A male individual, Joseph Manzaro, who lodged a sexual assault case against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, has reportedly dropped accusations against Beyoncé and Jay-Z in a lawsuit. Legal representatives for the couple demonstrated they were not present at a Miami party where the alleged incident occurred. The complainant, Manzaro, stated that he was drugged and transported to a Star Island dwelling to be subsequently mocked at another gathering, forced to put on an inappropriate facial disguise.
The man at the centre of the case, Manzaro, revised his lawsuit in a Florida courtroom on April 11, drawing out Beyoncé and Jay-Z from his allegations. PEOPLE magazine confirmed obtaining a copy of this amended complaint. According to Manzaro’s initial statement, he was under the influence of drugs and brought to a Star Island property, belonging to Gloria and Emilio Estefan, in celebration of Combs’ son Christian’s birthday in April 2015.
Upon arriving at the Star Island home, it is alleged that Gloria Estefan saw Manzaro’s declining condition, and she asked for a medical emergency call to be made. Emilio Estefan, however, allegedly intervened, according to information revealed in the lawsuit. Further claims suggest Manzaro was medicated a second time, removed from the property and paraded at another gathering while being made to wear a lewd mask, under qualified the event as a ‘freak-off.’
In terms of Beyoncé and Jay-Z, the power couple had their attorneys present conclusive evidence that they weren’t at the party in question. Page Six published a report mentioning the legal successes of Jay-Z and Beyoncé—key information proving their absence was provided by their legal representatives. Subsequent to these legal revelations, a 2015 article from the New York University’s official paper confirmed that Jay-Z was engaging in an event at the institution during the alleged occurrence.
Moreover, further corroborating their absence, the couple, after Jay-Z’s university engagement, jetted off to Hawaii for a vacation, as per images made public by The Daily Mail. Despite these new statements, Manzaro’s original complaint suggested him being drugged and transported through a subterranean passage to Combs’ residence, allegedly by Adria English, an ex-adult film actress. English was named a defendant in the original complaint, but this particular charge was later retracted.
Additional elements in the lawsuit name other defendants, one of whom purportedly stated that the alleged treatment of Manzaro was a form of ‘revanchism,’ adding that ‘Diddy prefers him to witness what we do to informants.’ The complainant stressed on further incidents in which Combs allegedly commanded that Manzaro should be subjected to public humiliation at the gathering.
According to the complaint, prior to the alleged mistreatment, he was undressed and then re-dressed in specific revealing attire, and a ‘black leather mask with a rubber barrier forcibly positioned and sealed over his head.’ At this point, there was a locked erotic accessory affixed to the mask extending from his mouth, as per claims found in the lawsuit. The plaintiff was subsequently subjected to what he describes as humiliating and non-consensual acts.
The accusation goes on to mention another instance where Gloria Estefan voiced concerns and again tried to call for medical assistance. Her attempts, however, were negated once more by Emilio Estefan. Emilio was included as a defendant within the lawsuit. Celebrities including Gloria Estefan, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, alongside basketball star LeBron James—who Manzaro contended was a witness at the event—were not held as defendants.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been met with numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, with dozens of individuals lodging lawsuits against him. Proceeding through each legal quagmire, Combs has staunchly refuted every single one of these charges. Beyond these cases, Combs is also fighting against allegations of federal sex crimes, to which he has entered a plea of not guilty.
In terms of the broader legal landscape surrounding this case, it is noteworthy that Combs is slated to stand trial for these federal allegations as of May 2025. The continual proliferation of such cases insinuates a growing concern around issues of consent, harassment and exploitation in celebrity circles and beyond. These allegations and subsequent lawsuits highlight crucial questions of power imbalance, consent, and accountability.
While the allegations against Combs and other celebrities have made headlines, it is essential to note that such lawsuits do not confirm guilt. They are legal tools employed in search of the truth and justice. Therefore, it is crucial that all sides of the narrative are thoroughly scrutinized until a final verdict is reached.
In a broader context, these cases contribute to the ongoing dialogue concerning power dynamics within the entertainment industry. It is a conversation that revolves around an industry often riddled with allegations of misuse of influence and predatory behaviour. Recent years have seen a significant surge in cases made public, and in many, legal action has followed.
Nevertheless, it’s also important to remain conscious of the potential damage these allegations carry. They leave indelible marks on the captive audience of these celebrities while causing significant harm to the accused’s reputation, regardless of the ultimate outcome. Public opinion can swing drastically—even before a court of law issues a verdict.
Across society, it is incumbent upon us to remember the nature of our legal structures: innocent until proven guilty. While our collective attention is attracted to such high-profile cases, let’s hold these truths in mindfulness. It is in such moments that the foundations of our justice system are tested, setting precedents for future cases to come.