The documentary videographer who Diddy hired to film him over the past two years is revealing exactly how Diddy’s rival 50 Cent and Netflix obtained exclusive, unseen, behind-the-scenes footage of the mogul days before he was arrested in his federal racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking and prostitution case. The videographer denies the floating claim that he wasn’t paid and instead blames a freelancer who “covered him for three days.”
According to Rolling Stone, Diddy hired a documentarian named Michael Oberlies to follow him. As rumors continue swirling online amid the release of ‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning,’ directed by Alexandria Stapleton, Oberlies is now clearing the air. In a statement released to the music and news publication, Oberlies said:
“For over two years, we have been working on a project profiling Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. 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. 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. Taking footage intended for our project to advance a narrative that was not our own is both unethical and unacceptable.”
Oberlies has worked with Diddy since at least 2019. He even appeared to be a resident personal photographer for the Bad Boy Records founder, even capturing his star-studded 50th birthday party at his Los Angeles home. Oberlies also documented Diddy as he recorded his 2023 ‘The Love Album: Off the Grid‘. He also followed Diddy’s sons to court while supporting their father at his arraignment following arrest.
Diddy’s Legal Team Sends Cease-And-Desist To Netflix Over Exclusive Footage Obtained By Mogul’s Videographers
Before Oberlies cleared the air, rumors surfaced online claiming Diddy failed to pay his videographer leaving him to spite the mogul and sell the exclusive footage to his rival 50 Cent, who had been teasing a documentary on the mogul’s downfall.
Whenever 50 Cent or Netflix officials answered how they obtained the jaw-dropping behind-the-scenes footage of Diddy — notably exposing him in his most vulnerable moments before his September 17, 2024 arrest — they all simply and adamantly stated that they “legally obtained” the footage and would not reveal their sources.
Despite 50 Cent and Netflix doubling down on “legally obtaining” the exclusive footage, Diddy and his team — seemingly caught off guard by the obtained footage — sent a cease-and-desist letter to the streaming giant before the documentary aired.
In their letter to Netflix, Diddy’s team called the project a “hit piece,” accusing the streaming company of violating copyright laws upon premiering the footage. Diddy’s attorneys continued to insist he “has not hesitated to take legal action against media entities and others who violate his rights, and he will not hesitate to do so against Netflix.”
Diddy’s Videographer Captures Mogul In Vulnerable State Days Before RICO Arrest
As mentioned, Oberlies footage shows Diddy in the days leading up to his federal RICO arrest. Cameras began following him at his Park Hyatt hotel room in New York City on September 10, 2024. The footage shows Diddy in his hotel, moving around New York City, hanging out with fans in Harlem, and speaking with his family and team, including security detail, attorney Marc Agnifilo, chief of staff Kristina Khorram, and more.
Also as Oberlies mentioned, he had a freelancer fill in for him for a few days. ‘Sean Combs: The Reckoning‘ viewers can see Diddy giving the fill-in videographer pointers, telling them to get “cutaway shots” of law enforcement officials watching him on a rooftop across from his hotel room.
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