Netflix hits back at Diddy’s criticism of ‘shameful’ documentary

Netflix insists its new documentary about Sean “Diddy” Combs, directed by rapper 50 Cent, “is not a hit or an act of retaliation,” following criticism from the jailed former hip-hop mogul.

A spokesman for Combs called the four-part documentary, “Sean Combs: The Reckoning,” an “embarrassing hit” that was “based on stolen footage.”

It includes what Netflix called “explosive” footage filmed in the days before his arrest, including a phone call with his lawyer. Combs was found guilty of prostitution-related charges in July.

His representative said the use of his private recordings was “fundamentally unfair and unlawful,” but Netflix said the material was obtained legally.

Representative Combs also said it was “striking” that Netflix handed creative control over to Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, whom he described as a “longtime adversary with a personal vendetta.”

“Netflix is ​​clearly desperate to sensationalize every minute of Mr. Combs' life, with no regard for the truth, in order to profit from the never-ending media frenzy,” the statement said.

“If Netflix cared about the truth or Mr. Combs' legal rights, it would not have taken private footage out of context, including conversations with his lawyers that were never intended for public viewing. No rights to this material have ever been transferred to Netflix or any third party.”

The statement added: “For Netflix to tell its life story to someone who has publicly attacked it for decades seems unnecessary and a deeply personal insult. At a minimum, he expected justice from people he respected.”

The documentary opens with footage of Combs in a hotel room six days before his arrest in September 2024, talking on the phone with lawyer Mark Agnifilo and telling him he wanted to “fight for his life.”

Pushing Agnifilo toward a more open media strategy to protest his innocence, Combs told him, “We have to find someone who will work with us. [the] Media and propaganda”.

At another point, viewers see Combs talking on the phone with his son Justin five days before his arrest. “God told me not to do anything… [but] other people need to do something because this is funny,” he said in the clip.

A spokesman for Combs said the documentary contains footage that was “never authorized for release.”

“As Netflix and CEO Ted Sarandos know, Mr. Combs has been collecting footage since he was 19 to tell his own story in his own way. It is grossly unfair and unlawful for Netflix to misappropriate this work.”

In response, Netflix said: “The allegations about Sean Combs: Reckoning are false.

“The project has nothing to do with any past conversations between Sean Combs and Netflix. The video of Combs leading up to his indictment and arrest was obtained legally. This is not reporting or an act of retaliation.

“Curtis Jackson is an executive producer but has no creative control. No one was paid to participate.”

The long-running feud between Jackson and Combs dates back two decades.

Jackson told ABC News on “Good Morning America.” on Monday: “If I didn’t say anything, you would interpret it as hip-hop being okay with how he behaves. Nobody talks anymore.”

The director of the documentary, Alexandria Stapleton, spoke about the new footage. said: “It reached us, we received the footage legally and have the necessary rights. We moved heaven and earth to keep the director's identity a secret.”

The documentary was released Tuesday and is billed as a “stunning exploration” of Combs' career as one of the most influential men in hip-hop.

It includes allegations that he was involved in the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996, as well as recordings of a police interview in which former gang member Dwayne “Keff D” Davis claims Combs offered him $1 million (£769,000) to attack Shakur.

Mr Davis is due to stand trial for Shakur's murder in 2026. Now he says his agreement with police, in which he agreed to tell them what he knew but it couldn't be used against him in court, was given under duress, according to Netflix.

The program also features Kirk Burroughs, who co-founded Bad Boy Entertainment with Combs, claiming that he believes Combs “had a lot to do with Tupac's death.”

Combs has always denied any involvement in Shakur's death.

The documentary also features further allegations of violence and threats, many of which were previously made public in dozens of lawsuits, including the alleged abuse of Cassie's ex-girlfriend, which ended in a settlement.

Combs previously denied the complaints, calling them “disgusting” and “full of lies.”

In a statement to the media earlier this year, his lawyers said “anyone can bring a lawsuit,” adding, “No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it will not change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually abused or sex trafficked anyone—male or female, adult or minor.”

The documentary also includes interviews with two jurors in Combs' case.

In July, he was found guilty of two charges of transportation for the purpose of prostitution, but found not guilty of the most serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking of two ex-girlfriends.

He is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence and has said he will appeal.