What Danity Kane Shared About Diddy’s Troubling Behavior

Summary

• Diddy faces a range of serious criminal charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering.
• Former members of Danity Kane have previously accused Diddy of sexual abuse and misconduct.
• Aubrey O'Day and Dawn Richard reflect on Diddy's controlling and abusive behavior during their time on Making The Band.

Sean 'Diddy' Comb's controlling and abusive nature was hinted at during his reality TV show, Making The Band. The MTV show saw Diddy putting together pop bands and putting the wannabe stars through a range of unusual challenges and activities.

The 54-year-old rapper, real name Sean Combs, was arrested on September 16 and indicted on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Despite pleading not guilty to all charges, the father of seven has been denied bail twice and remains in jail.

For nearly a year, Diddy has faced a range of civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual abuse, rape and misconduct. These allegations include a civil claim by Danity Kane star Aubrey O'Day and Dawn Richard. Aubrey O'Day had been an outspoken critic of the music mogul long before he was indicted.

Danity Kane made history as the first girl group to have its first two albums debut at No.1 in the USA.

MTV's Making The Band Formed Danity Kane With Diddy

Making The Band was launched in 2000 on ABC by controversial music mogul Lou Pearlman (who formed O-Town during the first season). Sean Combs - Diddytook over the franchise for MTV in 2002, leading to the formation of Danity Kane and Day 26.

Danity Kane singer Aubrey O'Day and Diddy had a rocky relationship during the MTV show, which culminated in her and bandmate Wanita D. Woods's removal from the group in 2008. The remaining members, Dawn Richard, Aundrea Fimbres, and Shannon Bex, continued as a trio.

Reflecting on her time on the reality TV show, Aubrey claims Diddy behaved in a way she believes he would “not at all” get away with these days. “Diddy’s a father, so hopefully he’s learned things about the way that you handle women and has more compassion for women now,” she said in a 2019 Variety interview.

Dawn Richard reflected on her negative experience working with Diddy on Making The Band. “It gave him an excuse. It was to let you know, ‘This is my show, this is my sh-t, and I want to prove to you that it’s my sh-t, and I’m going to show you how much power I have over you by saying I’m going to control your lives.’"

"It’s so much bigger than that, even though, you’re right, it was extremely sexist."

What Danity Kane Members Have Said About Diddy

Danity Kane members have hit out for the way Diddy treated them during the filming of Making The Band. Aubrey O'Day has long been outspoken about her treatment, admitting they "were scared to death with what would happen with Puff each day.”

“There was just no room for error. Diddy was one of the most intense people you could ever work with. I experienced everything from race [remarks] to sexism and a lot of it was scary. I have a very strong mom who wasn’t necessarily a nurturer and I remember one time as a kid I hit my knee and as it was bleeding everywhere, she said, ‘Suck it up Aubrey!’ That was proper training for what I would experience on ‘Making the Band.’”

Wanita D' Woods posted on social media in defense of Cassie after she filed a lawsuit against Diddy in 2023. The singer and former partner to Diddy alleged that the rapper started a pattern of control and abuse within a few years of signing her to his Bad Boy records label.

"Self-worth, peace of mind and the right to speak your TRUTH," Wanita wrote. "Cassie, you are incredibly brave to shine light on what you endured in the dark. I'm sorry you had to go through it alone. I'm praying for your continued strength and I offer my full support to you."

Ex-Danity Kane Member Dawn Richard Sued Diddy For Sexual Assault

In September 2024, just a day after a judge ruled Diddy liable for $100 million in a default judgment for a sexual assault case, Dawn Richard sued the rapper for sexual assault and inhumane treatment.

Dawn met Diddy in 2004, after she auditioned for season three of his MTV reality show, Making the Band. Dawn claims that during auditions for the reality show, he insulted the female contestants, calling them “fat,” “ugly”, and “bi***.”

Dawn also claimed that this abuse happened for years after the show ended. The lawsuit claimed she and her Danity Kane bandmates were forced to rehearse for up to 48 hours with no rest or food. She revealed that she lost a substantial amount of weight and started getting rashes from wearing a microphone pack for long days.

“Mr. Combs is shocked and disappointed by this lawsuit. In an attempt to rewrite history, Dawn Richard has now manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a pay day — conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour,” Diddy's attorney Erica Wolff wrote in a statement.

Dawn also claims she witnessed the rapper abuse other women. In 2009, the singer alleges she saw Diddy throw his ex Cassie Ventura against a wall, choke her and drag her up a flight of stairs at his Los Angeles home. She also alleges that she saw him throw a “scalding” pan of eggs on the 'Me & U' singer before punching her in the face and attempting to strangle her.

How Aubrey O'Day Reacted To Diddy's Arrest

Aubrey O'Day took to social media to celebrate Diddy's arrest. “The purpose of Justice is to provide an ending and allow us the space to create a new chapter,” she posted on X. "Women never get this. I feel validated."

"Today is a win for women all over the world, not just me. Things are finally changing."

Aubrey later told TMZ: “I never thought I would see this day. We all buried this inside of us in order to be able to keep going. And not just me, but victims you don’t even know yet. We are all processing what that type of vindication can actually feel like now. Every conversation I’ve had with victims last night has been beyond moving on all levels.”