Danyel Smith Accuses Sean Diddy Combs of Making Death Threats in New Docuseries

In a recent report, former Vibe editor-in-chief Danyel Smith accused music mogul Sean Diddy Combs of making a death threat against her during a dispute over the magazine's April cover. Smith claims the incident occurred in 1997, and she recounts it in the new Investigation Discovery docuseries The Fall of Diddy.

According to Smith, Combs demanded to see the cover before it was finalized. When she refused, adhering to company policy, she says Combs threatened her over the phone, telling her she’d be found "dead in a trunk." Following the threat, Smith immediately contacted her lawyer, who reached out to Combs. An apology fax reportedly arrived two hours later. Smith further alleges that Combs came to the Vibe offices with two men in search of her.

Although this claim isn't new—Smith previously shared her version of events in a 2024 New York Times Magazine essay—Combs’ legal team has strongly denied the allegations. They described the docuseries as a "one-sided" narrative aimed at capitalizing on the media frenzy surrounding him. Combs' lawyers questioned why Smith continued working with him professionally if the threat were true, calling the claims "pure fiction."

The docuseries, which premieres January 27-28 on Investigation Discovery and streams on Max, explores Combs’ rise to fame and the controversies surrounding his career. Currently, Combs is facing federal charges and several civil cases, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

As the story continues to unfold, the spotlight is on the tension between Smith’s allegations and Combs' defense.