Diddy's mother slams Netflix for spreading misinformation and falsehoods about her family (Prince Williams/ Getty Images)
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ mother, Janice Combs, is pushing back forcefully against the allegations detailed in Netflix’s new docuseries Sean Combs: The Reckoning. In a statement shared with Deadline, she criticized the four-part series for what she described as a collection of false claims that distort her son’s past and unfairly damage their family’s name.
Janice said her decision to speak out came after watching narratives she believes were constructed to sensationalize Diddy’s life story rather than reflect the truth. “I am writing this statement to correct some of the lies presented in the Netflix, Sean Combs: The Reckoning,” she wrote. She argued that the docuseries contains “inaccuracies regarding my son Sean’s upbringing and family life” and insisted these errors were “intentionally done to mislead viewers and further harm our reputation.”
A central point of her rebuttal involved a claim made by Kirk Burrowes, a longtime associate of Diddy’s, who alleged that Diddy slapped Janice during a conversation following the tragic City College stampede in 1991. Janice categorically rejected that assertion.
“The allegations stated by Mr. Kirk Burrows [sic] that my son slapped me while we were conversing after the tragic City College events on December 28, 1991, are inaccurate and patently false,” she said.
She described that day as one marked by grief for the entire family, making it even more upsetting to see it used as what she considers a tool in a larger agenda. “That was a very sad day for all of us … For him to use this tragedy and incorporate fake narratives to further his prior failed and current attempt to gain what was never his Bad Boy Records is wrong, outrageous and past offensive.”
Janice went on to call for accountability from those behind the docuseries. “I am requesting that these distortions, falsehoods and misleading statements be publicly retracted,” she said, making clear she wants corrections issued, not just private acknowledgments. Her statement underscores the frustration and emotional weight she feels as the family faces renewed public scrutiny.
Sean Combs: The Reckoning premiered on Netflix on December 2. The docuseries explores a wide range of allegations and controversies surrounding the music mogul, arriving at a time when Diddy is already under intense public attention. Earlier this year, he was found guilty on two prostitution-related charges, a development that has led to heightened interest in his past and amplified reactions to the documentary’s release.
Janice’s response adds a new layer to the ongoing conversation about how the series portrays Diddy’s life and the motivations behind some of the claims included in it. Her statement reflects a mother’s defense of her son, but it also highlights her belief that some of the individuals featured in the documentary may have ulterior motives tied to past disputes, including long-standing tensions connected to Bad Boy Records.
Her insistence on retractions suggests she may continue to push for corrections or further public responses as the docuseries gains attention. For viewers, her comments introduce questions about the accuracy of certain accounts and emphasize the broader debate over how documentary storytelling intersects with personal history, legal battles and public perception.
While Netflix has not issued a response to Janice’s statement, her sharp criticism ensures the discussion surrounding Sean Combs: The Reckoning is far from over.
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