Diddy’s alleged ‘freak offs’ served a greater purpose, according to the details of his newly released indictment. The Bad Boy mogul would allegedly use the sex and drug-fueled events to enforce control.

The New York Times reported that Diddy would not only watch these “freak offs” while masturbating, but he would also allegedly recorded them and “used the sensitive, embarrassing and incriminating recordings that he made during Freak Offs as collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of the victims,” according to the indictment.

The ‘freak offs’ were “elaborate and produced sex performances that COMBS arranged” and directed, the indictment added. “In arranging these Freak Offs, COMBS, with the assistance of members and associates of the Combs Enterprise, transported, and caused to be transported, commercial sex workers across state lines and internationally.”

The indictment alleged that the Freak Offs regularly happened sometimes lasted for days at a time, involving sex workers, and a “variety of controlled substances” were given to those involved to keep the alleged victims “obedient and compliant.”

Without the alleged victims knowing, Diddy reportedly kept videos he filmed of participants engaging in sex. And because the Freak Offs would last days at a time, Diddy’s staff allegedly gave those participating IV fluids to recover from “the physical exertion and drug use.”

Notable Black celebs have sense took to social media to share their own takes on Diddy’s charges.

“Here I am keeping good company with @DrewBarrymoreTV and I don’t have 1,000 bottles of lube at the house,” wrote 50 cent on X/Twitter on Tuesday. The rapper referenced a detail about alleged “freak off” supplies that were found during a raid of Diddy’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami.

But internet personality Andrea Junker seemed to write what everyone has been thinking about the allegations that keep coming out about powerful men.

“Everyone knew about Sean “Diddy” Combs. Everyone knew about R. Kelly, Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, and Jeffrey Epstein. Everyone knew about Donald Trump. I’m so tired of people protecting rich perverts, keeping their dark secrets for decades. So damn tired,” she wrote on X.

Vice President Kamala Harris took questions during an exclusive, wide-ranging interview hosted by NABJ and WHYY on Tuesday in Philadelphia, which included a question from theGrio’s Gerren Keith Gaynor about the role of Black male voters in the upcoming election.

“Black men are like any other voting group; you’ve got to earn their vote,” Harris told the panel, which was co-moderated by Gaynor, along with Poltico’s Eugene Daniels and NPR WHYY’s Tonya Mosley. “So I’m working to earn the vote. Not assuming I’m going to have it because I am Black.”

While the majority of Black voters polled say they intend to choose Harris — 77% according to the Pew Research Center — many headlines have repeated narratives that more Black men say they are supporting former President Donald Trump this election cycle.

Harris also discussed her plans to expand the amount of money entrepreneurs can deduct when they launch a startup business from $5,000 to $50,000, saying the the $5,000 deduction wasn’t nearly enough to help people get their businesses off the ground.

“Part of my approach is understanding the obstacles that traditionally and currently exist to allow anyone, including Black men, to be able to achieve economic wealth, and I’m going to tell you I don’t think it is sufficient to only talk about economic policy around reducing unemployment,” Harris continued.

During the interview Harris also addressed questions about the affordability of child care and improving the cost of housing.

Politics

She also answered questions about the conflict in Gaza, emphasizing that a hostage deal must be reached, as she was pressed on questions about the U.S. role in supplying arms to Israel by Daniels, and was asked by Mosley whether the U.S. has levers to support Palestinians in their right to self-determination.

“I have been actively involved in, for example, meeting not only with Israeli officials but with Arab officials to talk about how we can construct a day-after scenario where we participate in ensuring those exact goals that I outlined, including … that there be no reoccupation of Gaza,” Harris told Moseley.

Harris also spoke about the false and racist rumors spread by former President Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, calling the situation a “crying shame” and saying that those in important positions have a responsibility to understand the power of their words.

“When you have that kind of microphone in front of you, you really ought to understand at a very deep level how much your words have meaning,” Harris said. “There is a profound responsibility that comes with that, that is an extension of … this concept of the public trust. You have been invested with trust to be responsible in the way you use your words much less how you conduct yourself, especially when you have been and then seek to be again president of the United States of America.”

In contrast to what was an extremely combative and tense interview with Donald Trump at NABJ in July, Harris closed the interview by thanking NABJ and the interviewers for making the conversation happen.

You can watch the full conversation here.

In March, Nicki Minaj and her husband were ordered by the courts to pay security guard Thomas Weidenmuller after he sued her and Petty, alleging Petty physically assaulted him. Now, he claims he’s still waiting on the money.

By making this claim, Weidenmuller is attempting to enforce a prior judgment stemming from a lawsuit initially filed in 2019.

According to court documents obtained by People magazine, Weidenmuller, who was allegedly assaulted by Petty backstage during Minaj’s Frankfurt, Germany, concert in 2019, filed a memo of costs after judgment and a writ of execution against Minaj on Sept. 6 and Petty on Sept. 13 for $526,110.74.

