From Diddy To Weinstein: Sexual Misconduct Allegations Shaking Up Hip Hop & Hollywood

Allegations of sexual misconduct have reshaped how the public sees fame and power in elite circles. Some of the most recognizable names in entertainment now face civil lawsuits, criminal convictions, or a flood of public accusations. Bigwigs like Sean "Diddy" Combs, R. Kelly, Harvey Weinstein, and Russell Simmons have all been tied to serious claims of sexual abuse or coercion. In 2025, Smokey Robinson became one of the latest additions to that growing list, after four women filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and workplace misconduct.




As Diddy's legal battles dominate headlines, the public reckoning around celebrity and accountability continues to unfold. These allegations don't only disrupt careers but fracture fanbases and spark online debates. Each case, conviction or not, forces a confrontation with how power is protected, abused, and in some instances, finally called out. We're taking another look at some of the most visible and controversial cases involving influential movers and shakers in the industry.

Read More: Diddy Allegedly Tried To Bribe Hotel Security Into Keeping Quiet About Cassie Assault

Sean "Diddy" Combs: The Collapse Of An Empire

Hip Hop mogul and Bad Boy Records founder Sean "Diddy" Combs is one of the most prominent, familiar faces in the entertainment industry. Yet, his status as a legendary icon has come under scrutiny following a wave of sexual assault and abuse allegations. In November 2023, singer and former partner Cassie (real name Casandra Ventura) filed a federal lawsuit accusing Combs of rape, physical abuse, sex trafficking, and years of coercive control. The suit was settled within 24 hours, but it triggered a flood of new lawsuits under New York's Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily extended the statute of limitations for sexual assault claims.




Dozens of people have since come forward with allegations spanning decades, including claims of rape, drugging, and violent assault. Several lawsuits name Combs alongside his companies, alleging a pattern of enabling and concealing misconduct within his business empire. In March 2024, federal agents raided Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a Homeland Security investigation tied to alleged sex trafficking.




In May 2025, Combs' sex trafficking and racketeering trial began. The 17-page indictment accuses Combs of leading a criminal enterprise that engaged in sexual exploitation, forced labor, and other crimes over two decades, with the help of friends and employees.

Read More: Diddy's Legal Team Paints Alleged Victims As Jealous In Opening Statements

Combs has publicly denied all allegations. His legal team has dismissed the lawsuits as false and called them a money grab. However, the public response has shifted dramatically. Former collaborators and fans have distanced themselves, while multiple companies have cut ties, including Revolt TV, where Combs stepped down from his role as chairman.

Harvey Weinstein: Accused Of Abusing His Power

Once hailed as one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, the fall of a movie mogul helped define the early years of the #MeToo movement. More than 80 women came forward with allegations against Harvey Weinstein, ranging from sexual harassment to rape. Many described patterns of coercion, threats, and industry blackballing. These stories spanned decades and reshaped how sexual misconduct in elite spaces is addressed.




Then, in 2020, Weinstein was convicted in New York on charges of rape and sexual assault and sentenced to 23 years in prison. In a controversial move, that conviction was overturned in April 2024. A New York appeals court ruled that the inclusion of testimony from women not directly tied to the charges had denied him a fair trial.

Read More: Katt Williams Recounts "Scary Situation" Harvey Weinstein Put Him In

These days, he remains incarcerated, serving a separate 16-year sentence from a 2022 conviction in Los Angeles tied to a 2013 assault at a Beverly Hills hotel. Last month, Weinstein went back on trial in New York, this time facing a tighter case centered on the testimonies of three accusers. The disgraced movie mogul continues to insist all encounters were consensual.

R. Kelly: Years Of Allegations & An Industry Reckoning

For decades, R. Kelly's acclaim masked a pattern of alleged sexual misconduct. Despite early accusations in the 1990s, it wasn't until the #MeToo movement and the 2019 documentary Surviving R. Kelly that public scrutiny intensified. In 2021, Kelly was convicted in New York on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, resulting in a 30-year prison sentence.




