The Diddy parties is a collective name for parties hosted from the 1990s to the 2020s by the rapper, producer and entrepreneur Sean Combs, sometimes known as "Puff Daddy" and "Diddy".[a] The initial series, known as White Parties, were a series of parties hosted by Combs between 1998 and 2009. The parties were often held at Combs's house in East Hampton, New York. The 2006 White Party was held in Saint Tropez in the south of France and the last White Party, and final Diddy Party altogether, in Beverly Hills in California. White Parties typically began during the day and lasted until the early hours of the next day.[2] These parties were often sponsored by prominent brands who gave away merchandise and were attended by numerous celebrities including Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, and Paris Hilton. Beyoncé and Jay-Z even released new music at these parties.[2][3]

Sean Combs in 2000

The choice of the color white as part of a strictly enforced dress code was intended by Combs to strip away people's image and put them on the same level and create "a certain pristine simplicity" according to the New York Times. Combs has also once stated that the parties were a method of him to break down generational and racial barriers among people were described by the BBC as bringing together "East Hampton's old-money elite and the rising stars of hip hop".[2][4][3]

Notable White Parties

edit

The first White Party was held on Labor Day in 1998 at Combs's house on Hedges Banks Drive in East Hampton, New York.[5][6][7] Paris Hilton described the inaugural party as iconic and said that "everyone was there" and likened Combs to Jay Gatsby.[5] The party had a strict dress code of white clothing with 1,000 people on the guest list. Martha Stewart said that having all the guests dressed in white was a "stunning sight" and that Combs "looked very handsome in white".[5] Monique P. Yazigi wrote in an article in The New York Times that 1998 would be remembered as the "Summer of Puff Daddy in the Hamptons".[8]

In 2004 the party was held at the 'PlayStation 2 Estate' in Bridgehampton, New York on July 4 in aid of Combs' Citizen Change, an organisation he established to increase minority voter participation in the 2004 United States presidential election.[9] It was held in conjunction with Sony and PlayStation 2.[10] Combs arrived at the party carrying an original copy of the Declaration of Independence owned by the television producer Norman Lear.[10][11] Combs said that "No one would ever expect a young black man to be coming to a party with the Declaration of Independence, but I got it, and it's coming with me ... And I promise not to spill champagne on it".[9] NPR wrote in 2024 that Combs's appearance with the Declaration of Independence marked a new level of fortune and braggadocio for the Combs.[12] He also promised to make the 2004 election "the hottest, most sexiest thing ever".[9] Combs arrived at the party in two helicopters with his entourage and the cast members of A Raisin in the Sun in which he was appearing on Broadway.[9] One helicopter was red, white and blue and the other was 'military green' decorated with the logos for Citizen Change and his fashion label Sean John.[9] Combs spoke to the 800 attendees to urge them to vote before a group of spoken word poets performed an interpretation of the Declaration of Independence.[9] Guests included Tyson Beckford, Elton Brand, Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Paris Hilton, LL Cool J, Betsey Johnson, Lennox Lewis, Lisa Ling, Denise Rich, and Al Sharpton.[9][13]

The 2006 White Party was held in at Nikki Beach, a club on the beach at Saint-Tropez on the Cote d'Azur in the south of France,[2] while the following year's party was held at Combs's house in East Hampton on September 2, and was titled 'The Real White Party'.[7] It was held in conjunction with Cîroc and reportedly cost $1 million with 300 guests in attendance.[14] Guests included Mariah Carey, Lil' Kim, Star Jones, Busta Rhymes, and Russell Simmons.[14] The 2009 party was called "Malaria No More" and held in Beverly Hills,[15] California in aid of an anti-malaria charity.[7] It was the last Diddy Party staged by Combs.[5] The parties were ended as Combs was spending less time in The Hamptons. Representatives for Combs described the parties as "iconic, a true convergence of hip-hop, Hollywood and Black excellence ... an endless stream of people vying to attend".[2] Guests included Russell Brand, Mariah Carey, Estelle, Jonah Hill, Lil' Kim, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, and Marla Maples and her daughter Tiffany Trump.[2][16] Attractions included stilt walkers and dancers in giant plastic balloons.[2] Kutcher himself swung across a swimming pool on a giant swing.[2] Vanity Fair felt that the highlight of the party was when Chris Brown was spotted kissing Amber Rose, having earlier arrived at the party with Teyana Taylor.[17]

Freak-offs

edit

The term "freak-offs" refers to extravagant parties organized by Combs that became infamous for their alleged association with illicit activities, including drug use, non-consensual sexual encounters, and physical violence.[18] Known for their opulence and secrecy, these parties often spanned multiple days and featured high-profile guests, lavish settings, and performances that blurred the line between entertainment and exploitation.[19] The term emerged in the early 2000s to describe his private, exclusive parties. Initially marketed as elite gatherings of influencers, celebrities, and artists, these events became synonymous with unrestrained indulgence.[20] Held in private mansions, luxury hotels, and occasionally yachts, "Freak offs" were characterized by their over-the-top nature—featuring everything from celebrity DJ sets to intimate performances.[21][22]

