Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ gin range could be sold as his sex trafficking case looms.
The rapper, 55, has been behind bars at the notoriously tough Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City awaiting trial on charges including racketeering – and Gordon’s gin and Baileys maker Diageo is now said to be exploring a sale of Cîroc Vodka, the spirit once backed by the music mogul.
The talks apparently come after Diageo settled a legal battle with the rapper, when he accused the firm of racism in its alleged neglect of his vodka and tequila brands.
He dismissed his lawsuits in January “without prejudice” and cut ties with the brands.
Since Combs’ arrest in September on charges of sex trafficking. Diageo meanwhile, has been struggling to revive sales of Cîroc in China and Latin America, while huge sales of Guinness have led to shortages in some pubs across the UK in the middle of the Christmas party season.
A Diageo spokesperson declined to comment on reports by Bloomberg it had started contacting potential buyers of Cîroc.
The reports come amid a claim Combs has lost a huge amount of weight while behind bars.
A journalist said he looked shockingly thin at the latest hearing in his case on Wednesday. (18.12.24)
Law and Crime reporter Elizabeth Millner was quoted by Page Six saying after the hearing: “He appeared just astonishingly thinner, which you can expect (from him being) inside a federal detention centre for a couple of months now.
“A lot different from the luxury lifestyle that he was living before, but he appeared very noticeably thinner and maybe being locked up in detention is starting to wear on him.”
The journalist added Combs’ appearance was starkly different from how he looked in a video that surfaced online of him playing hacky sack in Central Park days before he was arrested on 16 September.
She added the rapper’s hair has also changed, saying: “He appeared greyer a little bit.”
Combs has been denied bail three times while in federal custody.
Following a months-long investigation by authorities, he was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution – all of which he denies – and a trial date has been set for 5 May, 2025.
Combs was placed on suicide watch during his first week in custody, but was taken off of it shortly after, with his lawyer claiming his client was “focused and very strong.”