Sean ‘Diddy‘ Combs’ former publicist has broken his silence amid the rapper’s sex trafficking trial. Rob Shuter, who worked for Combs during the early 2000s, opened up about ignoring his potential actions.
Shuter shared an open letter on June 18th as Combs’ trial enters its seventh week, with everyone from his ex-girlfriend Cassie to Kid Cudi taking the stand so far.
He told The Hollywood Reporter, “With Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs facing a cascade of allegations — including rape, sexual assault, sex trafficking and physical abuse — all of which he has denied, I’m left with a question I can no longer avoid: What’s more damning? Not knowing? Or not wanting to know? There is a difference. One is ignorance. The other is complicity.
“When I say I didn’t see the alleged behaviour, I mean it. But I also understand the ways I may have refused to. That refusal didn’t come from malice. It came from ambition. From awe. From the seductive hum of being needed by someone the world adored. It’s astonishing what we’ll fail to see when fame is in the room.”
After looking back at his work for Combs and learning about his alleged crimes, Shuter realised he was part of concealing his identity.
“I convinced myself that I was doing good work,” he said. “I was launching brands, placing magazine covers, shaping narratives. What I was actually doing was managing a mirage. And like so many others in the entertainment ecosystem — agents, producers, stylists, executives, managers — I learned to look away.
“Looking away is part of the job. You compartmentalise. You rationalise. You focus on the next campaign, the next event, the next crisis to spin. And in those moments, you become what systems like these need to survive: silent.”
After explaining how Combs staged photographs for not-so-random acts of generosity, Shuter said, “Keeping his secrets was part of the job.”
Combs has been charged with racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for purposes of prostitution. He’s pleaded not guilty to all five counts. His trial is ongoing; if found guilty, he faces up to life in prison.