For Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former bodyguard, the embattled music mogul and alcohol entrepreneur has a “God syndrome.”
“He is a manipulative king. He can manipulate anything, anyone,” said Roger Bonds, Combs’ former security chief. “Money and power is what it's all about.”
Bonds, who worked on Combs' security staff for nearly a decade, from 2003 to 2012, said in a recent interview with Piers Morgan that Combs' ex-girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, was one of the people manipulated by the company. by Bad Boy Records. -founder. He also claimed Monday that Ventura, who sued the rapper in November, alleging assault, was not the only woman who allegedly suffered physical violence from Combs.
The late model and actor Kim Porter was also subjected to the hip-hop star's violent attacks, Bonds alleged. The former bodyguard said he saw Combs “hit” and “grab” Porter. Combs and Porter were romantically linked from 1994 to 2007 and share three children. His son Christian “King” Combs was sued for alleged sexual assault in April. Porter died in 2018 from lobar pneumonia. She was 47 years old.
A representative for Combs did not immediately respond Tuesday to the Times' request for comment.
Bonds told Morgan that he saw Combs get violent with women “about four or five times” during his tenure, adding, “I've seen him get physical… grab them.”
Combs, who faces several sexual assault lawsuits and a federal investigation, became the center of renewed controversy last week when CNN published hotel security footage showing the 2016 assault alleged by Ventura. During the incident, which the singer detailed in her now-settled lawsuit, Combs can be seen chasing her, grabbing her, kicking her and throwing a glass vase at her. Combs apologized over the weekend for her actions in the video, but some critics, including Bonds, didn't buy her apology on Instagram.
“I think he said what people wanted to hear, not what he felt,” Bonds said. He also told Morgan that he was not surprised by the video of Combs' 2016 assault, noting, “I've seen things of this nature before.”
Bonds, whom Ventura named in his lawsuit, described multiple alleged accounts of violence by Combs toward women in his close circles, including an incident with Porter outside the Beverly Hills Hotel. He did not share when the alleged incident occurred, but said her former partners were fighting in a vehicle.
“Kim got out of the car as if nothing had happened, fixed her hair and said, 'I want to see you explain to the media about that scratch I'm going to put on your face if you ever put your hands on me again.' '” Bonds recalled.
And he added: “That was Kim's attitude… he realized that what [Combs] He had to explain it meant more to him than anything else. Once he realized that he had that power, he said, 'No… no more.'”
Since Ventura's complaint in November, more women have come forward with allegations of sexual assault, among other allegations of illegal behavior, against Combs.
“When you have a problem with every woman you're dealing with, then I think that problem is within you,” Bonds said Monday.
While Bonds didn't go into too much detail about other mounting allegations against Combs, including sex trafficking, he said he feels more revelations about his former boss' behavior will come to light.
Bonds concluded his appearance on “Piers Morgan Uncensored” by saying, “I don't think he should be in prison. I think he needs help.”
Amid the controversies, Combs has taken hits in both his professional and personal life. The disturbing CNN footage led New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Monday to consider rescinding Combs' key to the city. Stationary bike company Peloton also reportedly removed Combs' music from its exercise classes in the wake of the hotel video.
Additionally, other names in the hip-hop community have taken aim at Combs' apology on Instagram.
“Diddy, how [are] “Are we supposed to believe everything that comes out of your mouth?” Charlamagne Tha God said on “The Breakfast Club” over the weekend.
Rapper 50 Cent, who previously shaded Combs and his son King Combs, shared a portion of Bonds' interview on Instagram. “Brother love, brother love, brother love, this doesn't look good,” he captioned the video.
Other musicians who have spoken out about Combs since video of his 2016 Ventura assault surfaced include Lil' Scrappy, former Bad Boy Records artist Shyne and singer Kelly Price. On Monday night, CNN added rapper Cam'ron to the mix of celebrity reactions, although he said he didn't have much to say.
On Monday night, Cam'ron condemned Combs' “egregious” actions in the 2016 security footage, but questioned why the spotlight was on him.
“I don't really know Puff,” he told host Abby Phillip before promoting his show on YouTube. “For me to tell you how Puff acts and all that, I don't know. “I never signed with him.”
He added in the now-viral segment: “Who is the talent agent for this joint? You think I'm sitting around watching what Diddy does… who hired me for this place?