When Minaj and Petty failed to respond to a lawsuit claiming Petty broke the security guard’s jaw during the 2019 incident, a judge granted a default judgment in the case, according to reporting by Rolling Stone magazine. According to the publication, after Minaj’s concert in Frankfurt, Weidenmuller allegedly came to the defense of another member of the security team when he and Minaj engaged in a verbal altercation. This escalated to Minaj allegedly throwing a shoe at him before Petty struck him.

Minaj’s legal team did not immediately respond to People’s request for comment.

Recommended Stories

Weidenmuller initially requested $21,000 to cover medical expenses and another $700,000 to cover ongoing injuries and his emotional pain and suffering. In the end, the judge narrowed the figures down to a combined total of $503,318. That figure was ultimately awarded to Weidenmuller under a default judgment because Minaj and Petty failed to respond. 

With this latest filing, Weidenmuller is attempting to enforce the previous judgment through a writ of execution issued by the court. This move grants the ability to force a judgment of possession obtained by the plaintiff from the court. This could involve law enforcement seizing and selling the defendant’s non-exempt property to cover the balance.

Minaj and Petty married in 2019 and welcomed a son, nicknamed Papa Bear, in 2020. The two have been embroiled in controversy since their union stemming from Petty’s legal troubles. 

Petty made headlines in 2022 for failing to register as a sex offender stemming from a prior conviction for attempted rape in 1995. He made headlines again in 2023 when he was placed on house arrest for 120 days for “making threatening remarks toward a specific individual while in the company of someone with a criminal record” for threats against Offset.  

The Biden administration announced an additional $1.3 billion in federal funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) on Tuesday, increasing total federal support to over $17 billion from fiscal years 2021 to 2024. This marks the highest level of federal investment in HBCUs to date.

According to a White House statement, the funding aims to support the institutions’ “demonstrated track record of delivering excellence,” especially in promoting economic mobility for low- and middle-income students. HBCUs, which represent only 3% of U.S. colleges and universities, have produced significant numbers of Black professionals, including 40% of Black engineers and 70% of Black doctors and dentists.

The administration emphasized that HBCUs “generate $16.5 billion annually in economic impact” and play a crucial role in research and development, particularly in STEM fields. The new funding includes $188 million in competitive grants for R&D and $1.1 billion to support students through need-based grants like Pell Grants.

This announcement builds on previous efforts, including the CHIPS and Science Act, which requires federal agencies to support HBCUs’ R&D capacity. The White House reiterated its commitment to advancing “educational equity, excellence, and economic opportunity” through these investments.

Following the arrest of Sean “Diddy” Combs Monday, federal prosecutors argued in a letter to the court that the allegations of sex trafficking and sexual violence makes him a threat to public safety.

In a 16-page letter to the U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of New York, federal prosecutors argued the allegations, most of which are echoed in the indictment, prove Combs to be “too dangerous” to be granted bond ahead of his legal proceedings.

The 14-page indictment released Tuesday charged Combs with federal counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage prostitutes.

The charges comes months after a series of scathing lawsuits came against Combs filed by ex-girlfriend and singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, record producer Lil Rod and, most recently, Danity Kane member Dawn Richard, court documents show.

Across the suits are repeated allegations of physical abuse, soliciting minors and sex workers, distributing drugs and various methods of sexual violence. The trafficking allegations resulted in a raid of the rapper’s mansions where federal officials discovered three AR-15s, more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant; and hundreds of home surveillance cameras in each of his properties, officials said in a Tuesday press conference.

Read more from the letter:

The Government respectfully submits this letter in anticipation of the defendant’s appearance before this Court later today and in support of the Government’s request for the defendant’s detention pending trial. As set forth below, there is no condition, or combination of conditions, that will reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant as required and the safety of others and the community, not to mention the integrity of the proceedings. As reflected by the gravity of the charges in the Indictment, the defendant is dangerous and poses an ongoing threat to the safety of the community. If released, he remains a serious risk of flight, despite the conditions offered by his counsel. Most glaringly, the defendant also poses a significant risk of obstructing justice.

Indeed, and as set forth below, during the course of the charged conduct, the defendant has attempted to bribe security staff and threatened and interfered with witnesses to his criminal conduct. He has already tried to obstruct the Government’s investigation of this case, repeatedly contacting victims and witnesses and feeding them false narratives of events, as described in detail below. There are simply no conditions that would ensure that the defendant’s efforts to obstruct and tamper with witnesses will stop. The defendant therefore cannot overcome the statutory presumption in favor of detention, and the Court should order him detained.

The prosecutors cited the allegations of Combs hosting “Freak Off” sex parties where he was alleged to coerce participation from sex workers and other participants. Also cited was the discovery of the firearms and allegations of physical abuse against previous romantic partners.

