In a shocking new interview, comedian and actor Kevin Hart has spoken out about how Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly played a major role in influencing Justin Bieber during some of the most turbulent years of the pop star’s life. The claims, which have set the entertainment world ablaze, shed new light on the close relationship between Diddy and Bieber, one that many fans were unaware had such a deep impact on Bieber’s behavior and career.

Kevin Hart, known for his humor and candidness, didn’t hold back as he opened up about some of the behind-the-scenes moments he witnessed between Diddy and Bieber. According to Hart, Diddy took Bieber under his wing when the young singer was skyrocketing to fame, but instead of guiding him in a positive direction, he allegedly exposed Bieber to a lifestyle filled with partying, excess, and questionable influences.

Hart claims that Bieber, who was still in his teens at the time, was vulnerable and impressionable, making him easy prey for the wild lifestyle that Diddy encouraged. The comedian suggested that Diddy’s high-profile parties, infamous for their wild nature, became a regular part of Bieber’s life during his formative years. It was at these parties that Bieber was introduced to an environment that many believe contributed to his bad-boy phase, which saw him getting into legal trouble, involved in numerous controversies, and developing a reputation for reckless behavior.

During the interview, Hart explained that while Diddy’s intentions might not have been to harm Bieber, the young pop star was not ready for the intense world of celebrity excess that he was thrust into. Hart said, “Diddy had him living like a rockstar, but Justin wasn’t prepared for what came with that. He was a kid, and suddenly he was in this world where everything was handed to him, and nobody was telling him ‘no.’ It was a recipe for disaster.”

Bieber’s well-documented struggles during this period included run-ins with the law, reckless driving incidents, and substance abuse rumors, many of which were attributed to his sudden exposure to a world of fame and fortune that he didn’t know how to navigate. According to Hart, Diddy played a role in amplifying Bieber’s rebellious phase by enabling a lifestyle that encouraged risky behavior without considering the long-term consequences on the young star’s mental and emotional well-being.

Hart went on to share how Bieber, now older and more mature, has distanced himself from many of the influences that once led him astray. While Bieber has worked hard to rehabilitate his image, getting married to Hailey Baldwin and focusing on his faith and mental health, Hart’s revelations suggest that Diddy’s influence during those formative years left a lasting impact on the pop star.

What makes these revelations even more surprising is the fact that Diddy, known for his business acumen and musical achievements, had positioned himself as a mentor to numerous young artists over the years. Many saw his involvement with Bieber as a positive mentorship at the time, but Hart’s comments paint a much darker picture of how that relationship may have affected Bieber in negative ways.

Fans of both Bieber and Hart have been buzzing with reactions since the interview. Some have expressed disappointment in Diddy, while others are empathetic toward Bieber’s journey and the struggles he endured while navigating fame at such a young age. Social media has been flooded with discussions about how older, more experienced figures in the entertainment industry sometimes misuse their influence over young stars who are still figuring out their identities.

Diddy has yet to respond to Hart’s claims, and Justin Bieber has remained silent on the matter as well. Whether this new perspective will lead to more revelations about Bieber’s wild years remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Kevin Hart’s candid statements have reignited a conversation about the pressures young stars face in the entertainment world and the responsibility older, more established figures have in guiding them down the right path.

As Hart put it, “Justin’s doing great now, but those years… man, they were rough. And a lot of it, honestly, goes back to the people who were supposed to be looking out for him. Instead, they were living it up right alongside him, not thinking about the damage it was doing.”