Diddy’s mother Janice Combs opens up after bombshell verdict and reveals why she’s not celebrating just yet

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs escaped conviction on the most serious charges in his federal sex trafficking case on Wednesday, but his mother isn’t celebrating just yet, she exclusively told the Daily Mail.

Janice Combs was a constant, composed figure throughout the explosive eight-week trial in New York, where she, along with other family members, sat through graphic testimony that her son was a vicious, violent abuser of women and a drug addict.

Despite a courtroom victory that saw Diddy cleared of the most serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, the atmosphere in the court grew tense again on Wednesday as the music mogul prepared to learn whether he’d finally be released on bail.

Eighty-year-old Janice, who had been surrounded by family members all day, stole a few minutes for herself alone in the courthouse bathroom – calmly fixing her lipstick in the mirror as the judge’s decision loomed.

‘Do I seem calm? Of course I do,’ Combs told the Daily Mail. ‘Does anyone want to see me faint or collapse? No, they don’t. And I don’t want to see it myself. So… I hold it together.’ 

She looked slim and chic in white pants and a navy-and-white striped top with her amber-colored hair high and teased.

She spoke carefully and deliberately – but with warmth. 

‘It hasn’t been easy and it’s not over yet,’ Combs revealed. ‘We’re not making any plans (for a celebration) because it’s too soon.’ 

Janice Combs has been a constant, composed figure throughout her son’s explosive eight-week trial in New York. She is seen leaving the federal courthouse with family members on Wednesday after the verdict 

Diddy was cleared of the most serious offenses; sex trafficking and racketeering charges, but was convicted on two counts of prostitution-related charges 

She was right. 

Though there was heavy speculation that Diddy might be released on bond after he was acquitted on the three major charges but found guilty of two lesser counts, the judge ultimately denied him bail at a 5pm hearing.  

Instead, he was ordered to remain in jail until his sentencing in early October. 

Janice, showing the same resolve that has carried her through a painful, high-profile trial, didn’t flinch as the decision came down. 

Though her son has described her as ‘ailing,’ she looked polished and in control during a very long day Wednesday that began around 9am and didn’t end until after 6pm. 

She said she doesn’t pay attention to ‘the noise’ and just focuses on her son and her faith. 

‘I put all my faith in God, he’s the only one,’ she said. ‘The rest of it is just noise and doesn’t have anything to do with me. Thank you for asking, I appreciate it.’

Earlier, when the jury came back acquitting her son of the charges that could have sent him to prison for life, she told the Daily Mail in the courthouse cafeteria that she felt ‘incredible.’

The 80-year-old matriarch, flanked by her grandchildren, looked slim and chic in white pants and a navy-and-white striped top with her amber-colored hair high and teased 

Diddy’s daughters, Chance, and twins D’Lila and Jessie, were seen leaving the courthouse

Diddy’s sons Christian and Justin Combs are eager for their father to ‘come home’ after the jury delivered their shocking verdict in his sex trafficking and racketeering trial

She was more measured later that day.

Her energy contrasted sharply with the emotional outburst that followed the verdict: cheers in the courtroom, applause as Diddy left with his defense team, and tears of joy from his longtime friends and family. 

The 55-year-old rapper, smiling and clasping his hands in prayer, appeared relieved and thrilled as the jury foreman delivered the verdict. 

Judge Arun Subramanian received the note with the jury’s verdict at 9:52am local time, he told the court. 

When the jury foreman read the three counts of not guilty, several spectators erupted with joy.

‘First thing I’m gonna do is hug my Pops!’ Diddy’s son Christian Combs, 27, known professionally as King Combs, told Daily Mail in jubilation as he celebrated his father’s victory in an elevator at the Manhattan federal court house. 

‘We were hopeful, but you never know.’ 

‘I am so happy,’ another son Justin Combs, 31, added.

Janice waved at cameras as she left the building with a smile on Wednesday

The rapper’s son Justin Combs, 31, was also seen with friends and family after the verdict was announced 

Diddy’s mother remained stoic until she hugged her sister. His twin daughters D’Lila and Jessie, 18, rubbed their heads together when the not guilty verdicts were read.

Combs’s family members have been present throughout the trial since it began in early May. 

Janice waved at cameras as she left the building with a smile on Wednesday.

But despite lengthy pleas by lead defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, Diddy was ordered back to jail to await sentencing after a dramatic verdict day.

Combs, who had already been denied bail three times before the trial, had once again pleaded for mercy and freedom after the verdict, telling the judge he should be allowed back to Florida to look after his ailing mother.

He was found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, which can carry a combined sentence of up to 20 years, but was cleared of the top charges – a victory in many senses. 

It remains unclear how much longer the rapper, who has already been in jail for nine months, may spend behind bars.

Diddy has not been seen outside of the courtroom since September 2024, when he was arrested on suspicion of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Diddy was seen reacting dramatically after he was convicted of prostitution-related offenses but acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life

Janice raised Diddy as a single mother and had been a constant at his side as he built his empire

Diddy was raised by single mom Janice after his father, Melvin Combs, was shot and killed on Central Park West in Manhattan when he was three years old.

She raised Combs and his sister Keisha in poverty but has been a constant at his side as he built his empire – and then watched it crash around him after he was arrested at the Park Hyatt last year.

Combs, once one of the most powerful figures in the music industry, had vehemently denied all charges.

His lawyers insisted the sex was consensual. 

They conceded domestic violence was a feature of his relationships – one harrowing example of him beating and dragging ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura was caught on security footage that has been widely publicized.

Yet while disturbing, that did not amount to sex trafficking, the defense said. Jurors ultimately agreed.