"It can make this man into a monster" — Diddy's ex-bodyguard says Russell Simmons among others influenced rapper's bad behavior

Sean Diddy Combs' ex-bodyguard Gene Deal claimed that the hip-hop mogul's questionable behavior was influenced by music moguls before him, including Def Jam CEO Russell Simmons, Uptown Records CEO Andre Harrell and Clive Davis. His statements came after the rapper was arrested on September 16, 2024, in New York for s*x trafficking and racketeering charges.

In an interview for The Art of Dialogue, Gene Deal claimed that Sean Combs was influenced by the three former hip-hop moguls, with Russell Simmons having the most notable impact on his behaviour. Combs notably worked with Andre Harrell as an intern at Uptown Records in the 1990s.

Deal said:

"You gotta realize, he learned from Andre Harrell. He learned from Russell Simmons. He learned from Clive Davis. When those people are telling you that they were heavy into the drugs. They was heavy into beating women, and doing things at that crazy stage. That's gonna make him think that he can get away with the same thing."

Gene Deal also claimed that he witnessed Diddy's change in behaviour while being with Russell Simmons. He added:

"I'm not gonna say alleged cause I saw that for my own self. It can make [a] man into a monster and that's what it did."

Sean Diddy Combs' fall from grace began in November 2023, when his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against him accusing him of s*xual abuse, r*pe and physical assault.

Although Ventura later settled the lawsuit, multiple other women filed lawsuits against Diddy alleging that the rapper s*xually assaulted them. He also faced charges of s*x trafficking.

Much like Combs, his mentor Russell Simmons has also faced charges of s*xual assault and r*pe from multiple women since 2017. However, Simmons denied all allegations against him in 2018.

---

Russell Simmons supported Diddy after he faced multiple charges of s*xual abuse

In May 2024, Russell Simmons came to Diddy's support via a live video segment on Instagram. The Def Jam founder's support came after CNN brought forward a disturbing video of the rapper and his ex, Cassie Ventura from the past. The video featured Diddy physically abusing Ventura in the lobby of a hotel.

In his live video, Simmons came to Combs' defence, urging people to not be proud of bringing someone down. He said:

"When you tear someone down or you watch someone tear someone down, try not to get so excited. I know it’s fun to watch for some people. If I had a nickel for every nasty meme sent to me by people whose lives were enhanced and built by Sean Combs – it’s like, it seems a bit hypocritical since the only reason you have a life is [because] you worked for him, or he gave you a job or lifted you up somehow."

Russell Simmons continued:

"Watching our brothers fall is hurtful. Having everybody get together and laugh at our brother’s fall or supporting the tearing down of our brothers is tough. You may think it’s entertaining. Some of the memes are funny, right? But we need to look up, train our mind to see the good in things and not the negative."

Apart from charges of r*pe and s*xual assault by Cassie Ventura, Diddy was also accused of similar charges by multiple other women over the last few months. Joi Dickerson-Neal, producer Rodney Jones, model Crystal McKinney and music personality Dawn Richards all filed charges against the rapper for alleged s*xual abuse and harassment.

The rapper is yet to be charged for s*xual harrassment but is facing trial for his alleged involment in s*x trafficking. His pleas for bail have been rejected, with Diddy currently being detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre.

---

Russell Simmons' ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons claimed Diddy once threatened her while she was pregnant

In a 2004 interview with New York magazine, Russell Simmons' ex-wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, claimed that Diddy had once threatened to hit her when she was pregnant. Lee Simmons' statements resurfaced online amid Sean Combs' legal woes this year.

As per the article, Simmons “said something to Combs" after which the rapper "threatened to hit her." The model said about the alleged incident:

“I was pregnant! The moron!”

The article went on to claim “Combs eventually got down on his knees in public to apologize” to Kimora Lee Simmons at that time. Lee Simmons clarified her stance on the incident and told NY magazine, and said:

“I respect him for being a fierce entrepreneur, and I appreciate knowing that everything he does is emulating my husband [Russell Simmons]."

---

Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons married in 1998 and split in 2009. The ex-couple share two daughters together.