As the trial for Sean “Diddy”Combs commenced on May 5, a misleading image claiming to show him with gray hair while in an orange prison jumpsuit gained significant traction on social media. The post, shared by Facebook user Antonio Farmer, portrayed Combs presumed to be present in the courtroom amidst his ongoing legal proceedings. The caption humorously remarked:
“They stressing the hell outta Diddy in jail…bro done aged 15 years in 6 months”
Diddy was arrested by federal authorities in September 2024 and has remained in custody without bail since then, with judges denying his bail requests on four separate occasions. This situation has led many to speculate whether the stress of his trial has affected his appearance, particularly his hair.
Amidst the online discussion, some speculated whether the founder of Bad Boy Records had colored his hair, while others pointed out that inmates are prohibited from dyeing their hair in prison, suggesting that if the image were legitimate, the graying could only be natural.
However, it’s important to clarify that the viral image is not authentic. No official photographs have emerged from the courtroom during Diddy’s trial, with the sole representations being courtroom sketches.
Further examination of the image reveals a Grok watermark in the corner, indicating that it was produced using artificial intelligence technology developed by Elon Musk’s xAI. Grok, a generative AI chatbot, is noted for creating highly realistic images and visuals.
Courtroom Sketches Reflect Diddy’s Appearance
While the authenticity of the viral photo is in question, courtroom sketches do provide insight into Sean Combs’ current appearance. Reports indicate that when he appeared at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan courthouse in Lower Manhattan, he was seen wearing a suit, complemented by gray hair and a beard, according to US Weekly. The Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where Combs is held, has strict rules against hair dye for inmates.
However, there is a possibility that the artist behind the sketches intentionally depicted Combs with gray hair. Neama Rahmani, a personal injury lawyer who spoke to NewsNation about the case, commented on Combs’ altered appearance, stating:
“Combs is not going to be in court wearing his normal bling.”
Rahmani elaborated:
“You want to appeal to those jurors. You’re not going to come in wearing a Versace or Tom Ford suit. It’s going to be very different because this all matters. It really, really does.”
A jury consultant, Alan Tuerkheimer, echoed similar sentiments in discussion with US Weekly. He suggested that Combs may have allowed his hair to gray purposefully to present himself as a more mature and responsible figure to the jurors, diverging from the image of his younger self associated with the alleged misconduct.
Tuerkheimer remarked that with this more humbling appearance, Diddy might aim to convey a sense of repentance, potentially influencing how jurors perceive him without needing to formally acknowledge his prior actions. He stated:
“This is a more mature and gentler individual. Many of these assessments of a defendant take place subconsciously, as jurors process his entire appearance.”
In conclusion, even though the viral image of Diddy in a jumpsuit and gray hair has been identified as a fake, it is plausible that he currently does have gray hair. Official photographs of his recent appearance remain unreleased.