Fact Check: Did Diddy request to host the Oscars via livestream from prison but was denied?

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Comedian Conan O'Brien made a return as host of the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, marking his second consecutive year at the ceremony after a highly praised debut in 2025.

He delivered a lively opening monologue packed with sharp roasts and declared himself the 'last human host' amid jokes about AI taking over next year. His cold open set a high-energy tone.

Following the event, a rumor circulated on X claiming that disgraced rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs had requested to host the Oscars via livestream from prison but had been denied. But what is the truth behind this rumor? Let us find out below.

Claim: Diddy requested to host the Oscars via livestream from prison

An X post by @HoopsCrave claimed on Monday, March 16, "Diddy requested to host the Oscars via livestream from prison but was denied."

The viral post, which contained an image of Diddy, garnered more than 14,000 views, and several others reacted to it at the time of filing this story.

Interestingly, critics largely hailed Conan O'Brien's hosting as even funnier and more engaging than his first outing, as some outlets called him the potential 'forever host' or 'King of the Oscars' for his perfect blend of self-deprecating wit, jabs, and crowd-pleasing jokes.

The Oscars 2026 featured emotional speeches, tributes, and buzz over 'In Memoriam' omissions. The event was a lively, cinephile-friendly show that celebrated bold filmmaking amid streaming changes.

Meanwhile, clips of Conan's monologue, cold open, and winner highlights have gone viral across social media platforms, garnering millions of views in just a day.

Fact Check: False, the post originated as satire

The claim made in the online post is false, as the post originated as a satire from the @HoopsCrave X account, which describes itself as a parody account.

Moreover, no credible news outlet, official statement, or report anywhere mentions Diddy ever requesting to host the Academy Awards from prison. 

Meanwhile, Diddy is currently serving a 50-month federal prison sentence at FCI Fort Dix following his 2025 conviction. His current projected release date is April 25, 2028.

Furthermore, the attached image in the post is just a generic recent photograph of Diddy, nothing from any 'news article' or official document. The post suggests that it is clearly designed for clicks/engagement rather than reporting facts. Several replies to the tweet already called it out as false.