Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly threatened a female magazine editor, saying she would end up “dead in the trunk of a car” after she refused to grant him approval on a cover photo shoot.
Danyel Smith, the former editor-in-chief of Vibe, wrote an essay revealing previously unknown details about Combs, including threats, intimidation, and misconduct, according to reports.
In her first-person account, Smith described her “insidious” interactions with Combs that left her fearing for her life and mentally distressed following the murders of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G.
In 1997, during preparations for Vibe’s December 1997/January 1998 issue, Smith faced a professional nightmare with Combs, who demanded to see the magazine covers before publication—a request she denied.
Smith recounted that after refusing, Combs threatened her, saying she would be found “dead in the trunk of a car” and later added, “I know where you are right now. Right on Lexington.”
The situation escalated when Combs visited the Vibe offices in New York with two security personnel, searching through cubicles and offices, making the staff feel threatened. They worked together to protect Smith by moving her from office to office.
The publication process was further disrupted when the servers in the Vibe office containing important elements were stolen. Rumors suggested that movers from Bad Boy Records, Combs’ label, might have orchestrated the theft.
“The entire memory had been removed from my mind, like the servers that were stolen from the offices,” Smith said, highlighting the profound impact of the experience.
Recently, Combs has faced seven civil lawsuits, including allegations of sexual assault and abuse dating back to 1990. Among the most notable accusations is one from Casandra Ventura, known as Cassie, who claimed that Combs raped, abused, and sex-trafficked her.
In response to these lawsuits, Combs denied the allegations on Instagram, stating, “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family, and for the truth.” However, surveillance video from 2016 obtained by CNN showed Combs attacking Ventura at an InterContinental hotel, sparking further public outrage.
Smith, who later wrote the memoir “Shine Bright,” reflected on the pervasive sexism in the music industry, including that perpetuated by Combs and others.
“It’s bizarre to see myself smiling in pictures with someone accused of such heinous crimes,” she noted.
Smith has struggled with the realities of the music industry, where male dominance often overshadowed professional ethics and personal safety.
“It’s shameful and wack for me not to have known fully. I considered myself a hard-hitting journalist,” Smith said, questioning her awareness and judgment during those times.
Smith described the music industry as a “mean place” kept “dangerous” by powerful male figures to maintain control. “The growing set of accusations against Combs has me angrily calling into question the fullness of my own memory and the precision of my timeline,” she added.
