Cliff Notes – Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs unrecognisable as first prison mugshot reveals his grey transformation
- Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, sentenced to over four years for sex trafficking and related charges, has drastically changed in appearance, now sporting grey hair and a scraggly beard in his first prison mugshot.
- Despite his commitment to sobriety and rehabilitation, Combs has reportedly violated prison rules multiple times, including attempting to initiate three-way phone calls and allegedly consuming homemade alcohol.
- During his sentencing, Combs expressed remorse for his actions, particularly towards his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, while the judge condemned his abusive behaviour as a form of subjugation.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs unrecognisable as first prison mugshot reveals his grey transformation
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been seen in his first prison mugshot.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has gone completely grey since being sentenced to four years behind bars.
Earlier this year the disgraced music mogul, 55, faced trial after being arrested and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty, eventually being sentenced to the two charges of transportation for prostitution.
Combs was then sentenced to four years and two months in jail. He was also given a $500,000 (£371k) fine.
Just over a month since his sentencing, a mugshot of the rapper has now been released – and he looks completely unrecognisable.
Currently serving his time at the low-security prison Fort Dix in New Jersey, a booking photo obtained by CBS News showed Combs sporting grey hair and a scraggly beard, while wearing a maroon prison jumper.
The disgraced rapper was sentenced to four years behind bars last month.
He’s now gone completely grey
His appearance is a far cry from the polished look he was known for in his heyday. The performer – who was once estimated to be worth $400million (£304million) – was regularly seen wearing designer suits and sunglasses, with dark hair on stage and red carpets.
Since Combs was sentenced, his publicist Juda Engelmayer has told NBC News that he is committed to sobriety, healing and setting an example for others.
He’s since secured a job working in the prison chapel, is enrolled in a drug rehabilitation program that could see his sentence reduced by a year and also started his own class to teach other inmates how to be entrepreneurs at the prison.
‘His sobriety and self-discipline are priorities, and he is taking them seriously,’ she said.
‘He works in the chapel library, where he describes the environment as warm, respectful and rewarding,’ she added.
Combs has also restarted his Free Game with Diddy entrepreneurial class to help other inmates ‘become business leaders, value their self-worth and become productive citizens’.
Before his sentencing, Combs had been held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York, which was previously home to rapper R Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The release of the mugshot comes after reports that Combs had been caught violating prison rules several times.
He faced trial after being arrested and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
That includes claims he initiated a three-way phone call, which is prohibited in the low-security prison.
It was said he asked an unnamed woman to arrange visitors who could bring him cash, which is also an act prohibited by the prison.
After adding another person to the call, he told authorities the woman was his attorney and the man was the head of legal communications, also insisting he was unaware of the band on three-way calls.
He was also allegedly caught drinking homemade alcohol within a few days of arriving at Fort Dix – with the drink apparently made of Fanta, sugar, and apples, which had been left to ferment for days.
However soon after his representative issued a statement denying the report.
‘The rumours claiming Mr. Combs was caught with alcohol are completely false. He’s taking this healing journey seriously and staying focused on growth and accountability,’ they said.
‘His only goal is to get back to his family—and he’s not jeopardising that for anything.’
However, sources have told Rob Shuter’s #ShuterScoop that Combs ‘hasn’t changed’.
He’s reportedly been caught violating prison rules several times
‘Diddy still thinks he’s in charge, even behind bars. It’s the same arrogance – just with concrete walls,’ they said.
‘He knows how to work the system. He acts like it’s a luxury rehab, not a federal facility.’
During his sentencing on October 3, Combs spoke publicly for the first time in 13 months.
‘One of the hardest things I’ve had to handle is having to be quiet—not being able to express how sorry I am for my actions,’ he said.
‘I want to personally apologise again to Cassie Ventura for any harm or hurt I’ve caused her, emotionally or physically. I don’t take that lightly.’
He then apologised to Ventura’s family and to Jane, another of his accusers.
Additionally, Combs begged for forgiveness from his mother, saying: ‘Mommy, I failed you as a son, I’m sorry. You taught me better. You raised me better,’ he wept.
He went on to add: ‘I hate myself right now. I’ve been stripped down for nothing. I really, truly am sorry for it all, no matter what they say.’
During his sentencing, Diddy said he was ‘sorry for his actions’
When handing down his sentencing, US District Judge Arun Subramanian Combs for his ‘savage’ abuse of ex-girlfriend Ventura.
‘You abused them, physically, emotionally and psychologically,’ he added of Combs’ treatment of his victims, shutting down the idea proposed by his lawyers that the relationships were consensual. You had the money and the power to keep it going. This was subjugation.’
Combs had previously blamed drug use for his actions but said he was ‘now sober for the first time in 25 years’.
He is set to be released from prison on May 8, 2028.