The recent verdict in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex-trafficking trial drew a huge crowd outside a Manhattan courthouse. There were news crews, onlookers, and police, but the most eye-catching presence was that of influencers and content creators.
Combs was acquitted of serious charges but found guilty on lesser ones. The scene outside was wild, with people dressed in Diddy-inspired costumes and others even spraying each other with baby oil, a nod to the trial’s bizarre details.
The spectacle highlighted how celebrity trials have become a goldmine for online content creators. Armon Wiggins, a popular commentator on pop culture, moved from Los Angeles to cover the trial in person. He gained over 60,000 YouTube subscribers during this time, all while monetizing his viral content. “It’s been incredible,” he shared.
Similarly, Michelle Bracey, who also chronicled the trial on her TikTok, saw her followers jump from 9,000 to over 40,000. “This experience changed my life,” she remarked, noting how it opened new doors for her music career.
As the verdict was announced, a group of supporters celebrated by dancing and spraying baby oil, capturing attention on social media. One participant, known as Crackhead Barney on Instagram, saw her questionable antics as a form of performance art aimed at gaining attention.
Meanwhile, opposing opinions emerged among spectators. One man passionately defended Combs, claiming, “he beat her,” referring to allegations from Combs’ former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. She testified about multiple instances of abuse, highlighting the serious backdrop to this wild scene.
Celebrity trials like this one, as well as the defamation case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, show how social media amplifies public interest. These events create waves of content that resonate online, allowing creators to turn serious issues into shareable moments.
Now that the Combs trial is over, influencers are eager for the next big story. Wiggins believes this trend is just beginning: “The courts will have to adjust to this new reality,” he noted.
Overall, the merging of celebrity trials and social media is reshaping how we consume news and respond to serious issues.
For more on the repercussions of celebrity trials and their impact on social media, check out NBC News.