Former Diddy publicist breaks silence: "I Didn't See a Monster — or Chose Not To"

Rob Shuter, Sean Diddy Combs's former publicist, has come forward with his own experience and statement in an article titled “I Was Diddy’s Publicist. I Didn’t See a Monster — or Chose Not To". The article was published on June 18 by The Hollywood Reporter.

Briefing about his role as Sean Combs' publicist, he said.

"I took his calls at 1 a.m., traveled on his private jets and drafted statements that bore his name but never his truth. I thought I was managing a persona. In reality, I was helping protect a system."

Rob Shuter continued, stating that with all the allegations Diddy is denying, he’s left wondering what’s more troubling, whether being unaware or choosing to look away. He continued:

"When I say I didn’t see the alleged behavior, I mean it. But I also understand the ways I may have refused to. That refusal didn’t come from malice. It came from ambition. From awe. From the seductive hum of being needed by someone the world adored."

Robert James Shuter is a famous publicist known for his celebrity journalism, entertainment news, and has also worked for big names like Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, Jessica Simpson, Bon Jovi, and Kate Spade. Additionally, he has worked as the executive editor of OK! Magazine in the past.

Rob Shuter opens up about his time with Diddy

While talking about his time working with Sean Combs, Rob Shuter shared that all the visitors at Diddy's house had to go through a metal detector, something he hadn’t seen in any other celebrity home. Rob also recalled how bodyguards closely watched everyone and that there were guns in the house.

The former publicist was told by Combs's bodyguard not to handle Sean Combs’s bag during a private jet trip. Although he was never given a reason for that.

In another statement, while recalling a photo, he said:

"An agency once had a photo — Diddy with a mysterious girl. It wasn’t flattering. He ensured it was never seen again. No lawsuit, no public comment — just money. And silence."

In the article, Rob Shuter explained that working around a famous person made it easy for him to ignore his suspicious behavior. As per his statement, he convinced himself that he was doing something worthwhile as the publicist. Speaking on the topic, he added:

"Looking away is part of the job. You compartmentalize. You rationalize. You focus on the next campaign, the next event, the next crisis to spin. And in those moments, you become what systems like these need to survive: silent."

In the article, Shuter also shared that Sean Combs’s kind gestures were not random but planned in advance. He said trusted photographers were called to make it look natural, even though everything was set up to shape his image.

Speaking about other moments and how Sean Combs used his money, he said:

"He used cash like camouflage. Not just to tip a maître d’ for a table, but to literally buy his way into events that didn’t invite him. He is the only private individual I’ve ever known with a bank-grade cash-counting machine in his home."

Diddy has previously attended the Met Gala with girlfriends like Cassie Ventura and Yung Miami and also hosted Grammy after-parties.

Rob Shuter admitted in the article that he regrets his role in protecting powerful people like Diddy. While he once saw staying silent as a form of 'professionalism,' he now realizes that ignoring abuse is being complicit in it.

Diddy is currently in jail in New York on serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, reportedly waiting for his trial to continue.

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