Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former bodyguard, Gene Deal, has once again made headlines with his candid revelations about the rapper’s past. In a recent interview on The art of dialogue YouTube channel Deal discussed the allegations regarding Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, and her possible involvement in the infamous “smash” parties that have garnered a lot of media attention.

On 18 November 2024, Deal addressed the speculation, stating: “I don’t want to talk about that man’s mother like that, bruh. Was his mother a freak? I don’t know this about her, but if she was at Diddy’s craziness in her 70s, she was just like the rest of them… freaks come out at night.” Deal, known for his no-holds-barred outlook, added that while Janice Combs was known to date younger men, that didn’t necessarily make her a “freak.” He described her as a “cougar”, distancing herself from the more explicit allegations.

These comments follow his previous statements to The art of dialogue in October 2024, when he claimed that the relationship between Diddy and his mother exhibited “Oedipus Complex” traits, further fueling speculation about the nature of their connection. Deal also raised questions about Janice’s potential involvement in criminal activity related to Diddy, particularly after his arrest in September 2024 on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and other serious crimes.

Janice Combs defends her son amid scandal

In response to the intense scrutiny, Janice Combs has defended her son, Sean “Diddy” Combs, calling the allegations against him “heartbreaking.” In a statement shared by her legal team on Instagram, she expressed her dismay at the “public lynching” of her son before he had a chance to prove his innocence. “It’s really heartbreaking to see the world turn against my son so quickly and easily because of lies and misconceptions,” Janice said, adding that people should allow Diddy to present his side before judge.

Despite her defense, Janice’s comments were met with backlash, with many accusing her of complicity in her son’s alleged crimes. Some critics pointed to her involvement in his affairs, while others focused on her apparent defense of Diddy during the ongoing legal battle.

Gene Deal, however, stated that while he believes Janice may have been aware of the “spending” parties, she was probably not involved in the financial aspects. “All she did was allow him to put certain things in her name to protect him,” Deal said, suggesting Diddy placed assets in her name to protect himself from potential lawsuits.

Shyne’s role in the 1999 nightclub shoot

In addition to discussing Janice Combs’ involvement, Deal also revisited the infamous 1999 shooting incident at Club New York, where Diddy and his associates, including rapper Shyne, were involved in a violent altercation. Deal, who was in attendance at the time, shared a stunning statement from Anthony “Wolf” Jones, another member of Diddy’s inner circle. According to Deal, Wolf told him Shyne was the one who fired the first shot during the altercation. Deal recalled, “What Wolf told me himself—he talked very little about it because he had mad love for Shyne—was that Shyne pulled the trigger. He might have been one of the first to pull the trigger.” Shyne, who was convicted and sentenced to nearly nine years in prison for his role in the shootings, has since moved on from the incident and now serves as a prominent political figure in Belize. He admitted to being the “fall guy” for Diddy, stating, “He sent me to jail pretty much,” referring to his own 10-year sentence for assault, reckless endangerment and illegal possession of a firearm.

Deal, however, claimed that Diddy and Shyne’s relationship soured following the incident. “Puff hated Shyne after that,” Deal recalled. “He blatantly told me, ‘I hate this (expletive)’.” This betrayal, Deal suggested, was prompted by Diddy’s desire to protect his own image during the trial.

Diddy’s bizarre ritual before the shooting verdict

Another disturbing revelation came from Deal about Diddy’s behavior just hours before his acquittal in the 1999 nightclub shootings. Deal claimed that Diddy performed a bizarre ritual on the morning of his verdict that involved the slaughter of a bird in Central Park. “When Puff approached the guy, he fell to his knees. Then I saw smoke, like sage, moving around Puff,” Deal said, referring to a strange ritual involving a form of spiritual cleansing. The meaning of the ritual remains unclear, but it adds another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous period in Diddy’s life.

While Diddy faces numerous legal challenges, including allegations of sex trafficking, violence and exploitation, Gene Deal has continued to speak out about his former boss’s behavior. While Diddy remains in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, awaiting his trial in May 2025, the public’s attention remains on the rapper’s past and his complex relationships with those closest to him.