The following year, a federal court in Chicago convicted Kelly on child pornography and enticement charges, adding a 20-year sentence, with one year to be served consecutively. A federal appeals court upheld his convictions and sentences In 2025. More allegations have emerged, including claims from his daughter, Buku Abi, who accused him of sexual abuse during her childhood.

Read More: Cam'ron Calls Out R Kelly & Kanye West For Putting A "Stain" On Chicago

Danny Masterson: Scientology, Rape Allegations, & Prison

At the height of his fame on That '70s Show, Danny Masterson was accused of raping three women between 2001 and 2003. The initial case in 2022 ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury. A retrial in 2023 resulted in Masterson's conviction on two counts of rape, leading to a sentence of 30 years to life in prison. The case also highlighted the Church of Scientology's alleged attempts to shield Masterson, as all three accusers were former members who claimed the church discouraged them from reporting the assaults.




Masterson's legal team has filed an appeal, arguing that the trial was unfair due to the testimony regarding Scientology doctrine and excluding evidence related to Masterson. As of now, Masterson remains incarcerated at the California Men's Colony, with his possiblity of parole in as early as 2042.

Read More: The Rise & Fall Of Danny Masterson

Bill Cosby: Celebrities & Fans Divided Over Sexual Misconduct Accusations

Once celebrated as "America's Dad," Bill Cosby's legacy has been tarnished by numerous allegations of sexual misconduct throughout his longstanding career. In 2018, Cosby was convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004, marking a significant moment in the #MeToo movement. He was sentenced to three to ten years in prison. However, in 2021, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the conviction, citing a prior agreement with a former prosecutor that precluded criminal charges, leading to his release after serving nearly three years. 




Despite his release, Cosby continues to face legal challenges. A Los Angeles jury found him liable in a civil case in 2022, brought by Judy Huth, who alleged he sexually assaulted her at the Playboy Mansion in 1975 when she was 16. She was awarded $500,000 in damages. In 2023, nine women, including Janice Dickinson, filed a lawsuit in Nevada accusing Cosby of sexual assault between 1979 and 1992. This came following a change in state law removing the statute of limitations. Additional lawsuits have been filed under similar laws in other states, including New York and California.

Read More: How Hip Hop Has Reacted To The Bill Cosby Scandal

Cosby has consistently denied all allegations, asserting that any encounters were consensual. Nevertheless, the multitude of accusations and ongoing legal proceedings have significantly impacted his public image and legacy.

Soulja Boy: Civil Sexual Battery Verdict & Years Of Abuse Allegations

In April 2025, a California jury found rapper Soulja Boy, born DeAndre Cortez Way, liable in a civil lawsuit filed by his former personal assistant, identified as Jane Doe. The lawsuit, initiated in 2021, alleged that between 2019 and 2020, Way subjected her to repeated acts of sexual battery, physical assault, emotional distress, and wage violations during their professional and romantic relationship. 




The jury awarded Jane Doe over $4 million in compensatory damages and an additional $250,000 in punitive damages. While the jury did not find Way liable for false imprisonment, they upheld claims of sexual battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, sexual harassment, and nonpayment of wages.

Read More: Soulja Boy Questions His Sexual Assault Accuser's Motive After She Wins $4 Million Lawsuit

During the trial, Jane Doe reportedly testified about the abuse she endured, including instances of being punched, kicked, and sexually assaulted. She recounted losing significant weight due to the abuse and feeling dehumanized. Way has denied all allegations, asserting that the relationship was consensual and that the claims were financially motivated. His legal team has indicated plans to appeal the verdict.




Further, in 2023, Soulja Boy was issued a judgment ordering him to pay over $400,000 to ex-girlfriend Kayla Myers for assault and kidnapping allegations.

