Netflix’s explosive exposé, “Sean Combs: The Reckoning,” has only been out for a short time. But the docuseries — executive-produced by Diddy’s archnemesis 50 Cent — has already detonated a cultural firestorm.

The project, which revisits decades of allegations surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs, has prompted fierce denials, legal threats, and a deeply personal response from the mogul’s inner circle to help the audience understand his emotional stake.

At the center of the pushback stands Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, who issued a rare public statement to reassure the audience of her innocence after the series portrayed her in ways she called “intentionally misleading” and “harmful.”

A mother’s rebuke

In her statement to Deadline, Janice Combs firmly rejected the documentary’s claims about her son’s upbringing—and about her own role in it, aiming to reassure viewers of her honesty and integrity.

“I am writing this statement to correct some of the lies presented in the Netflix ‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning,‘” she said. “These inaccuracies regarding my son Sean’s upbringing and family life are intentionally done to mislead viewers and further harm our reputation. In the documentary, I am portrayed as an abusive parent. This is untrue… I raised Sean with love and hard work, not abuse.”

She also denied the film’s implication that she and Diddy share a strained relationship, emphasizing her view of him as a ‘dutiful son’ and urging the filmmakers to publicly retract what she described as ‘distortions’ and ‘falsehoods,’ highlighting her desire for a balanced portrayal.

As has been documented and reported ad nauseam, Diddy’s mom was famous — or infamous — for throwing many wild parties when Diddy was a child, which included unsavory characters and members of the criminal underworld. The assertion is that Janice Combs exposed her impressionable son to liquor as well as pimps and pushers, which some interpret as shaping Diddy’s perspective towards sexual interaction, adding context to the controversy.

One of the most explosive allegations addressed in her statement came from former Bad Boy executive Kirk Burrowes, who claimed Diddy once slapped his mother during a tense exchange following the tragic 1991 City College incident, highlighting a serious accusation in the documentary.

Janice Combs categorically dismissed the accusation.

“The allegations stated by Mr. Kirk Burrowes that my son slapped me… are inaccurate and patently false,” she said. “For him to use this tragedy and incorporate fake narratives to further his prior failed and current attempt to gain what was never his, Bad Boy Records, is wrong, outrageous, and past offensive.”

As we know, Diddy was arrested and later convicted for two violations of the Mann Act — transportation for prostitution — and was sentenced to 50 months in prison. The beleaguered Bad Boy boss managed to evade the most serious consequences that would have been administered had he been convicted of sex trafficking and racketeering (RICO).

Diddy’s defense strategy

While Janice Combs focuses on correcting what she describes as personal and familial misrepresentations, Diddy’s broader strategy to discredit the documentary rests on two pillars:

Accusations of defamation and misleading storytelling, and
Claims that the production used illegally obtained footage.

But both Netflix and 50 Cent have pushed back—hard.

In a statement, the streaming giant insisted the series is aboveboard and not the retaliatory hit piece Diddy’s team claims it is.

“Claims being made about Sean Combs: The Reckoning are false,” Netflix said. “The footage of Combs leading up to his indictment and arrest was legally obtained… Curtis Jackson is an executive producer but does not have creative control. No one was paid to participate.” This emphasis on accountability aims to build trust with the audience about the series’ integrity.

50 Cent, ever outspoken, has also made it clear he stands by the project.

A culture reckoning, on-screen and off

As the dust settles from the documentary’s release, the battle lines are clear:

Netflix and 50 Cent insist the series reflects verified accounts and responsible reporting. Diddy and his defenders maintain it’s a sensationalized portrait built on dubious motives.

Diddy’s mom denies abuse claims & false reports about his upbringing, says they’re meant to mislead. Diddy never slapped her. Full statement in bio 🔗 #Diddy #JaniceCombs #CelebrityNews #DramaAlert #Trending pic.twitter.com/oC7Be4IF8a

— Richard Irakoze🇷🇼🇺🇸 (@dean_irak) December 8, 2025