Justin Bieber has finally spoken out about his relationship with his form former mentor and collaborator P Diddy.
In a statement his spokesman denied Bieber had been a victim of Diddy’s:
‘Although Justin is not among Sean Coombs’ victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him. Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve.’
But how do Diddy and Bieber even know each other? And why are their names linked? Here is what we know.
Why are Diddy and Justin Bieber associated?
The pair first formed a tie when Bieber was a very young and very new artist on the US scene.
Bieber was just 15 years old when broke into the music world after signing with Usher's record label, becoming part of the Caught Up entourage.
Usher is known to have links to Sean Combs who is credited with launching his career, as well as the likes of Biggie Small and Mary J Blige.
What has been said about the pair since the arrest?
Videos of a young Bieber with P Diddy have resurfaced since news of the arrest was made public.
Many have raised concerns online about the content of the videos, which were taken during the early days of Bieber's rise to fame.
In one, reportedly shot in 2009, Combs and Bieber, claimed to have been spending a weekend together. In one clip, Combs can be heard saying: "He's having forty-eight hours with Diddy, where we hanging out and what we're doing we can't really disclose, but it's definitely a 15-year-old's dream."
On another, shot years later, a clearly uncomfortable Bieber is seen being questioned by the rapper, over a lack of contact.
As they shook hands to say hello, a young Bieber told Combs that he was "all good", only for Combs to further question: "Everything's good? Selling out arenas and everything?"
Combs then can be heard to say: "Starting to act different, huh? You ain't been calling me and hanging out the way we used to hang out."
Bieber stammers in response: "I mean you tried to get in contact with me throughout all my [projects] and what not – but you never got my number." Bieber then took out his phone and told Combs: "I'm going to tell you my number."
Many have shared the video, saying it is worrying in the light of Combs' arrest.
What has Bieber said about the arrest?
Justin Bieber has not said anything publicly but some publications have said friends close to Bieber say he was devastated by Combs’ arrest.
The Daily Mail reported that friends are growing concerned about Justin Bieber, with a fear he is “shutting down” over the allegations.
It reported a friend close to Bieber as saying: “"Bieber is so disturbed by the Diddy news and is unwilling to process it or discuss it so he has shut off. So many people who helped to make him who he is were very close to Diddy and it has completely thrown him.
“Justin hasn't been responding on this since the home raids. He's not going to.
“He had a long break from Diddy when he believes most of this took place and he had distanced himself from him.
“He was featured on Diddy's most recent album, and had he known any of this, there is no way he would have done it.”