Russell Simmons: Rape Lawsuits & Life Abroad

In the late 2010s, Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. In November 2017, writer Jenny Lumet accused Simmons of sexual assault in a guest column for The Hollywood Reporter, leading to his resignation from business ventures. Later, several women, including former Def Jam executive Drew Dixon and activist Sil Lai Abrams, came forward with similar allegations, which were detailed in the 2020 HBO Max documentary On the Record. The film was also centered the challenges Black women face when reporting sexual violence, particularly within the music industry.




In February 2024, Simmons was sued in New York federal court by a former Def Jam executive, identified as Jane Doe, who alleged that he sexually assaulted her in the 1990s. Additionally, Drew Dixon filed a defamation lawsuit against Simmons, claiming he made false statements about her in a 2023 interview, impacting her reputation and career.




Simmons has denied allegations, claiming that his relationships have been consensual. He has not been criminally charged in connection with these accusations. In recent years, Simmons has resided in Bali, Indonesia, which does not have an extradition treaty with the United States.

Read More: Russell Simmons Allegedly Owes Even More Money To Accusers Over Settlements

Conor McGregor: Sexual Assault Lawsuits In Ireland & The U.S.

Headlines about Conor McGregor used to focus on knockouts and pay-per-view numbers. Now, his name is tied to civil courtrooms and serious accusations that have fractured the image of a once untouchable sports star.




In 2024, a Dublin jury found McGregor liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand, a woman who alleged he attacked her in a hotel penthouse in 2018. The court awarded her over $250,000 in damages, and the fallout was immediate. Major sponsors, including his whiskey brand's parent company, pulled back. The ruling marked a turning point in how McGregor's behavior outside the cage was being addressed.




Weeks later, another lawsuit surfaced. This time in the U.S., where a woman accused McGregor of assaulting her during the 2023 NBA Finals at Miami's Kaseya Center. The lawsuit also names the Miami Heat and venue staff, citing negligence. McGregor has denied both claims and is currently appealing the Irish civil verdict.

Read More: Conor McGregor Responds To Recent Assault Allegation

The Game: Multi-Million Dollar Judgment & Refusal To Pay

Legal trouble has followed The Game since a 2015 encounter with a contestant on his VH1 reality show She's Got Game. The woman, Priscilla Rainey, accused him of sexual assault during an off-camera date, claiming he groped her multiple times while intoxicated. The rapper, real name Jayceon Taylor, didn't show up to court. In 2016, a judge entered a default judgment against him, awarding Rainey more than $7 million in damages.




Years passed without payment. In 2020, a judge granted Rainey ownership of his label, Prolific Records, along with the rights to his 2019 album Born 2 Rap. The legal maneuver was intended to extract royalties and recoup part of the unpaid judgment. Still, Taylor and his team pushed back publicly. He refused to acknowledge the case's legitimacy and dismissed the accusations in interviews. By 2025, the consequences escalated. A Los Angeles court ordered the sale of Taylor's Calabasas mansion to satisfy the unpaid judgment.

Read More: The Game Loses His House In Legal Battle With His Sexual Assault Accuser Priscilla Rainey

DJ Akademiks: Defamation Suit & Livestream Fallout

Social media clout has shielded many influencers from accountability, but that protection is starting to crack. In 2024, DJ Akademiks, real name Livingston Allen, was sued for rape, sexual assault, and defamation by writer Fauziya Abashe. She alleged that during a 2022 visit to Allen's home, she was drugged and sexually assaulted by two of his associates, then later by Allen himself. According to the lawsuit, she only learned the full extent of what happened after Allen showed her home surveillance footage the following morning.




Abashe also accused Allen of defaming her in 2023, saying he used his platform to mischaracterize the incident as consensual and paint her as someone chasing a payout. Allen has denied the claims and dismissed the lawsuit as a shakedown, stating that police cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Read More: DJ Akademiks Apologizes For Grooming Scandal While Still Sending Shots At His Haters

While the lawsuit was unfolding, Allen found himself in another firestorm. In January 2025, he was widely criticized for making sexually explicit comments toward a 15-year-old boy during a livestream. The clip went viral, leading to his Twitch suspension and heavy backlash across platforms. Allen later called it a "teachable moment" and promised to be more mindful, but the damage was already done.

