Why Lance Bass Says He ‘Never Liked’ Diddy

Lance Bass is adding himself to the running list of celebrities stepping forward about their experience with Sean “Diddy” Combs.

On the Sept. 25 episode of Watch What Happens Live, Bass told host Andy Cohen about his experience touring with the disgraced music mogul in 2002. Combs supported the popular boyband on their final Celebrity tour, which also featured support from Ginuwine and Smash Mouth.

“I never had time to go to a Diddy party,” Bass said in reference to the infamous and extravagant gatherings Combs became known for. In official court documents, these parties were referred to as “Freak-Offs.”

Bass’ feelings toward Combs were solidified after he claims he overheard the Bad Boy exec urging Justin Timberlake to depart from the group.

“It’s kinda horrible, but never kinda liked him because the very last show in Orlando, I overheard him talking to Justin being like, ‘You need to drop these f’ers! You need to go solo!'” After the tour ended, Timberlake would go on to release his debut solo album, Justified, in November 2002.

Bass was offended at the suggestion, telling Cohen, “I was like, ‘I don’t like you anymore Diddy.’ I’m like, ‘At my own show? What the hell?’”

Shortly before the Adult Survivors Act of New York expired in November 2023, Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie filed a lawsuit alleging years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, which she settled shortly thereafter. Since then, Combs has been hit with a number of accusations and lawsuits, most recently from Thalia Graves.

Graves alleges that in 2001, the then-25-year-old was raped by Combs and his bodyguard, Joseph Sherman, in the Bad Boys studio. She also alleges that the assault was recorded, causing her emotional distress and feeling “worthless and isolated.”

Combs was arrested on Monday, Sept. 16 at a Manhattan hotel. A 14-page indictment obtained by PEOPLE was unsealed the following day in a federal court, charging the record executive with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The “freak-offs” were described by prosecutors as “elaborate and produced sex performances” that Combs would record, often without the victims’ consent. To ensure compliance, victims were often given drugs. Combs would then administer IV fluids to help them recover.

“He’s going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might and the full confidence of his lawyers and I expect a long battle with a good result for Mr. Combs,” Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo said outside court on Sept. 17.

Combs is scheduled to appear in court in early October. He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.