneurs and influencing the music industry.
Influence beyond music
He also spoke about the impact Diddy had on his personal and professional growth. Usher explained that being around Combs at a young age exposed him to the business side of the industry early on.
“I realised that what I learned as a businessman before I even understood what business was came as a result of seeing the incredible things that he was able to do,” he said.
The comments come as Diddy continues to face legal challenges following his 2025 conviction on federal prostitution-related charges, for which he was sentenced to four years and two months in prison.
The conviction followed multiple lawsuits and allegations, including claims of abuse and misconduct. Diddy has denied several of the allegations, though he publicly apologised after footage surfaced showing him assaulting singer Cassie Ventura.
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William Muthama
William Muthama is a digital journalist with a focus on entertainment, human interest, and current affairs. Share stories: [email protected]/ [email protected]
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