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The documentary filmmaker, who was hired to film Sean “Diddy” Combs for the past two years, has explained how Netflix acquired the background footage of Combs arrived in the days before his arrest.
Background material came to Netflix through a representative
Michael Oberlies dispelled online rumors about an alleged “fee dispute or contract matter.” He instead claimed that 50 Cent and the director of “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” apparently came into possession of the material because he hired a freelancer to briefly represent him.
“We have been working on a project portraying Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs for over two years,” Oberlies said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “The footage in question was not released by me or anyone authorized to handle Sean Combs’ material. It was released by a third party who filled in for me for three days while I was out of state. This incident had nothing to do with a royalty dispute or contractual matter. The actions of the parties involved reflect the lack of integrity that every storyteller should abide by. Taking footage intended for our project to advance a narrative that was not our own is both both unethical and unacceptable.”
How Netflix obtained the stunning footage for the four-part documentary is a dominant theme surrounding the project. Director Alexandria Stapleton and Netflix insisted in previous statements that the footage was “legally obtained.”
Cameras show Combs moments before his arrest
Cameras show Combs in his hotel room at the Park Hyatt in New York City on September 10, 2024. Just six days before he was arrested. (The 56-year-old was acquitted of the more serious charges in July, but received 50 months in prison after being found guilty of two counts of solicitation to engage in prostitution.)
Although relatively short, the material offers an unprecedented insight into Combs’ innermost environment. While working on his own potential documentary, Combs instructs his defense attorney Marc Agnifilo not to just appear on CNN to spread his narrative. But rather “finding someone who has been involved in the dirtiest of the dirty, dirty media and propaganda businesses” to target potential jurors on Instagram and TikTok.
He gives clues to the apparent backup videographer, asking him to make “intermediate cuts” of police officers who happen to be on a nearby roof. Combs hugs and smiles with fans at a Harlem bar, but laughs in his SUV about needing hand sanitizer and wanting to take a hot bath because he was “out there on the street with people.”
Combs rages over lawsuit from Dawn Richard
Sean Combs was also filmed freaking out in real time upon learning of former Danity Kane and Diddy Dirty Money artist Dawn Richard’s sexual harassment lawsuit, declaring “now the gloves are off.” He directed people close to him, including his adult son Justin, to distribute old clips of Richard praising him in interviews.
He also called in a favor from Diddy Dirty Money member Kalenna Harper, imploring her to release a statement contradicting Richard’s claims. During preliminary hearings, prosecutors for the Southern District of New York referred to Combs’ repeated calls and text messages to Harper as a form of witness influence. (Harper eventually released a statement. Combs’ lawyers denied the accusation.)
Oberlies has been working with Combs since at least 2019. As the music mogul’s personal photographer, the 36-year-old captured Combs’ star-studded 50th birthday party at his home in Los Angeles; documented his recordings for The Love Album: Off the Grid (2023); and even accompanied Combs’ adult sons to court when Combs was arraigned on September 17, 2024, on federal sex trafficking and protection racket conspiracy charges. (ROLLING STONE has reached out to the freelance videographer for comment.)
Combs was surprised that Netflix had the material
Combs was apparently surprised that Netflix received the material. His team sent a cease-and-desist notice to Netflix before the documentary aired.
Calling the project a “hit piece” and accusing the streamer of violating copyright if they aired the material, Combs’ lawyers said, according to a Rolling Stone letter, that their client “has not hesitated to take legal action against media companies and others that violate his rights. And he will not hesitate to do the same against Netflix.” (Earlier this year, Combs sued NBCUniversal for $100 million over the documentary “Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy.” The case is pending.)
No lawsuit after broadcast – Stapleton believes material was legally acquired
However, Combs has not taken any legal action against Netflix since it aired. Director Stapleton has repeatedly emphasized that she acquired the material “legally” and had the “necessary rights” to use it. “We have moved heaven and earth to keep the filmmaker’s identity confidential,” she said in a statement. “One thing about Sean Combs is that he’s always filming himself. And it’s been an obsession for decades. We’ve also reached out to Combs’ legal team several times for an interview and comment, but have not received a response.”