News | Entertainment
16 Feb 2026 2:46
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Sean 'Diddy' Combs has returned his key to New York City

    The 'I'll Be Missing You' hitmaker - who grew up in Harlem - was honoured with the "symbol of civic recognition and gratitude reserved for individuals whose service to the public and the common good rises to the highest level of achievement" in September 2023 but he was asked to return the accolade after Mayor Eric Adams said a committee recommended "nullifying and rescinding" it in the wake of video footage from 2016 being released, in which the disgraced rapper physically assaulted then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura


    A letter seen by CNN saw the mayor dec lare he was "deeply disturbed" by the video.

    He wrote: "I strongly condemn these actions and stand in solidarity with all survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.

    The letter adds: "After internal deliberations, the Key to the City of New York committee recommended nullifying and rescinding Mr. Combs' key."

    According to city hall, the key was returned to the city on June 10.

    The move came shortly after the rapper had his honorary degree from Howard University revoked.

    A statement from the board read: "The Howard University Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to accept the return by Mr. Sean Combs of the honorary degree conferred upon him in 2014. This acceptance revokes all honours and privileges associated with the degree. Accordingly, the Board has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University.

    "Mr. Combs' behaviour as captured in a recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University's core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution's highest honor.

    "The University is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence."

    In addition, the establishment - which Diddy attended from 1987 to 1989 - will also terminate a 2016 gift agreement made with the 54-year-old rapper, disband a scholarship that was established in his name, return his $1 million contribution, and terminate a 2023 pledge agreement made with the Sean Combs Foundation.

    It noted: "No payments toward the $1 million pledge have been due or made by the Sean Combs Foundation as of this date, therefore no funds are due to be returned under the 2023 pledge agreement."

    After CNN published the video of Diddy attacking Cassie, he issued an apology for his "inexcusable" conduct via Instagram.

    He said: "It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that.

    "I was f***** up - I hit rock bottom - but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable."

    Diddy has been subjected to multiple lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct in recent months but has denied the allegations against him.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     15 Feb: Heather McComb will remember James Van Der Beek as being "innocent, kind and pure of heart"
     15 Feb: Margaret Qualley felt "overwhelmed" when she began her acting career
     15 Feb: Bunnie Xo has been wowed by Jelly Roll's 300-lb. weight loss
     15 Feb: Jesy Nelson no longer has "time" to make music
     15 Feb: Lena Dunham replaced her friends with a "posse" of cats after moving to London
     15 Feb: Camila Cabello has revealed "it's taken a year" for her hair to recover after she dyed it blonde
     15 Feb: Kylie Jenner has applauded her sister Kim Kardashian for "nailing" the new SKIMS cotton collection
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Middle distance runner Sam Ruthe has been unable to replicate his stunning mile earlier this month at another indoor event in North Carolina More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    BNZ bank is offering support to those affected by severe weather More...



     Today's News

    Rugby:
    Middle distance runner Sam Ruthe has been unable to replicate his stunning mile earlier this month at another indoor event in North Carolina 21:57

    Environment:
    NEMA is warning people in large swathes of the North Island to prepare for bad weather overnight 21:17

    International:
    Frog toxins used to poison Alexei Navalny the latest in long history of Russian chemical attacks 21:07

    Environment:
    Residents due to be hit by heavy rain and severe gales are being warned to act now 18:57

    Soccer:
    The Wellington Phoenix women's side have missed an opportunity to return to the top of the A-League ladder, with a 2-1 home loss to Central Coast 18:37

    Politics:
    Opposition draws battlelines on nuclear and capital gains tax changes 18:17

    Law and Order:
    Police say a post-mortem will be carried out in the coming days after a body washed up at Mahia, near Wairoa 18:07

    Rugby League:
    The Indigenous Women have come from 14-nil down to beat the Maori Women 20-14 in their pre-season All-Stars rugby league match in Hamilton 18:07

    Soccer:
    The Wellington Phoenix trail the Central Coast Mariners 2-1 at halftime of their women's A-League match in Porirua 17:27

    Cricket:
    Black Caps pace bowler Lockie Ferguson has departed the T20 World Cup camp on paternity leave 16:17


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd