P Diddy's relationship with Mary J Blige - From 'biggest cheerleader' to burnt bridges

Mary J Blige warned she "burns bridges as needed" as she hinted her friendship with Sean 'Diddy' Combs has come to an end.

The pair have shared a close relationship for more than 30 years, with the Bad Boy Records founder having helped to produce Mary J's first two albums. She previously referred to Diddy as an "inspiration" and said he was her "biggest cheerleader."

However, their relationship seemed to crumble back in March after two of Diddy's homes were raided by federal agents as part of the sex-trafficking case against the rapper. He was arrested in September on charges including racketeering. Mary has not been implicated in any of the claims against him.

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Combs has denied all of the allegations against him and pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges against him in court. Here, we've taken a look at Mary J and Diddy's changing relationship over the years.

Mary J Blige saw Diddy as an 'inspiration'

Combs first collaborated with Mary J on her 1992 debut album What's the 411?, before they came together again for the 1994 record My Life. After a short break, the duo joined forces for 2003's Hooked.

They continued to collaborate with one another in the years that followed, with Mary J being featured in Diddy's Off the Grid album, which was released in 2023. Earlier that year, Mary J reflected on how she had been impacted by Combs over the years.

"Puff was a huge inspiration for me," she told People Magazine. "He wanted all of this for me more than I wanted it myself." The Family Affair hitmaker said Diddy challenged her, explaining, "He was such a good thing for me because I needed what he had, to be excited to be seen."

Combs was her 'biggest cheerleader'

Speaking to People, Mary J described Diddy as her biggest cheerleader, while he said she was his "best friend." Indeed, they've been there for one another at many huge events over the years.

Back in 2018, Combs cheered the singer-songwriter on as she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A video from the time showed Diddy gushing about how talented Mary J is before singing happy birthday to her.

Mary J also supported her mentor on his birthday last year, sharing a picture of the two of them on Instagram. "Happy Birthday big brother @diddy!!!!Always too much fun with you!!! Keep being amazing!!! You’re one of my biggest inspirations!!!" she wrote alongside the snap.

Burning bridges

Mary J seemed to hit out at Diddy earlier this year as she promised to "burn bridges." She shared a cryptic message on Instagram shortly after two of Diddy's homes were raided.

Speaking to her 6.8 million followers, Mary J wrote, "Unfortunately, a lot of you all met me when I lacked boundaries and was a people pleaser." She then claimed she was not scared to end relationships.

The singer continued, "Let me reintroduce myself, I burn bridges as needed." Mary J has never addressed who the post was about. The Mirror US has approached Mary's representatives for comment.

Following the raid on Combs' homes, he was arrested in September on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the allegations. Mary J is not involved in the criminal case against Diddy.

Combs will be held inside Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center until his trial, which is scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025. He is next due to appear in court on March 17.

Rape lawsuit

Diddy is facing a slew of civil lawsuits which include allegations of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse, all of which he has strongly denied. One alleged victim has accused the rapper of drugging and raping her at a party attended by celebrities such as Mary J, Nicki Minaj and Lil' Kim.

No other celebrities have been accused of any wrongdoing in the lawsuit, which was filed by by attorney Tony Buzbee in October. In court documents, which were obtained by The Mirror US, one woman alleged she was drugged and raped by Diddy during Memorial Day weekend in 2014.

She claimed to have attended an exclusive party at Las Vegas' popular poolside lounge called Club Rehab, where she allegedly met Diddy. According to the lawsuit, the woman was invited to an afterparty at Combs' suite at the Planet Hollywood hotel after the party died down.

Once there, she alleged Diddy directed her to a bar area with "tens of dozens of open bottles of his Ciroc branded vodka." The lawsuit continued, "Combs directed plaintiff to grab a bottle and help herself."

The plaintiff then claimed that "40 minutes after having 1-2 drinks" from a bottle of what she "thought to be vodka," she felt nauseated, dizzy and "lost control of her motor functions."

According to the court documents, she was then directed by the promoter that invited her to the party to an "empty bedroom in the suite and told her to lie" until she felt better. The court documents alleged she woke up the next morning feeling "very groggy and sore" and found it "difficult to move." She claimed that when she woke up, she "saw Combs in the corner of the room, shirtless and yelling loudly and with animation at someone over the phone."

According to the lawsuit, she "remained silent and still until Combs left the room" and was later "horrified to realize that she was raped by Combs." After she gathered her belongings, she then left the hotel and returned to where she and her friends were staying.

Combs' attorney Erica Wolff released a statement denying the allegations against her client. She said, "We cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus. That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors."

The attorney concluded, "He looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court if and when claims are filed and served, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation."

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