Reports suggest that the events included explicit sexual activities and were sometimes filmed,[23] allegedly for personal use.[24] Invitations were extended through Diddy's inner circle, making attendance a coveted yet closely guarded privilege. While some attendees viewed these parties as glamorous, others have since described them as exploitative and coercive.[25]

Focal point of lawsuits and criminal investigations,[26] Sean Combs faced a series of allegations ranging from drugging and coercing women into sexual acts to physical assault and intimidation,[27] with testimonies describing instances of abuse, including kidnapping, threats of violence, and non-consensual recording of intimate acts.[28] Legal filings accused him of fostering an environment of unchecked hedonism where consent and safety were disregarded.[29][30]

During federal investigations into Combs' alleged sex trafficking and racketeering activities, authorities seized over 1,000 bottles of baby oil from his residences.[31][32] The term "baby oild" has permeated popular,[33][34] inspiring satirical responses such as the song "Baby Oil" by Nigerian-American artist Speed Darlington.[35][36]

Reputation and significance

edit

In 2024, Jesse McKinley and Sarah Maslin Nir wrote in The New York Times that in the 2000s "few events held the cultural cachet" that his White Parties did and that Combs would be "invariably toasting the scene with a glass of Cîroc vodka, and welcoming comparisons of his revels to those of lore".[2] In a 2024 article for CNN, Lisa Respers France wrote that there had once been a time when an invite to the parties was one of the hottest summer tickets and that the parties were the peak of his cultural influence.[7] The parties saw a broad range of social and cultural elites socialising together as "veteran celebrities mixed with of-the-moment stars and the high-society set at gatherings that often had civic-minded causes" according to the New York Times.[2] Vanity Fair felt that the parties had "started to lose [their] fizzle" by 2009.[17] The writer Steven Gaines said that initially the residents of The Hampton thought "the first party was the end of the world ... They were afraid of a noisy showbiz crowd and thought it was going to be an invasion, and it turned out not to be". Combs's neighbors in the Hamptons were pacified with limousine rides and complimentary meals at expensive restaurants to abate noise complaints.[2]

The aftermath of Combs' arrest and indictment on allegations of sexual misconduct in late 2024 caused a reappraisal of Combs's parties for the participants and staff.[2] A statement from Combs said that it was disappointing to "see the media and social commentators twist these cultural moments into something they were not ... Shaming celebrities who attended, taking video clips and photos out of context, and trying to link these events to false allegations is simply untrue".[2] In 1999 Combs had said that "They don't want me to throw the parties no more ... But we ain't going to stop. We gonna keep on having fun. Bringing people together from all walks of life" and that "You gonna hear about my parties ... They gonna be shutting them down, they gonna probably be arresting me, doing all types of crazy things just because we want to have a good time".[7]

Diddy's arrest and the revelations about his parties caused a great deal of media attention.[37] Celebrities who attended his parties, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Mariah Carey,[15] have been the subject of speculation and have had to publicly address their associations with the rapper.[38] The parties, once seen as glamorous events, have come under new scrutiny,[39] with the focus on allegations of abuse and inappropriate behavior.[40] DiCaprio, who was a frequent guest at these parties,[41] publicly distanced himself from Diddy after the allegations were made public,[42] stating that he had not had contact with the rapper in years,[43] and that he never participated in the illegal activities.[22]

Several social media posts and newspaper articles suggest that White Chicks might have been inspired by real-life events or individuals present at Diddy’s infamous parties,[44][45] mentioning theories linking the film's exaggerated portrayal of elite lifestyles to personalities observed at these gatherings.[46][47] Marlon Wayans, one of the creators and stars of White Chicks,[48][49] in Shannon Sharpe's Club Shay Shay podcast,[50][51] acknowledged attending Diddy’s parties but claimed to leave early,[52][53] distancing himself from any questionable activities.[54][55] Other productions, such as Madagascar,[56][57] The Simpsons,[58][59] and South Park,[60][61][62][63] are also cited as examples of media that subtly alluded to or parodied the lifestyle and controversies surrounding Diddy.[64][65][66]

