Publicist reveals story behind name changes as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs sentenced to 50 months in jail
The former publicist of Sean “Diddy” Combs has revealed why the star was forever changing his moniker as the disgraced rap mogul faces an extended time behind bars.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former publicist has explained how the dark side of fame likely contributed to the rapper’s penchant for changing his name.
Rob Shuter, who worked for Combs for many years, told The Daily Mail the rapper known at various times as Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy and Love also changed his personality over time.
“When I was with him, there was a dark side to him. You know, he was moody, he was grumpy, he could be very impatient, he could be violent. However, it was probably about ten per cent of what I saw,” Mr Shuter said.
“As time grew, as his fame grew, as the power he had grew, as the pressure grew, that 10 per cent expanded.”
Mr Schuter gave the interview as it was revealed Combs will spend more than four years behind bars after a judge rejected his tearful plea for mercy and found he had forced women into depraved “freak-off” sex parties that caused them “irreparable harm”.
The Bad Boy Records founder had been so confident of his immediate release he had already booked a speaking engagement in Miami next week.
But Combs, who has already spent a year in custody, was sentenced to 50 months in prison, meaning he will serve a further 38 months before he is released onto a five year supervision order.
“I think there’s a lot of pressure in fame, and I don’t wanna be like “boo hoo poor celebrities, they’re all rich and too many people and bothering them,” Mr Shuter continued.
“There’s a real sense of being watched, of not being prepared for that.
“Every time you’re on a red carpet, there’s pressure to perform. There’s pressure to be a dancing jester, and so after a while you get sick of that person and I think maybe that’s one of the reasons Diddy always changed his name.
“He got sick of these people so he became a new person.”
The sentencing hearing came three months after a jury found the rap mogul guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
The most damaging allegations of the months-long trial related on Combs’ treatment of girlfriends including singer Casandra Ventura and a woman known as Jane whom he forced into days-long drug-fuelled sex parties with male escorts that he filmed and used to control the women for years, threatening to release the videos if they did not comply with his directions.
Combs and his lawyers argued the women had been willing participants, however Judge Arun Subramanian rejected their attempt to characterise the depravity as part of his “sex, drugs and rock and roll” lifestyle and noted he had “irreparably harmed” both women.
“You plied them with drugs,” he said.
“You abused them. Physically, emotionally and psychologically.”
Ventura’s lawyer, Douglar Wigdor said: “While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs, the sentence imposed today recognises the impact of the serious offences he committed.
“We are confident that with the support of her family and friends, Ms. Ventura will continue healing knowing that her bravery and fortitude have been an inspiration to so many.”
The ruling also sparked a response from Combs’ rapper rival 50 Cent, who has trolled him during the trial.
50 Cent posted on X after it was revealed that Combs had a speaking engagement event in Miami coming up.
“Hey to whoever was booking Diddy for speaking engagement. I heard he won’t be able to make it,” the Queens rapper wrote on X, adding a shrug emoji.
“I’m available!,” Jackson said with a laughing emoji.
Hey to whoever was booking Diddy for speaking engagement. I heard he won’t be able to make it, 🤷 I’m available! 😆 https://t.co/WtNREs32V0pic.twitter.com/VtycWVyY9y
— 50cent (@50cent) October 3, 2025
Combs, 55, also addressed the court for the first time, describing his own actions “despicable”.
“I know the prosecution wants you to make an example of me,” Combs said.
“I just want you to think of making an example of what a person can do if they get another chance … if you give me another chance, I won’t let you down.”
“No matter what anyone says, I know I’m truly sorry for it all.”
Throughout the sentencing hearing, Combs’ children and lawyers begged for his release, with one lawyer breaking down in tears as she described her client as an inspiration.
The defence played an 11 minute video to the court attempting to portray Combs as a family man, showing him with his children, mother and his late wife Kim Porter.
Combs covered his face and sobbed as the video montage was played.
His 27-year-old son Christian said his dad was the “greatest man in the world” who had taught him the importance of treating women with respect.
One of Combs’ twin daughters with Porter, D’Lila, told the court the family needed to be reunited.
“We’ve lost our mother, we’ve lost time with our father and every day he remains incarcerated we lose more and more,” she said.
“Your honor, please, please give our family time to heal together. To rebuild … not as a headline, but as human beings to be better.”
Prosecutors had submitted Combs should be given a sentence in excess of 11 years, citing his booked speaking engagement for next week as evidence he was not remorseful.
“Even now at sentencing for his conviction for two federal crimes … he doesn’t fully grapple with how his actions got him here,” prosecutor Mary Slavik said.
“His respect for the law is just lip service.
“He has booked speaking engagements in Miami for next week. That is the height of hubris, your honor.”
Throughout his two-month trial, the court heard sordid allegations from more than 30 witnesses who accused the Bad Boy Records founder of using his fame and fortune to commit crimes including kidnapping, rape and the firebombing of a love rival’s car.
He was acquitted of more serious offences including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking that could have seen him sentenced to life in prison.
Defence lawyer Brian Steel said Combs lived in fear every day he spent in the notorious Metropolitan Detention Centre where he has been held since his arrest.
Mr Steel said Combs was a “trophy” for other inmates and one man had tried to shank him.
“The guards stopped a person who was armed with a shank who was on top of Sean and about to cut him,” Mr Steel said.
“Sean is not a typical person in custody, everyone knows him.”
He said the rapper had not slept more than two consecutive hours since his arrest and that he lived off bags of chips and had to boil water to make it safe to drink.
“Every day he lives in fear,” Mr Steel said.
“He cannot go back there.”
It is unclear where Combs will serve the remainder of his sentence.
In handing down his sentence, Judge Subramanian consoled the despondent Combs, telling him “you are going to get through this”.
“You have a universe of people who love you,” he said.
“Let them lift you up now just as you have lifted them up for so many years.”
“The same power you used to hurt these women, you can use it to empower them. We all have voices, but you have a megaphone.
Combs is expected to appeal the sentence.