Cuba Gooding Jr.: Guilty Plea, Civil Settlements & New Accusations

The sheen of Hollywood prestige has faded for Cuba Gooding Jr., as a series of sexual misconduct allegations have cast a long shadow over his career. In 2022, Gooding pleaded guilty to forcibly touching a woman at a New York nightclub in 2018, admitting he "kissed the waitress on her lips" without consent. As part of a plea deal, he avoided jail time by completing six months of alcohol and behavior counseling.




The following year, just as jury selection was set to begin, Gooding settled a civil lawsuit accusing him of raping a woman in a New York City hotel room in 2013. The settlement preempted expected testimonies from three other women who also claimed that Gooding sexually assaulted them. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Read More: Cuba Gooding Jr Hit With Sexual Assault Lawsuit From Two Women

In November 2023, two additional women filed separate lawsuits under New York's Adult Survivors Act, alleging sexual assault and battery in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Further complicating his legal troubles, Gooding was named in a 2024 lawsuit filed by music producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones against Sean "Diddy" Combs. Jones alleged that Gooding groped him without consent during an encounter on Combs' yacht in January 2023.

Kevin Spacey: Courtroom Acquittals & Career Losses

The unraveling of a celebrated actor's career began in 2017 when Anthony Rapp accused Kevin Spacey of making a sexual advance toward him in 1986, when Rapp was 14. This revelation opened the floodgates, with over a dozen men coming forward with similar allegations, including incidents during Spacey's tenure at London's Old Vic Theatre. In 2022, a New York jury found Spacey not liable in Rapp's civil lawsuit. The following year, a London court acquitted him of nine charges related to alleged assaults between 2001 and 2013.




Despite these legal victories, the damage to Spacey's reputation was profound. He was removed from major projects, including Netflix's House of Cards and Ridley Scott's All the Money in the World, where his scenes were reshot with Christopher Plummer. In 2021, an arbitrator ordered Spacey to pay $31 million to the producers of House of Cards for breach of contract due to his alleged misconduct.

Read More: Kevin Spacey's Sexual Assault History Gets Him Booted Off Ridley Scott Movie

In 2024, Spacey hinted at a return to acting, joining the cast of the thriller El Despertar. However, public opinion remains divided, with some in the industry advocating for his return and others questioning the implications of his comeback.

Russell Brand: Civil Suits & The Collapse Of A Rebrand

The transformation from eccentric entertainer to self-styled wellness coach couldn't shield Russell Brand from a reckoning. In September 2023, a joint investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times, and Channel 4's Dispatches, brought forth allegations from five women, accusing Brand of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013. One accuser was 16 at the time, alleging that Brand sent a car to pick her up from school.




Brand denied the allegations, asserting that all his relationships were consensual and framing the investigation as a coordinated attack against him. Nevertheless, the fallout was swift. His talent agency severed ties, YouTube suspended monetization of his channel, and several tour dates were postponed.

Read More: Russell Brand Hit With Various Sexual Assault Charges Following Police Investigation

In April 2025, following an 18-month investigation, British police charged Brand with one count of rape, one of indecent assault, one of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault, relating to incidents alleged by four women. Brand appeared in court in May 2025, where he was granted bail pending further proceedings.




Simultaneously, Brand faces a civil lawsuit in New York, filed under the Adult Survivors Act. He stands accused of sexually assaulting a woman on the set of the 2010 film Arthur. The suit also names Warner Bros. and other parties for allegedly enabling the misconduct. Brand continues to deny the allegations.

Tekashi 6ix9ine: Abuse Lawsuits & A Pattern Of Violence

The spectacle surrounding Tekashi 6ix9ine has often overshadowed the gravity of his legal troubles, particularly those involving sexual misconduct. In 2015, Daniel Hernandez, commonly known as Tekashi 6ix9ine, pleaded guilty to the use of a child in a sexual performance. The case involved a 13-year-old girl who appeared in explicit videos that Hernandez later disseminated online. Despite the severity of the charges, he avoided prison time through a plea deal that required him to obtain a GED and refrain from further criminal activity. However, subsequent legal issues, including a 2018 arrest for racketeering, led to a reevaluation of his sentence. Ultimately, he was sentenced to four years of probation and 1,000 hours of community service.




