What is Fonzworth Bentley's real name? Diddy's former personal assistant who started a music and acting career

Sean "Diddy" Combs has had a long rap career, throughout which he has changed his name several times. The first stage name that Sean Combs adopted was Puffy—a childhood nickname. Then, in 1995, Diddy changed his name to Puff Daddy.

Six years later, in March 2001, the rapper underwent another transformation, taking up the name P. Diddy this time. Alongside this new moniker, the rapper also introduced his personal assisstane Fonzworth Bentley to the world. Bentley was first photographed holding Diddy's umbrella around that time.

Bently was originally named Derek Watkins and was born and brought up in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Fonzworth Bentley first met Diddy at his soul-food restaurant in Chelsea

Watkins completed his studies in Atlanta, graduating from Morehouse College after high school. He also played violin when he was young.

Not much is known about his personal or professional life before he was associated with Diddy in 2001. On March 21, 2004, Bentley was interviewed by The New York Times, where he shared that he was working as a manager at Eleven Madison Park restaurant when he first met the Tell Me rapper.

The two met each other at "Diddy's soul-food restaurant in Chelsea" where they exchanged numbers. The rapper was going through a trial for his bribery and gun possession charges, during which Watkins sent him inspirational verses from the Bible via email.

A few months later, after Sean's trial was ruled in his favor, Bentley texted him, "Please don't make me go back to my hater boss." As a response to his daring message, Sean hired him immediately. Talking about it in his interview, Bentley said:

''I remember the day exactly. It's going to be in the movie about my life. Sean waved his hands in my face and said, 'Your life has just changed. Are you ready?'"

Diddy was also behind Watkins' new name, Fonzworth Bentley. While he called his new name "the most sickening thing" at the interview, it eventually stuck. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the name was inspired by the character of Bootney Lee Farnsworth from the 1975 movie, Let's Do It Again.

Bentley also clarified that contrary to popular belief, he wasn't the rapper's butler but his personal assistant.

His responsibilities involved "waking his boss in the morning, fetching caramel macchiatos from Starbucks, fielding phone calls, packing and unpacking P. Diddy's suitcases, and picking out his clothes." He also attended the rapper's business meetings.

The "manservant" image of Bentley popularized in the media also led to many derogatory comments about him online, but the TV presenter was quick to brush them off, stating in his interview:

"A pioneer always looks crazy until he finds dry land."

It was Bentley's picture with Diddy captured in 2001, that first brought him to the limelight. Speaking about the picture in the interview, the former PA said:

"That picture was the biggest marketing campaign that any unknown has ever launched. Jay Leno talked about that picture, so did Regis and Kelly. It was in Time, Newsweek, People. It made me famous overnight."

Soon after being hired by the rapper, Bentley made his debut rap feature in Cheers to Me, Mr. Bentley - the debut album of Da Band released in 2002. Two years later, he was spotted in a cameo appearance in Kanye West's The New Workout Plan.

Fonzworth was also featured in Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, playing violin in the track, Yes We Can.

Bentley began his TV career with Making the Band 2 in 2002. He also appeared in Fade to Black (2004), Borrow My Crew (2005), Before, During, and After the Sunset (2005), and VH1 Fashion Rocks (2006). His latest TV role was hosting From Gs to Gents on MTV in 2008. In April 2011, he released his debut album, C.O.L.O.U.R.S..

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While Bentley hasn't made any prominent public appearance since 2011, he has been married to actress Faun Chambers for a while. The couple also share two kids; a son - Daniel Watkins - and a daughter - Zoie Alecia Watkins.