Justin Bieber has reportedly spoken out after former mentor and collaborator P Diddy was charged with a number of crimes, the pop star saying he is focusing on being a family man.
The musician, now 30, recently became a dad for the first time to newborn tot Jack Blues with wife Hailey Bieber and is keeping his attention on them.
US publication People reported that the star is trying not to focus on the charges and accusations against rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was arrested on September 16 on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and sexual assault and other crimes. He pleaded not guilty to the three-count indictment, was denied bail and taken to jail to await trial.
A source reportedly told People: “(Justin is) aware of Diddy’s arrest and all the allegations. It’s not anything that he wants to focus on, though.
“(He has) been in a happy bubble since baby Jack was born. He just wants to focus on being a great dad and husband.”
The former rap mogul was arrested at a New York hotel after he was indicted by a grand jury.
US attorney Damian Williams confirmed that Diddy had been taken into custody by federal agents based on a then-sealed indictment. Unsealed the following day, it revealed that the rapper-producer had been charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, replied to the charges, saying: "We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr Combs by the US Attorney’s Office," Agnifilo said. "Sean ‘Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person but he is not a criminal."
But how do Diddy and Bieber even know each other? And why are their names linked? Here is what we know.
Why are Diddy and Justin Bieber associated?
The pair first formed a tie when Bieber was a very young and very new artist on the US scene.
Bieber was just 15 years old when broke into the music world after signing with Usher's record label, becoming part of the Caught Up entourage.
Usher is known to have links to Sean Combs who is credited with launching his career, as well as the likes of Biggie Small and Mary J Blige.
What has been said about the pair since the arrest?
Videos of a young Bieber with P Diddy have resurfaced since news of the arrest was made public.
Many have raised concerns online about the content of the videos, which were taken during the early days of Bieber's rise to fame.
In one, reportedly shot in 2009, Combs and Bieber, claimed to have been spending a weekend together. In one 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."
On another, shot years later, a clearly uncomfortable Bieber is seen being questioned by the rapper, over a lack of contact.
As they shook hands to say hello, a young Bieber told Combs that he was "all good", only for Combs to further question: "Everything's good? Selling out arenas and everything?"
Combs then can be heard to say: "Starting to act different, huh? You ain't been calling me and hanging out the way we used to hang out."
Bieber stammers 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 shared the video, saying it is worrying in the light of Combs' arrest.
What has Bieber said about the arrest?
Justin Bieber has not said anything publicly but some publications have said friends close to Bieber say he was devastated by Combs’ arrest.
The Daily Mail reported that friends are growing concerned about Justin Bieber, with a fear he is “shutting down” over the allegations.
It reported a friend close to Bieber as saying: “"Bieber is so disturbed by the Diddy news and is unwilling to process it or discuss it so he has shut off. So many people who helped to make him who he is were very close to Diddy and it has completely thrown him.
“Justin hasn't been responding on this since the home raids. He's not going to.
“He had a long break from Diddy when he believes most of this took place and he had distanced himself from him.
“He was featured on Diddy's most recent album, and had he known any of this, there is no way he would have done it.”
