A pair of college students are under fire after dressing up as Sean “Diddy” Combs and baby oil for Halloween. The male student wore blackface as part of the unusual costume, which featured a red bow tie, a black blazer, and white trousers. The female student accompanying him wore a pink sweater with a sign reading “Johnson’s baby oil” attached to the front.
The controversial costume was featured in a TikTok video posted on Sunday, following Halloween celebrations nationwide. However, the video was quickly deleted due to growing backlash.
The woman who shared the video, who is reportedly not the one in the costume, is a student at San Diego State University in California. The video was captioned: “How the group chat dressed for Halloween,” and included other costumes, such as Woody and Jessie from Toy Story and characters from Ratatouille.
Despite the original video being taken down and the poster’s social media accounts made private or deactivated, the clip has been saved and widely circulated online. Critics are now sharing San Diego State University’s contact information, urging people to express their concerns about the costumes.
A spokesperson for the university stated, “We are deeply concerned about the actions depicted and understand how this may affect others. Our team is working to confirm details, including the location and identities of those involved. We appreciate those who have come forward with information.”
The spokesperson emphasized that “the use of blackface and any actions trivializing sexual assault are deeply offensive and have no place in a respectful, caring community.” They also noted that behaviors that stereotype or harm individuals based on race or ethnicity contradict the university’s values.
While many have expressed outrage over the costumes, some critics also pointed out their poor execution. One critic remarked, “Aside from the blatant and despicable blackface, this is just an incredibly lazy version of Diddy.” Another added, “That’s not even a Diddy outfit; all you did was blackface.”
Another comment suggested that the male student should be “locked up in the same cell with Diddy as punishment.”
The reference to baby oil stems from Diddy’s recent legal troubles. In September, reports emerged that federal agents seized 1,000 bottles of baby oil from Diddy’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles. Allegations claim the oil was laced with the date rape drug GHB.
Diddy currently faces several charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, after being indicted for years of coercion and abuse. He has also been accused of inducing female victims and male sex workers into drugged sexual performances referred to as “Freak Offs.”
The practice of dressing in blackface has historically sparked outrage, leading to consequences for several public figures. Megyn Kelly’s NBC show was canceled in 2018 after she suggested that blackface was acceptable in some contexts during a segment. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced backlash when a photograph resurfaced showing him in blackface at a themed party in 2001.
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