In 2020, the victim from the 2015 case filed a civil lawsuit against Hernandez, alleging child sexual assault and emotional distress. Further complicating his legal history, Hernandez admitted in a 2019 cooperation agreement to years of domestic violence from 2011 to 2018. His ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, Sara Molina, publicly accused him of physical and sexual abuse during their relationship.

Read More: 6ix9ine On Using A Minor In A Sexual Performance

In 2024, Dominican rapper Yailin La Más Viral, another of Hernandez's ex-girlfriends, filed a lawsuit alleging physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as financial exploitation.

Michael Pitt: Strangulation Charges & A Public Unraveling

In May 2025, Michael Pitt was arrested and arraigned in Brooklyn on nine criminal charges, including first-degree sexual abuse, criminal sexual acts, assault, attempted assault, and strangulation. The allegations stem from four incidents between April 2020 and August 2021, involving his ex-girlfriend at his Bushwick residence. Prosecutors allege that Pitt sexually abused her, forced oral sex, assaulted her with a wooden plank and a cinderblock, and attempted to strangle her.




Pitt pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on $100,000 bail. His attorney dismissed the allegations as baseless, claiming they were raised years after a consensual relationship ended. This is not Pitt's first encounter with the law. In 2022, he was arrested for assault and petty larceny after allegedly hitting a man and stealing his phone. Later that year, he was hospitalized following reports of erratic behavior. Pitt is scheduled to appear in court again in June 2025.

Metro Boomin: A Rape Allegations & Pending Case

A lawsuit filed in October 2024 has brought serious allegations against Grammy-nominated producer Metro Boomin, whose real name is Leland Wayne. Vanessa LeMaistre, a 38-year-old Los Angeles woman, alleges that in 2016, during a visit to Wayne's California recording studio, she consumed alcohol and half a Xanax, leading to a blackout. She claims to have awoken in a Beverly Hills hotel room to find Wayne sexually assaulting her. LeMaistre later discovered she was pregnant and underwent an abortion, attributing the pregnancy to the alleged assault.

Read More: Metro Boomin Responds To Sexual Battery & Sexual Assault Allegations

Wayne's attorney, Lawrence Hinkle II, has denied the allegations, labeling the lawsuit a "pure shakedown" and stating that Wayne will defend himself in court, with plans to file a claim for malicious prosecution if he prevails.

Donald Trump: Sexual Abuse Verdicts, Defamation Damages & Public Denial

The accumulation of sexual misconduct allegations against Donald Trump includes over two dozen women publicly accusing him of inappropriate behavior. This includes accusations of groping, non-consensual kissing, and sexual assault. These allegations date back to the 1970s and involve various settings, from beauty pageants to private encounters.




In a notable legal development, writer E. Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. She filed a defamation lawsuit after Trump denied the allegations, claiming he had never met her. In May 2023, a New York jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, awarding her $5 million in damages. Subsequently, in January 2024, another jury ordered Trump to pay an additional $83.3 million for further defamatory statements made during his presidency.

Read More: Donald Trump Furious After Losing $5 Million In Sexual Abuse Trial

Despite these legal setbacks, Trump has continued to deny all allegations, labeling them as politically motivated attacks. His responses have included derogatory remarks about his accusers and threats of legal action against them. The persistence of these allegations and the legal findings against Trump have fueled ongoing debates about accountability.




[via][via][via][via][via][via][via][via][via][via][via]
The post From Diddy To Weinstein: Sexual Misconduct Allegations Shaking Up Hip Hop & Hollywood appeared first on HotNewHipHop.



via: https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/909201-celebrities-sexual-misconduct-diddy-weinstein