A New York judge dismissed rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs’ $100 million defamation lawsuit against NBCUniversal over a documentary it aired last year about his career and sexual assault allegations on Peacock, which Combs had alleged “shamelessly advances and endorses conspiracy theories” that he is a “serial killer.”
A judge tossed Sean "Diddy" Combs' defamation lawsuit against NBCUniversal. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage)
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New York Supreme Court judge Phaedra F. Perry-Bond granted NBCUniversal’s motion to dismiss, writing in a filing the documentary could not have harmed Combs’ reputation, because it was already “tarnished by the numerous lawsuits, domestic violence video, press coverage, and a criminal indictment prior to the Documentary's publication.”
Combs sued NBCUniversal and Peacock last year and requested $100 million in damages, alleging a documentary it released in January 2025, “Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy,” defamed him by falsely suggesting he played a role in the deaths of his former girlfriend Kim Porter and the Notorious B.I.G.
The documentary was released four months after Combs was indicted on racketeering, sex trafficking and prostitution charges (He was later convicted on the prostitution charges and sentenced to 50 months in federal prison).
Ted Boutrous, a lawyer representing NBCUniversal, told Forbes the decision is an “important ruling that protects filmmakers and journalists by dismissing this meritless complaint as barred by New York law and the First Amendment.”
Combs’ spokesman Juda Engelmayer declined to comment to Forbes.
Combs sued NBCUniversal and Peacock in February 2025, accusing the companies of releasing a documentary that spread conspiracy theories about him, including “serial murder, sexual assault and trafficking of minors, and extortion – knowing that there is not a shred of evidence to support them.” Combs’ complaint accused NBCUniversal and Peacock of “racing to outdo the competition for the most salacious Diddy exposé,” leading them to “completely disregard sound journalistic practices.” Much of Combs’ complaint focused on the apparent allegations that he is a serial killer, which he denied. He cited an interview featured in the documentary of singer Al B. Sure, in which he says he saw Porter “two, three weeks prior to her murder — am I supposed to say ‘allegedly’?” Porter died of pneumonia in 2018, and the documentary includes an image of her autopsy report. Combs’ complaint also says the documentary includes an interview with Gene Deal, his former bodyguard, who suggested Combs “could have” had something to do with the 1997 murder of The Notorious B.I.G. Combs’ suit says he was “heartbroken” by the deaths of Porter and The Notorious B.I.G., and the “completely unfounded accusation that he murdered multiple of his closest confidantes is deeply distressing, offensive, reckless, and malicious.”
Perry-Bond’s order granting dismissal said Combs’ suit failed to “establish a substantial basis regarding reputational harm,” noting the documentary was “carefully curated and nuanced” because it “discloses interviewees' biases and includes counterstatements to the allegedly defamatory statements.” She noted the inclusion of Porter’s autopsy report, which rebuffs claims that she was murdered, as well as a statement from her family which said there was no foul play in her death.
Combs is currently serving a 50-month sentence at New Jersey’s Fort Dix federal prison, after a jury found him guilty on two counts of violating the Mann Act, which outlaws transportation to engage in prostitution. The jury acquitted him on more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Combs’ legal battles began in 2023 after his former girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, sued him in a later-settled lawsuit that accused him of rape and physical abuse, sparking a barrage of other civil lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual assault. Combs has consistently denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to his criminal charges. He is attempting to appeal his convictions, which began oral arguments in a federal appeals court earlier this month.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Heads To Federal Appeals Court To Argue For Release From Prison (Forbes)
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