Representatives for Diddy claimed that the 50 Cent-produced Netflix documentary, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, used unauthorized footage of the incarcerated music mogul.
After 50 Cent’s interview with Robin Norbert's for Good Morning America, which featured several previously unseen videos of Diddy, was released, a representative for the incarcerated Bad Boy head alleged that the footage was never authorized for release. Fif sat down for an interview alongside director Alexandria Stapleton and spoke about some of the footage featured in the four-part documentary.
“We have confirmed that Netflix used footage that was never authorized for release—including private moments, pre-indictment material from an unfinished project, and conversations involving legal strategy that were not intended for public viewing,” said a representative for Diddy, per Loren Lorosa of The Breakfast Club. “The footage was created for an entirely different purpose, under an arrangement that was never completed, and no rights were ever transferred to Netflix.”
The details of what the footage was intended for, showing Diddy arguing with his legal team about their strategies ahead of his arrest, have not been disclosed.
“A payment dispute between outside parties does not create permission for Netflix to use unlicensed, private material,” reads the statement. “None of this footage came from Mr. Combs or his team, and its inclusion raises serious questions about how it was obtained and why Netflix chose to use it.”
Additionally, Diddy's team alleged that 50 Cent's involvement in the documentary is troubling due to their history.
"50 Cent is a longtime public adversary who has mocked Mr. Combs for decades, posted fabricated accusations, and publicly celebrated his legal challenges," the representative said. "Even Mr. Jackson has admitted he was ‘shocked' Sean ever filmed some of these moments, which underscores that the footage is being exploited for entertainment rather than presented with fairness or context."
They added that Diddy's legal team will be formally notifying Netflix about the questionable legality of the footage.
The documentary is set to debut on Netflix on Tuesday (Dec. 2), and 50 Cent admitted that he was “surprised” by some of the things that Diddy recorded amid the allegations against him. The G-Unit head also insisted that his involvement with the project is “not personal,” and that his only real issue is that he was left “uncomfortable” after several interactions with Diddy, who he said offered to take him shopping.
As for what he thinks Diddy will say when he sees the full documentary, he said he thinks he’ll be a fan.
“I think he’s going to say, ‘This is the best documentary I’ve seen in a long time,’” 50 Cent told Robin Roberts. “He may feel different about pieces and bits of it, but he knows the truth. I think he’ll see the truth in it.”