The defense proposed home detention for Combs with electronic monitoring as well as a $50 million bond. However, prosecutors argued this was “insufficient” because the proposed provisions did not account for his access to electronics, financial information and other resources that would help him “evade prosecution.”

Prosecutors said his bail should be denied. The court has yet to respond.

1

Cillian Murphy is back with a bang in Small Things Like These. The trailer just dropped, and it’s got everyone buzzing. Based on a popular book, this movie follows a coal merchant who digs up some serious dirt in his tiny Irish town.

Murphy delivers a tour-de-force performance alongside Emily Watson, Eileen Walsh, and others in this gripping drama. The film has already garnered critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and Murphy’s exceptional portrayal of a complex character. Critics have praised the movie’s ability to delve into the depths of the human psyche, exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the lasting effects of past trauma.

The film’s intimate setting, a small Irish town, lends an air of authenticity and relatability. The audience can easily connect with the characters’ struggles, making the story more impactful. Murphy’s performance as the coal merchant is both nuanced and compelling, capturing the character’s internal turmoil and moral dilemma.

Want to see the trailer? Check it out below and get ready to be hooked.

Beyond the trailer, here are some additional details that might pique your interest:

• A strong ensemble cast: In addition to Murphy, Watson, and Walsh, the film features Michelle Fairley, Helen Behan, and Clare Dunne, all of whom deliver powerful performances.






• A talented director: Tim Mielants, known for his work on The Killing and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, brings his unique vision to the film.






• A compelling story: The novel on which the film is based was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, a testament to its quality.

Whether you’re a fan of Cillian Murphy, Irish cinema, or simply enjoy a well-crafted drama, Small Things Like These is a film you won’t want to miss.

Small Things Like These hits theaters on November 8.

Related

NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs was expected to appear before a federal judge in New York on Tuesday after his indictment on undisclosed criminal charges.

The music mogul was arrested late Monday in Manhattan, roughly six months after federal authorities conducting a sex trafficking investigation raided his luxurious homes in Los Angeles and Miami.

The indictment detailing the charges was expected to be unsealed Tuesday morning, according to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.

Over the past year, Combs has been sued by people who say he subjected them to physical or sexual abuse. He has denied many of those allegations and his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, called the new indictment an “unjust prosecution.”

“He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal,” Agnifilo said in a statement late Monday.

Combs, 54, was recognized as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop before a flood of allegations that emerged over the past year turned him into an industry pariah.

In November, his former girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit saying he had beaten and raped her for years. She accused Combs of coercing her and others into unwanted sex in drug-fueled settings.

Recommended Stories

The suit was settled in one day, but months later, CNN aired hotel security footage showing Combs punching and kicking Cassie and throwing her on the floor. After the video aired, Combs apologized, saying, “I was disgusted when I did it.”

Combs and his attorneys, however, denied similar allegations made by others in a string of lawsuits.

Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Cassie, said in a statement Tuesday that “neither Ms. Ventura nor I have any comment.”

“We appreciate your understanding and if that changes, we will certainly let you know,” he added.

A woman said Combs raped her two decades ago when she was 17. A music producer sued, saying Combs forced him to have sex with prostitutes. Another woman, April Lampros, said Combs subjected her to “terrifying sexual encounters,” starting when she was a college student in 1994.

The AP does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Cassie and Lampros did.

Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, has gotten out of legal trouble before.

In 2001, he was acquitted of charges related to a Manhattan nightclub shooting two years earlier that injured three people. His then-protege, Shyne, was convicted of assault and other charges and served about eight years in prison.

17

At one point, fans were buzzing with excitement over the possibility of a high-profile partnership between rapper Megan Thee Stallion and wrestling star Mercedes Moné (formerly Sasha Banks). The two had met in February at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Japan, where discussions about a potential collaboration began between Megan’s manager, Mike B of Roc Nation, and Moné’s manager, Keven Undergaro.

According to reports, negotiations progressed smoothly, and both sides had agreed to explore a project together, likely involving an appearance by Megan in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Moné even hinted at the collaboration during the promotional buildup for AEW All In London, saying she hoped to see Megan in the AEW ring.

However, the seeds of this partnership were sown even earlier. Back in 2021, there were informal talks about a similar venture in WWE, where Moné achieved stardom as Sasha Banks. Those plans, however, never materialized.

Tensions escalated after Moné went public with the AEW idea. Shortly afterward, WWE made its own move by securing a deal for Megan Thee Stallion’s song “Neva Play” to be featured on SmackDown. According to PWInsider, this development blindsided Moné and her team, who had been working on their AEW plans. The sudden WWE deal threw the AEW collaboration into question and cast doubt on the future of the Moné-Stallion alliance.

Whether or not this means the end of a potential partnership between the two remains unclear. However, the WWE agreement certainly seems to have complicated things, leaving fans to wonder what could have been in the world of wrestling and music entertainment.

Related