“Unethical and Unacceptable”: Diddy’s Videographer Explains How 50 Cent Got the Footage For Netflix Series

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former videographer is speaking out after leaked behind-the-scenes footage of the embattled music mogul surfaced online and was amplified by the 50 Cent produced series Sean Combs: The Reckoning on Netflix— intensifying public scrutiny during Combs’ ongoing legal troubles.

In a statement first provided to Rolling Stone, videographer Oberlies says the footage was taken without authorization while he was out of state and was never intended for public consumption.

“Taking footage intended for our project to advance a narrative that was not our own is both unethical and unacceptable.”
— Oberlies, videographer for Sean “Diddy” Combs

According to Oberlies, he and his team had been working on a long-form documentary project on Sean Combs for over two years. The leaked clips — which circulated widely after the documentary was aired — were never cleared for release and were not part of any dispute or payment issue, he says.

“The footage in question was not released by me or anyone authorized to handle Sean Combs’ materials; it was by a third party who covered for me for three days while I was out of state,” he explained. “This incident had nothing to do with any fee dispute or contract issue. The actions of the parties involved reflect the lack of integrity every storyteller should uphold.”

Diddy’s Reaction Amid Legal Turmoil

At the same time the footage was surfacing, Combs was reportedly furious behind the scenes after learning of a new sexual harassment lawsuit filed against him by former Danity Kane and Diddy-Dirty Money singer Dawn Richard. According to sources familiar with the situation, Combs “declared the gloves are off” and urged members of his inner circle — including his son Justin Combs — to circulate old clips of Richard praising him in past interviews.

Combs also reached out to former Diddy-Dirty Money member Kalenna Harper, asking her to publicly dispute Richard’s claims. During pre-trial hearings, prosecutors in the Southern District of New York pointed to Combs’ “repeated calls and texts” to Harper as potential witness tampering.

Sean Combs: The Reckoning earned 21 million views in the first week on Netflix.