Inside Sean 'Diddy' Combs' friendship with Justin Bieber that left child star 'broken'

As Sean 'Diddy' Combs remains incarcerated at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Centre on sex trafficking charges, the rapper's friendship with Justin Bieber has been the topic of conversation

Eyebrow-raising videos featuring a young Justin Bieber and Sean 'Diddy' Combs have resurfaced in the wake of millionaire rapper's arrest earlier this month.

Combs, 54, was arrested at a New York City hotel on Sept. 16 and later jailed without bail on federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs denies the charges, with his lawyer describing the music mogul as "an innocent man with nothing to hide."

As Combs remains incarcerated at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Centre, it's claimed Bieber is aware of his long-time friend and collaborator's legal woes but is focusing his attention on parenthood instead. A source close to Bieber, who recently welcomed son Jack into the world with wife Hailey Bieber, added the new dad has been "in a happy bubble" since Jack was born and "just wants to focus on being a great dad and husband."

But while Bieber, 30, may want to remain quiets on Combs' arrest, chatter about the dad-of-one's friendship with Combs has dominated internet conversations over recent weeks. We take a look at all the viral videos circulating on social media and Bieber's relationship with Combs...

'Forty-eight hours with Diddy'

Early ties were formed between the two artists right from the start of Bieber's time in the spotlight. A young Justin at 15 broke into the music world after signing with Usher's record label, becoming part of the Caught Up entourage. Combs is credited with helping launch Usher's career and other artists like Biggie Smalls and Mary J Blige.

One of the videos taking during the early days of Bieber's rise to fame shows Combs and a young Bieber in 2009 ahead of spending a weekend together. In the clip, Combs can be heard saying: "He's having forty-eight hours with Diddy, where we hanging out and what we're doing we can't really disclose, but it's definitely a 15-year-old's dream."

Discussing his role as a mentor to Justin, akin to his previous relationship with Usher, Combs explained: "I have been given custody of him. He's signed to Usher and I had legal guardianship of Usher when he did his first album. I don't have legal guardianship of him [Bieber] but for the next forty-eight hours he's with me and we're gonna go full crazy."

"Let’s go get some girls," Bieber then tells Combs when asked what he wants to do. "Man after my heart,” the rapper responds. "That’s what I’m talking about."

'Creepy' phone number video

An awkward exchange between Bieber and Combs has also resurfaced online over recent weeks, causing discomfort among viewers. The footage shows the rapper criticising Bieber for not maintaining contact since becoming a household name.

As they shook hands, a young Bieber reassured Combs that he was "all good", only for Combs to probe further: "Everything's good? Selling out arenas and everything?" The mood turned when Combs remarked: "Starting to act different, huh? You ain't been calling me and hanging out the way we used to hang out."

In the video, a 16 year old Bieber stammered in response: "I mean you tried to get in contact with me throughout all my [projects] and what not - but you never got my number." Bieber then took out his phone and told Combs: "I'm going to tell you my number." Many have dubbed the exchange "creepy" in light of Combs' arrest.

Wire check

Another strange video captures the two stars, now both adults, in what seems to be a heartfelt hug. However, eagle-eyed fans have pointed out that Combs' gestures might signify something beyond a simple embrace.

In the video, believed to be from about three years ago, Combs and Bieber exchange solemn looks. They slap hands and draw in for a friendly pat, but some onlookers have remarked on Combs lingering touches over Bieber's back, torso, and chest - leading one person to suggest it appears as though the rapper is frisking him.

Although the interaction could be seen in a more troubling light due to recent claims made against Combs, it might just be an innocent display of camaraderie. The clip, shared on Twitter (X), has fuelled speculation, with some suggesting that Combs "appeared to be checking Justin to see if he is wearing a wire," possibly to detect any hidden recording devices during their conversation.

After the clip went viral, social media users were quick to chime in with their theories on the original post. One user commented: "Diddy wouldn't have known if Justin Bieber was wearing a wire in this video just by tapping his chest, there could be more explanation to what he did here."

Another added their two cents with a tongue-in-cheek remark: "it's possible" while someone else took a swipe at the conspiracy, saying: "Yeah [...] that's exactly how people check for wires. Tapping on random places rather than just a flat palm." One observer suggested: "He's poking him while speaking to him to get his point across. People do that all the time."

Bieber's message for Combs just months before arrest

A now 30 year old Bieber featured on Diddy's latest album, The Love Album: Off The Grid, contributing to a track titled Moments. Upon the album's release last September, prior to allegations against Combs coming to light, Bieber took to Instagram to share a touching note about the collaboration.

"I remember going to my brother Diddy's office to pitch him a song I wrote for him when I was like 14, sadly the song was trash haha," he shared on his Instagram Story. "And it would be a hard no from him, fast forward to a few years ago Puff asked if I would freestyle something for his upcoming love album. Wild full circle moment, love you @diddy," he added in the post.

However, in the wake of Combs' arrest, it's alleged Bieber regrets working on the album. "Bieber is so disturbed by the Diddy news and is unwilling to process it or discuss it so he has shut off," a source said last week. "So many people who helped to make him who he is were very close to Diddy and it has completely thrown him," they told the Daily Mail. The Baby singer is reportedly so distraught that he won't be commenting on any of the allegations.

The source went on to claim that Bieber regrets working on Combs; most recent album, something that the source said the dad-of-one wouldn't have done if "he had known any of this." Bieber also reportedly had a "long break" from spending time with Combs "when he believes most of this took place."

Combs was arrested on Monday September 16 in New York City on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. He's been denied bail multiple times and is currently being held in the Metropolitan Detention Centre (MDC) in Brooklyn. Combs has pled not guilty to the charges and has denied all wrongdoing. His attorney Marc Agnifilo told press outside court on Tuesday September 17: "Mr Combs is a fighter, he's going to fight this to the end. He's innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence. He's not afraid, he's not afraid of the charges."

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