Vibe Former Editor Alleges Diddy Threatened Her Over Mag Cover

Diddy’s Alleged Misconduct Under Scrutiny Amid Legal Issues

Since his ex-girlfriend Cassie sued him in 2023, more stories about Diddy’s alleged misconduct have surfaced. In a New York Times Magazine essay, former Vibe editor-in-chief Danyel Smith reflected on her past encounters with Sean “Diddy” Combs amid his ongoing legal troubles. Smith recalled a threatening incident over a 1997 magazine cover.

“My assistant received a call on my line,” Smith wrote. “‘It’s Puffy,’ she said. I prepared myself and picked up. He was insistent: He wanted to see the covers. I remained firm: That’s not how we operate. Then Combs told me, as I’ve recounted hundreds of times, that he would see me ‘dead in the trunk of a car.’ Without hesitation, I told him he needed to take that threat back. ‘Take it back,’ I said, sounding like a child. ‘Take what back?’ Then, with a vile laugh, he said, ‘F### you.’”

She continued, “‘Take it back now,’ I said. ‘Or I’m calling my lawyer, and you’re going to jail.’ He said: ‘I know where you are right now. Right on Lexington.’ I called my personal lawyer. I do not know what he said to Combs. Within two hours, Combs faxed over an apology. One of my male bosses was furious that I had not involved him. Combs had called him to complain that I sicced my lawyer on him, as if I somehow wasn’t playing fair.”

DANYEL SMITH RECALLS INCIDENT

Smith detailed how she walked into work one day after the threats and discovered the magazine’s servers had been stolen. The Diddy cover issue was saved on the servers. Rumors spread claiming the theft was an “inside job.” Someone from Vibe supposedly let Bad Boy Records movers into the building. Reps for Diddy declined to comment.

Diddy is currently under federal investigation and faces multiple lawsuits. The disgraced mogul has been accused of sexual assault and sex trafficking.

The Bad Boy Records founder’s downfall began when his ex-girlfriend Cassie sued him for rape and years of abuse in November 2023. They settled out of court, but Cassie’s lawsuit inspired more women to come forward and file lawsuits against Diddy. Homeland Security raided his homes as part of a federal investigation in March.