Kid Laroi has credited his long-time friend and ‘mentor’ Justin Bieber for helping him handle the difficulties of fame, amid allegations about Justin’s former mentor Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
Speaking at his keynote speech at SXSW Sydney on Saturday, the 21-year-old Australian opened up about his friendship with the Peaches hitmaker, 30, three years after collaborating on hit single Stay.
“Another person I wanted to highlight today… maybe a lot of people don’t understand what a good leader and mentor he is, except for Justin Bieber, especially in the last few years since we met and (lived) in Los Angeles.” said Laroi, born Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard.
“Not many people have experienced what he has experienced and I know I certainly haven’t, I have experienced a small part of it and he has been a huge help to me.”
“For me, I always know that when I have a question or when I’m confused about something, I find that he’s probably the first person I’m going to talk to.”
Diddy, 54, has been charged with sex trafficking and related crimes and will likely spend about 10 years behind bars if convicted, and more than 120 alleged victims have already come forward.
The rapper’s relationship with Justin has come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of the allegations, claims that Diddy denies.
Justin himself, new father to Jack Blues with wife Hailey, 27, is said to be “disgusted” by the allegations against Diddy and wants “nothing to do” with him.
Kid Laroi has credited his friend and ‘mentor’ Justin Bieber for helping him handle the difficulties of fame, amid allegations about Justin’s former mentor Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
Earlier this month, a resurfaced interview clip featuring Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Justin Bieber went viral following the rapper’s arrest.
It showed Diddy smiling and warning Justin not to talk about the things he does ‘with his big brother Puff,’ during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. together when the pop singer was just 16 years old.
During the interview, the couple reflected on the friendship they had at the time, but one comment caught fans’ attention.
When Jimmy asked how they became friends, Diddy responded, “I think we’ve become friends in a weird way.” It’s like Rob & Big’, a reference to skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and his bodyguard Christopher ‘Big Black’ Boykin.
Speaking at his keynote speech at SXSW Sydney on Saturday, the 21-year-old Australian opened up about his friendship with the Peaches hitmaker, 30, three years after collaborating on hit single Stay.
“Not many people have experienced what he’s experienced and I know I certainly haven’t, I’ve experienced a small part of it, and he’s been a huge help to me,” Laroi said.
Diddy, 54, has been charged with sex trafficking and related crimes and will likely spend about 10 years behind bars if convicted.
He added: “For many of us, he is like a little brother.” He is not afraid to call and ask for advice. He’s someone who, in terms of the industry, the recording industry is a strong family.
“He’s someone we definitely have in our arms and want to protect because, in addition to his talents, he’s a really good person.” He’s one of the biggest kids you’ll ever meet.
Jimmy then asked Justin, ‘You know, Diddy bought his son a Bentley, maybe he can buy you one too while you’re at it.’
The rapper’s relationship with Justin has come under renewed scrutiny in the wake of the allegations, claims that Diddy denies.
Justin replied: ‘He got me a Lamborghini. But I haven’t received it yet.
Jimmy said, ‘When is that coming? That Lamborghini. We talked about this last time.
In statements that have not aged well, Diddy explained: ‘The Lamborghini was there for a day or two and had access to the house.
And he knows better than to talk about the things he does with his older brother Puff on national television. Not everything is for everyone.’
Diddy was arrested last month at a New York City hotel and charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to practice prostitution.
The star will remain in a Brooklyn jail pending trial in his sex trafficking case after a second judge refused to accept a $50 million bail package offered by his lawyers.
U.S. District Judge Andrew L. Carter Jr. denied Combs’ request to be released to house arrest with GPS monitoring, with the judge noting that the hip-hop mogul could potentially tamper with witnesses.
Combs pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking allegations on September 19.
Justin himself, new father to Jack Blues with wife Hailey, 27, is said to be “disgusted” by the allegations against Diddy and wants “nothing to do” with him. Pictured: Justin and Hailey in 2022