Justin Bieber is reportedly so deeply ‘disturbed’ by the news of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ arrest for sex trafficking that he has shut himself off from the world.
Combs, 54, was arrested in New York on Monday and charged with years of coercion and abuse, using blackmail and violence to control his victims.
He is also accused of inducing female victims and male sex workers to engage in sexual acts, sometimes lasting for days under the influence of drugs, known as ‘Freak Offs’.
An insider told DailyMail.com exclusively that new father Bieber, 30, is completely “devastated” by the shocking allegations and is struggling to make sense of them, especially considering he worked with Combs less than a year ago.
The source said of the vulnerable singer: ‘Bieber is so shocked by the news about Diddy that he doesn’t want to process it or talk about it, so he’s shut down.
Justin Bieber is deeply ‘disturbed’ by news of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ arrest for alleged sex trafficking, insiders say
The 54-year-old rapper was arrested and jailed in connection with a federal sex trafficking case that has sent shockwaves through the music industry
“There are so many people who made him who he is, and who knew Diddy very well. It completely threw him off.
“Justin hasn’t responded to this since the searches. He won’t.”
The insider added that Bieber also regrets working with the disgraced mogul last year, and that he never would have done so if he had known about the allegations that have since come to light.
They continued, “He had taken a long break from Diddy when he believed most of this was happening and he had distanced himself from him.
“He was on Diddy’s most recent album, and if he had known about it, he never would have done it.”
Bieber, who was just a child when he befriended Combs, was featured on Combs’ song “Moment,” which appeared on his 2023 album The Love Album: Off the Grid.
After the album’s release in October, Bieber reflected on his first meeting with Combs.
“I remember going to my brother Diddy’s office to present him with a song I wrote for him when I was 14,” he wrote on Instagram.
Bieber, 30, was just a kid when he struck up a friendship with Combs (2010 photo)
An insider told DailyMail.com that Bieber is “so shocked” by the news that he has “closed himself off”
The music mogul pleaded not guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit extortion and sex trafficking
“Unfortunately the song was crap haha and he would absolutely disapprove.”
He continued: ‘Fast forward to a few years ago, Puff asked me if I wanted to freestyle something for his upcoming love album. Wild full circle moment, love you @diddy.’
In March, old clips of Bieber and Combs resurfaced, shortly after Homeland Security raided the music mogul’s properties in Miami and Los Angeles.
In one of the videos, Combs is seen standing next to the 15-year-old pop star and telling the camera, “He’s got 48 hours with Diddy, and we’re not really allowed to say what we’re doing and what we’re doing.”
“But it’s absolutely every 15-year-old’s dream.”
Creepy footage of Combs and Bieber surfaced online after the rapper’s properties were searched earlier this year as part of the ongoing sex trafficking investigation
The hip-hop star added: ‘I got custody of him. He’s signed to Usher and I had legal custody of Usher when he made his first album.
I have no legal guardianship over him [Bieber] but for the next 48 hours he’s with me and we’re going to have a blast.’
Bieber, wearing a black baseball cap and a purple T-shirt, laughs and looks at Combs throughout the video, making little comments like “yeah” and “totally crazy.”
The video was posted on social media and sparked a flood of criticism and concern.
In another resurfaced clip, the rapper quizzed the 16-year-old Bieber about why he hasn’t been speaking to him as much anymore.
“What’s up man, you good? Selling out arenas and stuff?” Combs asked the young man.
“You’re starting to act different, aren’t you? You don’t call me or hang out with me like we used to.”
A clip showed a 16-year-old Bieber looking anxious as he answered Combs’ questions
In the video, Combs questioned Bieber about why he hadn’t spoken to him since his career took off
Bieber responded nervously to his musical colleague.
“I mean, you’ve been trying to contact me for all my… and whatnot… and you never got my number,” he said. “I’m going to tell you my number.”
Combs pleaded not guilty on Tuesday and was denied bail despite his legal team’s request to release him on $50 million and allow for digital surveillance.
The artist is accused of using “power and prestige” to lure and intimidate women “under the pretext of a romantic relationship.”
According to the indictment, he then used violence, threats and coercion to induce the women to contact male sex workers in the “Freak Offs.” These “elaborate and produced sex performances” were organized and directed by Combs, who masturbated and often recorded the performances.
The indictment further alleged that some of the “Freak Offs” lasted for days and that Combs and his victims had to be given intravenous fluids to recover from the exertion and drug use.
According to Combs’ attorney Marc Agnifilo, the “Freak Offs” arose from the star’s on-again, off-again relationship with R&B singer Cassie and were not coercive.
Prosecutors say they have interviewed more than 50 victims and witnesses and expect that number to increase.