Representatives for Diddy say the 50 Cent–produced Netflix documentary Sean Combs: The Reckoning includes footage of the incarcerated mogul that was never approved for release.
After Good Morning America aired Robin Norbert’s interview with 50 Cent — which featured several never-before-seen clips of Diddy — a rep for the Bad Boy founder claimed the footage was used without permission. Fif appeared in the interview alongside director Alexandria Stapleton, discussing material featured in the four-part series.
“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,” a representative for Diddy said, 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.”
What the original project was meant to be — including footage of Diddy debating legal strategy with his team before his arrest — has not been publicly clarified.
“A payment dispute between outside parties does not create permission for Netflix to use unlicensed, private material,” the statement continued. “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.”
Diddy’s team also argued that 50 Cent’s involvement in the documentary is especially concerning given their long, messy 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 used in the documentary.
The documentary is scheduled to hit Netflix on Tuesday (Dec. 2), and 50 Cent has openly admitted he was “surprised” by some of the things Diddy recorded while facing serious allegations. The G-Unit mogul also stressed that his involvement isn’t “personal,” saying his only real issue was feeling “uncomfortable” after several interactions with Diddy — including one moment where he claimed Diddy offered to take him shopping.
When asked what he expects Diddy’s reaction will be once he watches the full documentary, 50 said he thinks Diddy will actually enjoy it.
“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.”
