Aubrey O'Day opens up about disturbing Sean "Diddy" Combs allegations, and her hopes of "speaking for the underdogs"

Aubrey O’Day is stepping into a painful and deeply personal conversation—one she says is no longer just about her own experience, but about standing up for those who feel silenced by power, fear, or circumstance. The former Danity Kane singer has spoken publicly about disturbing allegations involving music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, reflecting on her confusion, emotional reckoning, and her desire to use her voice to advocate for people she describes as “the underdogs.”

O’Day, who rose to fame in the mid-2000s after being selected by Combs on MTV’s Making the Band, appeared in the documentary Sean Combs: The Reckoning. In it, she confronts an affidavit that alleges she was present during an incident involving Combs and another man while she was allegedly heavily intoxicated. O’Day has said she has no memory of the event described, a reality that has left her grappling with unsettling questions about consent, trauma, and what it means to learn about a possible assault secondhand.

Speaking in interviews following the documentary’s release, O’Day described the experience as emotionally destabilizing. She openly questioned what it means when someone cannot remember an alleged incident that others claim occurred. “Does that mean I was raped?” she asked candidly, acknowledging that the uncertainty itself has been deeply distressing. Rather than providing clarity, the affidavit forced her to confront the possibility that something happened to her without her knowledge or ability to protect herself.

O’Day emphasized that she is not making new legal accusations of her own, nor is she claiming definitive knowledge of what occurred. Instead, she said her purpose in speaking out is to illustrate the complexity of trauma, particularly in environments where power imbalances are extreme. At the time of her rise to fame, Combs was one of the most influential figures in the music industry, while O’Day was a young artist dependent on his approval for her career.

That imbalance, she suggested, is central to why so many people struggle to process or speak out about experiences that may have crossed boundaries. O’Day noted that fear, confusion, and self-blame often prevent survivors from immediately identifying harm, especially when the alleged behavior involves powerful figures who control careers, finances, and public narratives.

Combs has denied all allegations of sexual misconduct. His representatives have stated that he has never assaulted anyone and that accusations being circulated through documentaries and media interviews are false and damaging. Combs has consistently said he will address claims through the legal system rather than public commentary.

For O’Day, however, the focus has shifted away from Combs as an individual and toward a broader cultural reckoning. She explained that her decision to participate in the documentary and subsequent interviews was not driven by revenge or publicity, but by a sense of responsibility to others who may not feel safe speaking out.

“I want to speak for the underdogs,” she said, explaining that many people endure harmful situations without the resources, platform, or emotional support to tell their stories. O’Day acknowledged that her career afforded her visibility and financial independence that many survivors lack, and she feels compelled to use that privilege to amplify voices that are often ignored.

She also reflected on how her past experiences shaped her understanding of love, validation, and self-worth. Like many young performers entering the entertainment industry, O’Day said she was conditioned to equate success with approval from powerful men. Over time, she has come to recognize how those dynamics can blur boundaries and normalize behavior that should be questioned.

Healing, she explained, has involved redirecting her focus inward. Rather than prioritizing forgiveness for Combs or anyone else, O’Day said she is learning to forgive herself—for not knowing, for not remembering, and for not having the tools at the time to protect herself more fully. She described this process as ongoing and non-linear, acknowledging that public scrutiny can complicate private healing.

O’Day’s comments arrive amid a broader cultural moment in which the music industry is facing renewed scrutiny over abuse, exploitation, and systemic silence. Numerous artists and former collaborators have come forward with allegations against powerful executives in recent years, prompting conversations about accountability, consent, and the responsibilities of institutions that profit from young talent.

While O’Day’s story remains unresolved in many ways, her willingness to sit with uncertainty has resonated with many viewers. She stressed that not all survivors have clear memories or evidence, and that ambiguity does not invalidate pain. By sharing her confusion as openly as her convictions, O’Day hopes to create space for others who feel trapped between what they know, what they fear, and what they cannot remember.

Ultimately, she said, her goal is not to define her legacy by trauma, but by transformation. If her voice can help even one person feel less alone or more empowered to question harmful dynamics, she believes the emotional cost of speaking out is worth it.

As O’Day continues to process her experience publicly, her message remains clear: silence often protects power, and speaking—however complicated—can be an act of resistance for those who have long felt unheard.