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Combs adopted the stage name "Puff Daddy" in 1996 for his first release and would later change his name to P. Diddy in 2001 and to Diddy in 2005.[1] This article uses "Combs" for consistency.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Flashback: The nitty-gritty of how Sean Combs became Diddy". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m McKinley, Jesse; Maslin Nir, Sarah (September 29, 2024). "Sean Combs's White Parties Were Edgy, A-List Affairs. Were They More?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "The parties that led to the downfall of Sean 'Diddy' Combs".
  4. ^ "New lawsuits cast Sean 'Diddy' Combs's White Parties in a darker light". The Washington Post.
  5. ^ a b c d Gardner, Chris; Weinberg, Lindsay (April 1, 2018). "The Hamptons' "Modern-Day Gatsby": Diddy's White Party Turns 20". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  6. ^ Travis M. Andrews; Anne Branigin; Helena Andrews-Dyer; Samantha Chery (May 3, 2024). "The dark side of Diddy's American Dream". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 18, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e Respers France, Lisa (September 24, 2024). "Sean Combs' lavish White Parties marked the peak of his cultural influence". CNN. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  8. ^ Yazigi, Monique P. (June 5, 2024). "A Night Out With: Puffy; Gettin' Jiggy Wit The Jet Set". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 3, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g "P. Diddy does politics". The Tampa Bay Times. July 7, 2004. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs, Jay-Z and Paris Hilton Join PlayStation®2 to Celebrate 4th of July Weekend in Style". Sony. Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  11. ^ Ogunnaike, Lola (July 6, 2024). "Politics and Partying Meet in the Hamptons". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 3, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Madden, Sidney; Pearce, Sheldon (February 29, 2024). "A timeline of allegations against Sean 'Diddy' Combs". NPR News. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  13. ^ Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. July 26, 2004. pp. 22–25. ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. September 24, 2007. p. 59. ISSN 0021-5996. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Chantler-Hicks, Lydia (September 24, 2024). "Leonardo DiCaprio distances himself from Sean 'Diddy' Combs after party photo emerges". The Standard. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  16. ^ Gardner, Chris (July 6, 2024). "The Hamptons' 'Modern-Day Gatsby': Diddy's White Party Turns 20". Billboard (magazine). Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  17. ^ a b McKinley, Jesse; Maslin Nir, Sarah (September 29, 2024). "The Biggest Fourth of July Party Was in London". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on October 8, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  18. ^ IV, Antonio Pequeño. "Diddy Wishes Courtroom 'Happy Holidays' At Hearing: Here Is The Latest On Sean Combs". Forbes. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  19. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (December 13, 2024). "Will Smith Denies Attending Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Freak Off Parties: 'I Don't Have S— to Do With Puffy'". Variety. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  20. ^ "Resurfaced clips, comments reveal what celebs knew about Diddy's parties - National | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  21. ^ "Miami 'freak-offs' and underage sex — lawsuits paint picture of Diddy's world". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Leonardo DiCaprio Distances Himself From Diddy As Their 'White Party' Pics Emerge: 'They Were Not Freak-offs'". Yahoo Entertainment. September 24, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  23. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/us/rapper-sean-diddy-combs-loses-bid-bail-before-sex-trafficking-trial-2024-11-27/. {{cite AV media}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  24. ^ Snapes, Laura (December 9, 2024). "Jay-Z and Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of raping girl, 13, in US lawsuit". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  25. ^ "The 'Freak-Offs' at the Core of Sean 'Diddy' Combs's Troubles". September 22, 2024.
  26. ^ "The Lawsuits Against Sean Combs".
  27. ^ Davies, Jon; Kachynska, Maryana (November 18, 2024). "The Impact of UK Modern Slavery Policy on Eastern European Migrants". International Criminology. doi:10.1007/s43576-024-00145-1. ISSN 2662-9976.
  28. ^ "Sean 'Diddy' Combs: What's a 'freak off', and what are the charges against him?". www.bbc.com. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  29. ^ "Sean 'Diddy' Combs: What's a 'freak off', and what are the charges against him?". www.bbc.com. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  30. ^ "Sean 'Diddy' Combs Denied Bail on Sex Trafficking Charges". September 17, 2024.
  31. ^ "Sean 'Diddy' Combs and the rise of his 'criminal enterprise'". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  32. ^ "A timeline of allegations against Sean 'Diddy' Combs". NPR.
