Actor Will Smith made an unprecedented public statement Thursday denying any connection to Sean “Diddy” Combs, who faces federal charges including sex trafficking and racketeering. Speaking during a performance at San Diego’s Observatory North Park theater, Smith addressed viral social media speculation linking him to the embattled music mogul.
“I don’t have s— to do with Puffy, so y’all can stop all them memes,” Smith, 56, declared to the audience while promoting his new song “Tantrum.” The Oscar winner emphasized he “ain’t been nowhere near that man,” despite their documented appearances together at past industry events.
Smith’s rare public commentary on the matter follows Combs’ September indictment and current federal custody in New York City. The hip-hop mogul, 55, faces serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The actor joins other celebrities addressing social media speculation about connections to Combs. Recently, Jamie Foxx also distanced himself from the situation in his Netflix special “What Had Happened Was…,” stating he “left them parties early” and noting that “something don’t look right.”