Exclusive
TAKING A STAND
Real reason Justin Bieber finally broke silence on Diddy rumors as he fights to become ‘symbol of survival and allyship’
The pop star made a statement about his former mentor this week
JUSTIN Bieber finally spoke out on rumors he was a victim of Sean "Diddy" Combs to reclaim his power as he positions himself as a "symbol of survival and allyship," an expert has claimed.
Bieber, 31, was mentored by Combs, 55, whose sex trafficking trial kicked off in New York this week.
5
5
Fans have speculated for months as to whether the pop star's reported mental health problems were linked to the rapper's trial, as he was previously close to the star when he was a teen icon.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to several federal charges, primarily related to sex trafficking and racketeering.
He is also the defendant in a handful of civil suits that have been filed by alleged sex assault victims who are both female and male.
Bieber released a statement through his rep this week, stating, "Although Justin is not among Sean Combs' victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him.
Read More Diddy
"Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve."
He waited months to comment on the rumors and PR expert Chad Teixeira, who has worked with the likes of the Kardashians, feels the move was calculated.
Teixeira told The U.S. Sun, "The allegations against Diddy have reached critical mass. Bieber knows that if he doesn’t speak now, the narrative will be written without him and probably not in his favor.
"This is a moment of calculated authenticity.
Most read in Showbiz
"This wasn’t a delay, it was a deliberate media strategy."
PR expert Chad Teixeira
"He waited until the cultural conditions were right: when others were brave enough to speak; when legal processes were underway, and when public opinion was ready to hear, not just react.
"It's not just about protecting himself. It's about setting the record straight, on his terms, while reclaiming [the] power that was taken from him as a teenager.
Sean Coombs and Justin Bieber seen together in resurfaced 2011 video on Jimmy Kimmel
"He chose this moment to speak out on purpose and rightfully so."
Teixeira believes if he had spoken out before it could have ignited a "media firestorm" and be a "PR sh*t show".
"It could even retraumatize others. Bieber likely waited for a combination of personal readiness, legal clarity, and cultural timing.
"There’s a difference between reacting to rumors and responding to undeniable truths and by waiting, he ensured his voice would carry weight, not speculation.
"This wasn’t a delay, it was a deliberate media strategy.
"Speaking before the trial could’ve been dismissed as attention seeking or premature. Speaking now signals courage, control, and credibility."
Teixeira said breaking his silence now is a "seismic moment" and shifts Bieber from a possibly complicit bystander into a "symbol of survival and allyship."
He explained, "By referencing 'other victims,' Bieber isn't just distancing himself, he’s planting a flag in the ground.
It comes as...
- Cassie Ventura, Combs' ex-partner, shared disturbing revelations about alleged freak-offs
- Unedited clip showing Combs' 2016 attack on Ventura has been released
- Ventura claimed Combs forced her into sick sex sessions with escorts
- Ex-hotel security guard Israel Florez testified about working when Combs attacked Cassie in 2016
- Male escort Daniel Phillip took the stand to speak about how he was paid to have sex with Ventura in front of Combs
- Combs turned down a plea deal days before jury selection got underway
- Combs was hit with fresh prostitution and sex trafficking charges just months before his trial started
"He's signaling that the old rules of silence and loyalty to powerful men no longer apply.
"This isn't just damage control; it's narrative reclamation. And culturally, that matters.
"It transforms him from a product of the machine into someone willing to tear it down if needed.
"That kind of move deepens public trust, resonates with younger audiences who value accountability, and positions Bieber as a leader in a much-needed cultural shift.
Last year, a video emerged of Bieber and Combs spending "48 hours" together, which fans branded "disturbing" considering the 24-year age gap between the pair.
Bieber also sang on Combs' 2023 record The Love Album: Off The Grid which sources now say the pop superstar deeply regrets.
Teixeira described Bieber's past connection to the star as a "reputational landmine."
He believes the link was once seen as a rite of passage in the industry, but it now serves as a "chilling reminder of the blurred lines and unchecked power that permeated early 2000s celebrity culture."
"The current media cycle doesn’t require guilt by action; proximity is enough to spark suspicion and speculation," Teixeira went on.
"That's damaging for any public figure, especially one who’s spent the past decade rebuilding his image from troubled pop star to stable, spiritual husband."
Teixeira recognizes Bieber has been struggling in recent months and his withdrawal from music, and inconsistent public appearances can read as someone carrying unspoken trauma.
"There's a visible emotional weight in how he's been moving through the world," he said.
"The lightness of youth is gone, replaced with a guardedness that fans have picked up on for years.
"This isn't just about media scrutiny - it's the internal impact of growing up in an environment where power dynamics were distorted, and exploitation was normalized.
What happened during Sean Combs' 'freak offs'?
Sean Combs' infamous drug-fueled freak offs, first revealed by his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura's lawsuit in November 2023, have become a central narrative of the indictment, which alleges:
- The music mogul "manipulated women to participate in highly orchestrated performances of sexual activity with male commercial sex workers."
- Freak offs "occurred regularly, sometimes lasted multiple days, and often involved multiple commercial sex workers."
- Combs "distributed a variety of controlled substances to victims, in part to keep the victims obedient and compliant."
- He and the victims "typically received IV fluids to recover from the physical exertion and drug use" after the freak offs.
- Cops "seized various Freak Off supplies, including narcotics and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant" from his homes in Los Angeles and Miami.
- Combs "hit, kicked, threw objects at, and dragged victims, at times, by their hair," during and separate from the freak offs, which "often resulted in injuries that took days or weeks to heal."
- He also used the "sensitive, embarrassing, and incriminating recordings" that he made during freak offs as "collateral to ensure the continued obedience and silence of the victims."
"The resurfacing of the Diddy conversation likely forced Bieber to re-evaluate that entire chapter of his life through a new lens, and that reckoning is never clean or easy to manage from a PR perspective."
Asked what he thought of how Bieber's statement was worded, he said it struck a delicate balance between protecting his privacy and carrying enough weight to show he’s standing for something.
He added, "Notably, it avoided sensationalism. There were no accusations, no explicit personal disclosures but there was clarity.
"The phrasing was designed to spark empathy without opening legal floodgates.
" It was mature, emotionally intelligent, and clearly crafted with a high-level communications strategy and legal advice.
"It lets the public feel something without knowing everything, which in today’s climate is incredibly powerful and hard to do."
Teixeira feels this could be a defining chapter in Bieber’s long-term brand arc as he's no longer a kid being pushed into the spotlight - he's a grown man choosing when and how to speak.
"This pivot from entertainer to advocate could position him as a voice for change in an industry finally being held to account," he said.
"It opens up pathways to meaningful partnerships, deeper artistic work, and long-term legacy-building.
Read More on The Sun
"In an era where audiences crave transparency and purpose, this isn’t a PR move, it’s a rebirth.
"And for someone with Bieber’s platform, that rebirth could be generationally impactful."
5
5
5
Topics