Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
Former acquaintances of Sean 'Diddy' Combs have shed light on his infamous 'white parties' where women were 'laid out' to act as tables for guests.
Insights to Combs' parties have come to light in the new documentary The Fall of Diddy, in which former friends, employees and companions of the rapper have spoken out about their experiences and the numerous allegations that have come to light against Combs throughout his decades-long career.
Rob Shuter, who worked as a publicist for Combs between 2003-2005, described how the musician was considered a 'king' in New York once he rose to fame.
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"He was so much fun, he threw the best parties," Shutter said, recalling how celebrities would 'let their hair down' at the events.
Shuter told the BBC: "When Diddy winked at you and said come into the VIP section, you knew you were going to have a really good night."
Danyel Smith, who crossed paths with Combs when she worked as the former editor of Vibe magazine, described the parties as 'Gatsby-esque', saying he threw a bash on the same level seen 'in the movies'.
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"They were huge," she said.
However, journalist Mara S. Campo recalled details emerging from the parties at the time they were taking place, including the claim there was 'a lot of debauchery'.
She continued: "Puffy would have women laid out and have food on their bodies. These are things that were photographed and publicized and just viewed as kind of grand and opulent."
Images featured in the documentary show guests stood over tables with women lying on their backs, with food placed across their bodies for attendees to pick at.
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B. Scott, a social media personality who was working as a blogger in the period of Combs' infamous parties, recalled hearing about 'sexual escapades' from the events, but they claimed they 'wouldn't run certain things' on their blog because they feared 'retribution'.
"He felt and seemed like he was invincible," Scott said.
More disturbing details about events held by Combs have been shared as he became the subject of criminal and civil lawsuits, which have accused the rapper of abuse and sexual assault.
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In the documentary, victims and witnesses speak out about instances of alleged abuse and sexual assault they either witnessed or experienced themselves.
In response to a request for comment from the creators of The Fall of Diddy, Combs' legal team said: "Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court the truth will prevail: that the accusations against Mr. Combs are pure fiction."
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org
Topics: Diddy, Film and TV, Crime
Emily Brown