Adria English has filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing him of drugging and trafficking her for sex at his infamous White Parties in the 2000s. English, who worked as a dancer, alleges she was coerced into attending these events after her then-boyfriend was promised modeling opportunities through Combs’ company, Sean John. She claims she was forced to drink, take drugs, and then was sexually assaulted multiple times at Combs’ parties in the Hamptons and Miami between 2004 and 2009.
Trigger Warning: This article discusses sensitive topics.
Per The Independent, English claims that Combs manipulated her into a world of exploitation. According to her lawsuit, she was “groomed” by Combs, given ecstasy-laced alcohol, and directed to engage in sexual acts against her will. Her experiences, as described in court documents, point to a pattern of abuse in which Combs used his status to prey on vulnerable people in his employment at his lavish parties.
Adria English Accuses Sean “Diddy” Combs of Sex Trafficking and Exploitation
In her lawsuit, Adria English claims she first met Sean “Diddy” Combs while working as a dancer at New York’s Hustler Club in the early 2000s. At the time, her boyfriend, an aspiring model, auditioned for Combs’ fashion line, Sean John, and was reportedly told he could secure work if English agreed to dance at parties hosted by Combs in the Hamptons and Miami.
However, English contends that she “did not agree to a lifetime of being exploited as a sexual pawn for the pleasure and financial gain of others.” The lawsuit alleges that English was “forced” to consume alcohol and drugs before being “passed off” to be sexually assaulted. Between 2004 and 2009, she claims to have been trafficked by Combs and others during this time.
English describes living her adult life with the trauma of being “trapped in a cycle of sex trafficking she never consented to” and asserts that Combs specifically targeted her for grooming. The lawsuit also names Tamiko Thomas as an alleged facilitator of the trafficking operation. Thomas, however, has denied the allegations, stating that English’s claims are “false” and maintaining that she has no connection to either Adria English or Sean Combs.
Mounting Lawsuits Against Sean “Diddy” Combs
Combs rose to fame in the 1990s as a producer, rapper, and entrepreneur. His built a business empire from successful ventures in music, fashion, and entertainment. He was instrumental in developing the careers of artists like The Notorious B.I.G. (Biggie Smalls), Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Kim, and Usher. He also played a central role during the East Coast-West Coast rivalry in the 1990s, which tragically culminated in the unsolved murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. While unverified rumors have circulated suggesting Combs was involved in ordering a hit on Shakur and played a role in Biggie’s death, no credible evidence or charges have been brought against him, and Combs has denied these allegations.
His influence and power have been overshadowed in recent years by numerous allegations of sex trafficking, racketeering, and domestic violence. English’s lawsuit is one of several that have surfaced in the past year, accusing Combs of similar behavior. In 2019, one of Combs’ intimate partners Gina Huynh, came forward with allegation that he dragged her by the head, punched her, and stomped on her stomach while she was pregnant with their child. In 2023, another one of his intimate partner’s Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a federal lawsuit against Combs that contained allegations of physical-, sexual- and emotional abuse throughout their 10 year on-again-off-again relationship. Other lawsuits with similar allegations were filed by Joi Dickerson-Neal and Liza Gardner.
Diddy Firmly Denies All Allegations of Sex Trafficking and Exploitation
In response to English’s claims, Combs has vehemently denied the allegations. His legal team has characterized the lawsuit as a “fabricated” attempt to exploit his public profile. In a statement, his representatives said:
“As we’ve said from the start, anyone can file a lawsuit without proof — and this case is a clear example of that.”
They went on to accuse English of filing false police reports and using high-profile events to gain attention.
Despite the denial from Combs, English remains steadfast in her fight for justice.