Sean Combs, popularly known as P Diddy, is currently facing a surge in sexual abuse lawsuits and has chosen to step down from his chairman role at Revolt. This decision comes as a growing number of brands are cutting ties with the rapper, following accusations of sexual assault and physical violence made by R&B singer Cassie Ventura and three other women.
According to Rolling Stone, 18 brands have officially severed connections with Empower Global, the platform Combs heavily invested in with over $20 million. The decision to distance themselves from Empower Global has been attributed to the gravity of the allegations and a commitment to supporting the victims.
Annette Njau, founder of luxury fashion brand House of Takura, expressed deep concern about the allegations against Combs, stating, “We take the allegations against Mr. Combs very seriously and find such behavior abhorrent and intolerable. We believe in victims’ rights and support victims in speaking their truth, even against the most powerful of people.”
Other brand founders echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing their dedication to respecting individuals, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, or age.
The departure of these brands marks a significant setback for Empower Global, especially given the initial enthusiasm surrounding its launch in July. Some brands pointed to the lackluster performance of Empower Global as an additional factor in their decision to sever ties.
Rebecca Allen, founder of a high-end footwear company, disclosed that her brand had not experienced meaningful sales and had already planned to terminate the partnership before the allegations surfaced.
Rapper Diddy dropped by 18 brands and labels as s3xual abüse allegations continue to mount pic.twitter.com/Y1hy2S5EK4
— Blinkscoop Official (@Blinkscoop1) December 12, 2023
In addition to allegations affecting Empower Global, some brands reported dissatisfaction with the platform’s sales performance and communication. This, combined with the negative news, influenced their decision to leave.
Operating similarly to Amazon, Empower Global requires sellers to pay a monthly subscription fee and takes a percentage of sales as a marketplace fee.
While some brands are choosing to remain associated with Empower Global for various reasons, even they are closely monitoring the situation. Any further negative developments or impacts on their brand’s standing may lead them to reconsider their association.
Combs responded to the allegations, stating that they were attempts to tarnish his character, and he vowed to fight for his name and reputation. He reached a private settlement with Cassie, with his lawyer clarifying that the settlement did not imply any admission of wrongdoing.
Beyond his music career and e-commerce ventures, Combs has a diverse empire, including his apparel line Sean John, investments in the AQUAhydrate water line, and partnerships with Diageo in promoting Ciroc vodka and DeLéon tequila. Diageo is reportedly seeking to prevent Combs from using marketing dollars to feature his face in new advertising for DeLéon, citing potential damage to the brand.
