Netflix has hit back at criticism of the new Diddy docuseries after 50 Cent’s footage went viral online.
The new four-part documentary was produced by rapper 50 Cent and was released on Netflix on Tuesday (December 2).
It faced pushback from the disgraced hip-hop mogul after a spokesperson for Diddy described the doc as ‘a shameful hit piece’ that ‘relied on stolen footage’.
Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, was convicted earlier this year on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution.
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Combs is now serving a 50 month sentence in prison and has said he has plans to lodge an appeal.
Now, Netflix has fired back at the former star, insisting that the documentary is ‘not a hit piece or an act of retribution’.
The doc includes footage that the streaming giant has described as ‘explosive’, having been filmed in the days leading up to his arrest, including a shocking phone call with his lawyer.
The spokesperson for Combs went on to argue that it was ‘fundamentally unfair, and illegal’ to use private recordings but Netflix has stated that it obtained the material legally.
Combs’ representative claimed that 50 cent is ‘a longtime adversary with a personal vendetta’, adding: “Netflix is plainly desperate to sensationalise every minute of Mr Combs's life, without regard for truth, in order to capitalize on a never-ending media frenzy.
“If Netflix cared about truth or about Mr Combs’ legal rights, it would not be ripping private footage out of context - including conversations with his lawyers that were never intended for public viewing. No rights in that material were ever transferred to Netflix or any third party.”
The statement continued: “For Netflix to give his life story to someone who has publicly attacked him for decades feels like an unnecessary and deeply personal affront. At minimum, he expected fairness from people he respected.”
In response, Netflix stated: “The claims being made about Sean Combs: The Reckoning are false.
“The project has no ties to any past conversations between Sean Combs and Netflix. The footage of Combs leading up to his indictment and arrest were legally obtained. This is not a hit piece or an act of retribution.
“Curtis Jackson (50 Cent) is an executive producer but does not have creative control. No one was paid to participate.”
Viewers have already taken to social media to react to the documentary, with one user writing on X, formerly Twitter: “50 Cent is absolutely insane how the f*** did he get this footage.”
And another added: “He really makes me feel like I haven’t reached my maximum hating power.”