Sean “Diddy” Combs, MTV, and Bad Boy Entertainment are at the center of a major lawsuit filed by former Making the Band contestant Sara Rivers.
She alleges mistreatment, abuse, and career sabotage, shedding light on what she describes as a toxic reality show experience.
Allegations of Exploitation and Abuse
Rivers’ lawsuit details instances of forced labor, humiliation, and threats during the filming of Making the Band. One of the most infamous moments she recalls? The ‘cheesecake incident’ where she and fellow contestants were forced to walk miles to fetch a cheesecake for Diddy.
But according to Rivers, that was just the tip of the iceberg. She claims she was:
- Forced to sleep in an open space with four male contestants despite being married at the time.
- Threatened with elimination if she refused to comply with demands.
- Subjected to intense psychological pressure and manipulation.
MTV, Viacom, and Others Named as Defendants
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Ariel Mitchell, doesn’t just go after Diddy. It also names:
- MTV and Viacom for allegedly allowing and broadcasting abusive conditions.
- Former Bad Boy employees, including Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, and his ex-assistant, Fonzworth Bentley.
Rivers claims the entire show was designed to exploit young artists while benefiting Diddy and the network financially.
Accusations of Career Sabotage
Beyond the reality show experience, Sara Rivers alleges that Diddy intentionally destroyed her music career. According to the lawsuit:
- He dismantled Da Band, the group formed on Making the Band, leaving the artists with nothing.
- He kept the majority of the money generated by the show while depriving them of their earnings.
- He allegedly acted recklessly and maliciously, ensuring that none of the contestants gained long-term success.
Sexual Harassment Allegations Surface
The most serious claims in Rivers’ lawsuit involve sexual harassment and assault. She alleges that Diddy:
- Cornered her, blocking her movement during an interaction.
- Ran his hand across her breasts against her will.
- Created an environment where young female artists felt unsafe and vulnerable to exploitation.
Diddy’s Legal Team Responds
Diddy’s legal representatives have denied all allegations, calling the lawsuit “another attempt to smear his reputation.” In a statement obtained by TMZ, they said:
“No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone – man or woman, adult or minor. We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason.”
Diddy’s team also suggested that the lawsuit was a last-minute attempt to use New York’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act, which had a filing deadline approaching.
A Pattern of Allegations?
This lawsuit isn’t the only legal trouble for Diddy. He is set to go on trial for racketeering and sex trafficking on May 5, 2025. The accusations against him have sparked conversations about the exploitative nature of early 2000s reality shows, particularly those centered around the music industry.
With more artists from that era speaking out, this could be just the beginning of a larger reckoning for reality TV and the entertainment business as a whole.
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