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There was a time when an invitation to a party hosted by Sean "Diddy" Combs was one of the most sought-after tickets in the entertainment industry.
With guest lists that included Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez and more. it was a chance to hang out with some of the most famous people.
"When Diddy winked at you and told you to come to the VIP section, you knew you were going to have a really good night ," said the rapper's former publicist, Rob Shuter, in an exclusive interview with BBC News .
Now, Shuter's former client sits in a Brooklyn jail cell.
Diddy's fall from the throne has been swift, with a sweeping federal criminal case charging him with a sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
Hundreds of civil lawsuits have also been filed, accusing the music mogul of assault, rape and sexual assault. A lawyer said he represents more than 100 alleged victims who claim they were sexually abused by the former world music star.
The Harlem-born rapper has consistently denied any wrongdoing, whether related to the criminal or civil charges.
A spokesperson denied the allegations against Diddy and told BBC News for this story that: "Combs remains strong, healthy and disciplined, fully committed to his defense with the unwavering support of his family, legal and truth team." .
He will appear before the court in May 2025.
Shuter, who worked for Diddy from 2002-04, said Combs was at a pivotal point in his career when he started working for the rapper.
Combs had founded Bad Boy Records in 1993, a label that represented some of the biggest names in hip hop, including artists such as Notorious BIG and Usher. In 1998, he created the Sean John clothing line that later became a cultural phenomenon. He even created a media company, becoming the host of numerous shows where he would discover new talent and make people stars.
Shuter said that when he joined the rapper's world, Combs wanted to transform his persona and elevate his career, looking to use his holidays to keep himself at the center of the entertainment industry.
"He discovered a way to get more attention and that was through his parties, which he sought to claim as the 'Party King' of New York ," Shuter said.
He also added that Combs was obsessed with power and a deep desire to remain famous, explaining that the star liked to be photographed and wanted to show off his lifestyle. It was Shuter's job to help keep Diddy on top of the media. "Being part of his circle was like being part of a circus. Diddy was the master."
He said he never witnessed any sexual misconduct. "I have seen the imbalance of power. What I haven't seen is what is being claimed now, which is just horrible ," Shuter said.
"The reason he was such a superstar is because all he thought about was 'Diddy.' From the moment you wake up to the minute you go to bed. Diddy's hobby was Diddy himself ," added the artist's former publicist.
He claims Combs also had a deep fascination with the British royal family. Shuter said he has been asked more than 10 times to call Prince Harry and Prince William with invitations to parties, offering to cover their travel, accommodation and even pay for their security.
In his luxury apartment in New York, the rapper kept frames of the princes, Shuter said, explaining: "He thought of himself as a king, so it makes perfect sense that he would want to have two princes in his company." .
Both Harry and William never accepted an invitation from Combs, he added. But saying "no" to the music mogul wasn't something many others did.
"There were always guns around Diddy ," Shuter said, describing the metal detectors in his apartment that resembled those at an airport.
The former publicist said there were firearms throughout the rapper's home. In his private residence, security guards had guns strapped to their ankles. Combs kept a close circle and was serious about his safety and image.
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