  33. ^ "Sean 'Diddy' Combs: como eram as festas 'freak-off' regadas a drogas, sexo e óleo de bebê de rapper preso". Estadão. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  34. ^ Roeloffs, Mary Whitfill. "Diddy Protégé Shyne Barrow Now Says He 'Destroyed My Life' And Set Him Up For Shooting Conviction". Forbes. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  35. ^ "Will Smith Denies Any Link to Sean 'Diddy' Combs: 'I Ain't Been Nowhere Near That Man'". People.com. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  36. ^ Ramanathan, Lavanya (September 26, 2024). "7 questions — and zero conspiracy theories — about the allegations against Sean "Diddy" Combs". Vox. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  37. ^ France, Lisa Respers (September 24, 2024). "Sean Combs' lavish White Parties marked the peak of his cultural influence". CNN. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  38. ^ "Leonardo DiCaprio quebra o silêncio sobre amizade com Diddy, rapper preso acusado de extorsão e tráfico sexual". Monet (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 24, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  39. ^ Cordaro (@linecarlin), Aline Carlin (October 11, 2024). "'White Party': confira mais de 40 fotos das 'Festas do Branco', organizadas por Diddy". Rolling Stone Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  40. ^ "Amigo de Leonardo DiCaprio abre o jogo sobre relação do ator com Diddy | Metrópoles". www.metropoles.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 24, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  41. ^ Poliana (September 27, 2024). "Entenda o Caso Sean "Diddy" Combs e Seu Envolvimento com Celebridades". Forbes Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  42. ^ "De Mariah Carey a DiCaprio: as estrelas que não faltavam às festas loucas de Diddy". NiT (in European Portuguese). Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  43. ^ "レオナルド・ディカプリオ、性犯罪で起訴されたショーン・コムズとの関係を否定 過去のパーティ写真が流出". ELLEgirl (in Japanese). September 24, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  44. ^ "Marlon Wayans, astro de 'As Branquelas', se explica por se gabar de ir a festas suspeitas de Diddy: 'Eu saía cedo'". Monet (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 30, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  45. ^ "Marlon Wayans, astro de 'As Branquelas', diz que saía cedo das festas de 'Diddy'". ISTOÉ Independente (in Brazilian Portuguese). September 26, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  46. ^ SensaCine.com.mx (October 13, 2024). "'¿Y dónde están las rubias?', 'Madagascar' y todas las películas que hacen referencia a los abusos de P. Diddy". SensaCine.com.mx (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  47. ^ Torreón, El Siglo de (October 4, 2024). "La relación de la película ¿Y dónde están las rubias? con el caso de Sean 'Diddy' Combs". www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  48. ^ "Marlon Wayans Recounts "Leaving Early" From "Plenty" Of Diddy's Parties". Yahoo Entertainment. September 5, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  49. ^ "Marlon Wayans Has Something to Say About Those Infamous Diddy Parties". The Root. September 6, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  50. ^ "Marlon Wayans, de 'As Branquelas', comenta presença nas festas de P. Diddy: 'eu saía cedo'". Terra. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  51. ^ "Astro de 'As Branquelas' revela reação de brasileiros quando o encontram". Quem. April 13, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  52. ^ "Marlon Wayans Has Something to Say About Those Infamous Diddy Parties". The Root. September 6, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  53. ^ Tolbert, Eleanor; Cheyenne, Angelica (September 17, 2024). "Marlon Wayans breaks silence on Diddy's 'wild parties' amid assault claims". Irish Star. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  54. ^ "Marlon Wayans Says He's Been to 'Plenty' Diddy Parties Bu..." Complex. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  55. ^ Corrine, Amber (September 5, 2024). "Marlon Wayans Recounts "Leaving Early" From "Plenty" Of Diddy's Parties". VIBE.com. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  56. ^ SensaCine.com.mx (October 13, 2024). "'¿Y dónde están las rubias?', 'Madagascar' y todas las películas que hacen referencia a los abusos de P. Diddy". SensaCine.com.mx (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  57. ^ "As Branquelas, Madagascar, Yummy... Conheça as produções que citam P. Diddy". ESTRELANDO (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  58. ^ "'The Simpsons' episodes that bear an eerie resemblance to several Diddy's lavish parties". Lifestyle Asia India. October 17, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  59. ^ Art, Pop Culture & (September 29, 2024). "The Simpsons did it again? Viral TikTok claims show predicted Diddy's White Party". The Express Tribune. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  60. ^ "Puff Daddy's Vote or Die- Diddy Threatening a Kid to Vote in South Park Aged Like Milk, Say Fans". fandomwire.com. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  61. ^ Staff, NLPC (September 22, 2024). "We Alleged Election Law Violations by Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2005 - National Legal And Policy Center". Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  62. ^ Art, Pop Culture & (October 11, 2024). "Diddy's 'South Park-inspired' cartoon 'Brightmoor' vanishes after major announcement". The Express Tribune. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  63. ^ Ibrahim, Samantha; Barnard, Bekka (October 8, 2024). "South Park 'prophecy' about P Diddy's parties emerges after rapper's arrest". The Mirror US. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  64. ^ Lucchesi, Furio (October 14, 2024). "Il caso P. Diddy, nelle serie Tv e nei film ci avevano avvisato tanto tempo fa: le scene che non avevamo capito | È inquietante". L'Insolenza di R2-D2 (in Italian). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  65. ^ "As Branquelas, Madagascar, Yummy... Conheça as produções que citam P. Diddy". ESTRELANDO (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  66. ^ Dias, Leo (October 4, 2024). "Diddy em Os Simpsons e As Branquelas: rapper foi citado em várias produções - Portal Leo Dias". portalleodias.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved December 22, 2024. {{cite web}}: Check |author-link= value (help)