Amid an unprecedented act of violence during the 2022 Academy Awards, there was one man who presented himself as a symbol of peace.
“I did not know that this was going to be the most exciting Oscars ever,” Sean “Diddy” Combs said just moments after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock during the live telecast. “OK, Will and Chris—we’re going to solve that like family at [Beyoncé and JAY-Z’s] Gold party. But right now we’re moving on with love.”
It wasn’t a surprise to see Diddy trying to play healer. For years, the hip-hop mogul had positioned himself as someone reflective, thoughtful, and compassionate.
