The best interest of Sean “Diddy” Combs and his defense team is to protect his reputation as a law abiding citizen who won’t fold under the legal pressure he’s facing. However, based on his latest court appearance, Diddy don’t look like he’s doing too hot. Here’s three things to note from his last hearing:
1. Endearing Gesture
The rapper was due in court this week for a status hearing to settle the schedule moving forward in his pending federal sex trafficking case. The 55-year-old was reported to have walked in donning a khaki prison jumpsuit. ABC News reported he appeared to mouth “You okay?” to one of his sons who was in the audience. His son responded by nodding and placing his fist over his heart, the report says.
Combs’ children previously shared a statement saying they stood “united” in support of their father and slammed the public for judging him on “conspiracy theories and false narratives.”
2. Combs in Concerning Condition
An insider tells PEOPLE despite the pending prosecution, Combs is “fit, healthy and fully focused on his defense.”
“He has been very active, remains in good spirits, and, as always, he was happy to see his children,” the source said to the magazine.
However, Law&Crime reporter Elizabeth Millner said when she attended the hearing, she noticed Combs looked just the opposite of “fit and healthy.”
“He appeared just astonishingly thinner, which you can expect [being] inside a federal detention center for a couple of months now,” Millner said. “A lot different from the luxury lifestyle that he was living before, but he appeared very noticeably thinner and maybe being locked up in detention is starting to wear on him.”
Millner also added that his hair appeared grayer.
3. A Well Wish
While exiting the courtroom, Combs was reported to stop and turn to his lawyers and courtroom spectators to say “Happy holidays, y’all,” per ABC.
“I just wanted to say goodbye,” he said, per the report. His attorneys then surrounded him for a hug before marshals escorted him out. This was his last in-person appearance, assumably, until his next court hearing which won’t be until March 17.
Prosecutors said they are on track to disclose all evidence available to the defense by the end of the year.
Combs has been in jail since Monday, Sept. 16, when he was arrested in Manhattan by federal authorities, six months after they raided his two homes in Los Angeles and Miami. His indictment was unsealed the following morning, revealing charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and engaging in interstate transportation for prostitution. The allegations against Combs include sexual abuse, physical abuse, bribery and various drug offenses.
These allegations were first brought forth by ex-girlfriend and Bad Boy Records signee Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in a civil suit that accused him of sex trafficking, human trafficking, sexual battery, sexual assault, and other allegations. Combs quickly settled the suit within 24 hours, but lawsuits from other associates have quickly followed in the months since. Most recently, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee announced he’s representing over 100 plaintiffs who came forward with claims of rape, sexual exploitation and sexual assault against the rapper.
While many of the suits since 2023 have been civil, this federal case has Combs facing criminal charges. He has pleaded not guilty, and was denied bail three times. His trial is scheduled for May 2025.