“Diageo Doubles Down: No Puff Daddy Tequila Ads – Despite Ongoing Rape Allegations

Diageo, the British alcoholic beverages company, has recently renewed its opposition to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ involvement in ads for the tequila brand DeLeon, an alcohol brand that was sold by Combs in 2014 but is now owned by the company. The move comes in light of accusations that Combs was involved in a sexual assault in 2019. The allegations, which date back to a July 2019 incident involving Combs’ former personal chef Cindy Rueda, state that the hip hop mogul allegedly assaulted Rueda in a Malibu rental home. Although the Los Angeles County District Attorney declined to fill charges against Combs in the case, citing insufficient evidence, Diageo has continued to cite the claims in their push to keep him away from the brand he once held ownership. In a statement, Diageo stated that, “We take any allegations of this nature very seriously, and we are committed to doing right by our employees, partners, and the public. As a result, and given the allegations reported in the media, we have decided not to move forward with any involvement of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in the DeLeon Tequila brand in the U.S.” The move by Diageo is viewed by many as an act of solidarity with survivors of sexual assault and as an expression of support for the #MeToo movement. Critics of Combs have argued that the claims against him have received inadequate attention, despite the severity of the charges. The decision by Diageo has spurred much discussion about holding powerful people accountable for their actions and the importance of creating a safe working environment. In response to Diageo’s statement, activists have praised the company for taking a stand against the alleged perpetrator of the incident. At the same time, some argue that the decision was just an attempt by Diageo to strengthen its own public image and protect its brand. Despite the criticism, however, the company’s renewed determination to keep Combs away from the tequila brand has been met with approval from those who believe that survivors of sexual assault should be heard and supported.