During his final appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in May 2022, Sean Combs shared a personal revelation: “Diddy is my nickname. Love is my real name. I just changed my name to Love.”
He affirmed that his official name now is Sean Love Combs. Nevertheless, recent legal troubles following his arrest on September 16 for charges including racketeering and sex trafficking reveal a more troubling narrative behind his public persona.
Over the years, Combs has been linked to numerous partners, but the recent allegations—120 new claims since October 1, involving 25 victims who were minors—shed light on a darker chapter of his life characterized by abuse and exploitation.
The darker side of Diddy emerges as new allegations surface (@diddy/Instagram)
Though Combs has publicly cherished his late partner Kim Porter, rumors regarding his sexual history and alleged misconduct have surfaced since her passing in 2018.
His relationship history includes high-profile names like Jennifer Lopez, Lori Harvey, and Yung Miami, yet it has not been without controversies. In November 2023, allegations surfaced from Cassie Ventura, accusing him of rape and abuse.
Despite settling the case, footage from 2016 emerged showing Diddy kicking Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel, intensifying scrutiny of his past. In September 2024, he was taken into custody by federal agents after their investigation into his activities.
Kim Porter
Diddy and Kim Porter began their romantic relationship in 1994. Reflecting on their first encounter, he recalled seeing her at the studio with her then-boyfriend, Al B. Sure.
“I wasn’t trying to holler at her or anything, but I was admiring her—her lips, her eyes, her mouth, her shape, her energy—and thinking, ‘I wish I had a girl like that,’” he explained to Essence.
Diddy further described Porter as a unique individual who made him feel nervous. He appreciated her mix of Bohemian spirit and Southern charm, noting that she had a calm demeanor that stood out.
“I got the idea she’d like doing stuff like walking barefoot in the grass. I didn’t think I could get her to like me,” he remarked, acknowledging her composure and thoughtfulness.
Their relationship encountered challenges, and the couple split in 1999 as Diddy began seeing Lopez. They briefly rekindled their romance in 2003 but parted ways in 2007.
Together, Diddy and Porter welcomed three children: Christian Combs in 1998 and twin daughters D’Lila Star and Jessie James Combs in 2006. He also took on a fatherly role for Quincy, Kim’s son from a previous relationship, eventually adopting him.
Tragically, Kim passed away at 46 in 2018 due to lobar pneumonia.
Misa Hylton Brim
Designer Misa Hylton Brim, known for her contributions to 1990s fashion, has a personal connection to Diddy as his high school sweetheart and mother of his son, Justin Combs. They welcomed Justin in 1993 and have since worked together to co-parent him.
Following Porter’s death, Misa expressed her sorrow, stating, “Kim, for the last 20 years we have raised our children together, my mind cannot begin to wrap around the fact that you are not going to be here.” She acknowledged Kim’s role as a second mother to her own children.
Sarah Chapman
In the early 2000s, Diddy had a short-lived relationship with Sarah Chapman, during which they welcomed their daughter, Chance Combs, born shortly before Kim’s twins.
Although the romance did not endure beyond Chance’s birth, Sarah expressed her condolences following Kim’s passing, writing, “Rest in paradise Kim, and know your kids are covered in prayer and love.”
Jennifer Lopez
Sean Combs’ romance with Jennifer Lopez is one of the most discussed relationships of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The two began dating in 1999 while Diddy was still involved with Kim, which contributed to the latter’s separation.
Their relationship lasted two years, during which Lopez described it as a tumultuous time in her life. “The Puffy era was just kind of a crazy, heightened time in my life,” she said in a 2019 interview. “He became kind of a mentor to me in that moment.”
Memories of Kim Porter bring both joy and pain to Diddy’s journey (@diddy/Instagram)
The couple publicly announced their split on Valentine’s Day 2001, with Diddy’s publicist confirming the breakup and requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Jennifer later stated that her desire for a traditional family life played a role in their decision to part ways, alongside the notorious nightclub shooting incident in December 1999 that led to their arrests.
Naomi Campbell
Dating rumors surrounding Diddy and supermodel Naomi Campbell sparked interest in 2001, especially after they were photographed together for British Vogue.
While their relationship reportedly transitioned to romance in 2002, they never publicly confirmed their involvement, and their connection remained platonic after that.
Cassie
Cassie Ventura and Diddy began their relationship in 2007, though it mostly remained private until 2012. The couple became more open about their romance, which lasted until their split in 2018.
Cassie left the rapper, reportedly due to his unwillingness to commit. Four years later, Diddy reflected on their time together in a song, expressing a need to “move on.”
In 2022, while accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards, he expressed gratitude toward Cassie for supporting him during challenging times.
After their breakup, Cassie married Alex Fine in 2019, and they have two children. However, in November 2023, Cassie filed a lawsuit against Diddy, accusing him of serious allegations, including rape and years of abuse.
“After years in silence and darkness I am finally ready to tell my story,” she stated, emphasizing her intention to speak out for others facing similar struggles.
Diddy’s legal team responded robustly, with lawyer Ben Brafman categorically denying the accusations, claiming they were attempts at blackmail. He asserted that Diddy had faced constant demands from Cassie for money, which he refused.
Cameron Diaz
Diddy’s brief romance with Cameron Diaz in 2008 was more of a casual fling between two prominent figures of the ’90s. In a 2014 dinner, Diddy mentioned that if he could turn back time, he would have approached things differently regarding her relationship with Benji Madden.
Lori Harvey
In one of Diddy’s more recent romances, he was linked to Lori Harvey, daughter of comedian Steve Harvey. Their relationship generated buzz in July 2019 when they were seen together on vacation in Italy. However, Lori ended the romance abruptly, unfollowing Diddy on social media in October after he was spotted with another woman.
Gina Huynh
Gina Huynh, a model from Los Angeles, was linked to Diddy in 2019. Following the Billboard Awards in 2022, she posted a picture on Instagram showing Diddy kissing her cheek, which prompted a reaction from Yung Miami, Diddy’s then-girlfriend, who quipped that Gina needed attention.
Yung Miami
Diddy discussed his relationship with Yung Miami (real name Caresha Brownlee) on the podcast Caresha Please. He clarified that although he was single, he was dating her. “We go to exotic locations. We have great times,” he shared, complimenting her authenticity and maternal qualities.
However, by April 2023, he confirmed in an interview that they had split but remained friends. Yung Miami later elaborated on their intense connection, recalling, “We were together every day at one point.”
