Usher has sparked backlash after insisting he has ‘nothing negative to say’ about Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, despite the disgraced mogul’s convictions.
The rapper was accused of running a sex trafficking operation and was convicted on two counts of transportation for prostitution of his former girlfriend, singer Ventura, and another woman, known as Jane, who had testified in the trial.
Usher, 47, who has known Combs for decades, made the comments during an appearance on Forbes’ The Enterprise Zone, where he was asked to describe influential figures in his life with a single word.
When Combs’ name came up, Usher replied simply: ‘Legacy.’
Pressed further, the Nice and Slow singer doubled down, acknowledging his view might be ‘controversial’ but arguing that Combs’ contributions should not be overlooked.
‘I don’t have anything negative to say about Sean Combs because my experience was not what the world has seen and how he’s been misrepresented,’ he said.
‘In many ways, I think certain people are prosecuted and maybe not recognized for the greatness that they offer.’
The remarks have not gone down well with fans, many of whom see them as tone-deaf given the severity of the allegations and convictions surrounding Combs.
One X user wrote, ‘Saying you have nothing negative to say about diddy right now is one of the loudest things you could possibly say,’ while others called it ‘disappointing’ and ‘insulting to Diddy’s victims.’
The 56-year-old has been behind bars since his arrest in September 2024, and in July 2025.
While he was acquitted of more serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, he was sentenced to four years and two months in prison and fined $500,000.
The court heard about Combs’ alleged days-long sex parties, or ‘freak offs’, during which he allegedly coerced multiple victims into sex acts.
The court was also shown video footage of Diddy kicking and hitting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, while at the InterContinental Hotel in 2016, before dragging her across the floor.
The surveillance footage was widely circulated over the past year, with Combs himself allegedly purchasing it himself for $50,000 (£37.6k) the day after the beating, seemingly in an attempt to prevent it from becoming public.
Now, reports in recent weeks suggest his time in custody may be extended. Originally due for release in May 2028, his date has reportedly been pushed back to June after alleged rule-breaking inside the low-security Fort Dix facility in New Jersey.
According to reports, Combs was accused of drinking homemade alcohol brewed by inmates, though his representatives have denied the claims, insisting he remains focused on sobriety and self-improvement.
He is said to be working in the prison chapel, enrolled in a rehabilitation programme, and even teaching business classes to fellow inmates.
Still, for many observers, Usher’s comments feel out of step with the broader public reaction to the case.
Combs played a pivotal role in Usher’s early career, mentoring him as a teenager and helping shape his rise in the music industry. But fans have questioned whether loyalty should outweigh accountability.
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