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Sean “Diddy” Combs didn’t have much time to celebrate his lawsuit “win” after a judge tossed out a $400 million suit that mentioned Jennifer Lopez. Following the tossed lawsuit, new violent allegations about the music mogul have surfaced as a new docuseries about his fall from grace is set to release. According to a magazine editor, Diddy threatened her life when she refused to change corporate policy to accommodate him. This isn’t the first time allegations of death threats have surfaced about Diddy.

Former Vibe editor recounts death threat she received from Diddy

Since Sean “Diddy” Combs’ arrest in September 2024, dozens of women and men have stepped forward to open up about their negative encounters with the hip-hop star. In the wake of the scandal, a picture of a powerful music mogul who used sexual assault, threats of violence, and manipulation to control the narrative around him has emerged.

Danyel Smith, the former editor-in-chief of Vibe, is one of the individuals who has stepped forward to share their negative interactions with Diddy, and it includes death threats.

Smith shared her story in a new docuseries about the hip-hop star. In The Fall of Diddy, Smith recalled arguing with Diddy while she was editor-in-chief of Vibe. Smith said Diddy demanded to see photos the magazine would use for an upcoming issue. When Smith refused, citing company policy, Diddy became enraged. He told Smith that she might end up “dead in a trunk” if she didn’t show him the photos. Diddy’s death threats didn’t rattle the journalist enough to get her to acquiesce. Instead, she called her lawyer.

Diddy later apologized

Smith’s account of the tense moment in the documentary isn’t the first time she’s spoken out against Diddy. In June 2024, just a few months before Diddy was arrested on a host of criminal charges, she opened up about the same experience to the New York Times.

Aasim, Sean Diddy Combs and VIBE Editor-in-Chief Danyel Smith at a party celebrating his album release
Aasim, Sean Diddy Combs and VIBE Editor-in-Chief Danyel Smith | Johnny Nunez/WireImage
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In her piece for the publication, Smith recalled Diddy begrudgingly faxing her an apology after she made good on getting her lawyer involved over the death threats. While the music mogul apologized, he apparently wasn’t willing to let his grudge over the cover photos go.

Smith said in response to the argument, Diddy had sent associates to steal servers from Vibe’s offices. According to Smith, those servers held everything the team needed for the issue in question. Combs refused to comment on the allegations when the New York Times published the story. Smith left Vibe in 1999. She later returned in 2006 as the publication’s chief content officer.

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