LeBron James raises eyebrows after being named co-chair of Met Gala despite his ties to Diddy

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The announcement that NBA superstar LeBron James would be named honorary chair of the Met Gala is not sitting well with some. The Metropolitan Museum of Art made this official on Wednesday, but many in New York’s elite circles are not happy.

Why? It all circles back to LeBron's long-standing ties with none other than Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Diddy and James LeBron's relationship 

Diddy is facing some serious charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution. His arrest landed him in federal custody, and these serious accusations have many questioning whether anyone with ties to the disgraced rapper should be given such a prestigious spotlight at The Met Gala, the New York Post reported.

Derrick Parker — the “Hip Hop Cop” known for his two-decade career consulting on rap-related crimes — dropped a few bombshells during an interview with NewsNation’s Paula Froelich.

Parker suggested that LeBron — along with other high-profile celebrities like Chris Brown and Kevin Hart — might have attended Diddy’s infamous “Freak Off” parties. And that’s where things start to get messy for the NBA legend's reputation.

As if the rumors weren’t enough, a video from four years ago resurfaced showing a younger LeBron saying, “Ain’t no party like a Diddy party,” during an Instagram Live chat. Diddy responded with a spirited, “Yeah that’s what’s up!” It’s one of those moments that’s coming back to haunt LeBron.

In another old video making the rounds, LeBron and Diddy are seen dancing and singing together at a dinner party grooving to a Migos track. While it might have seemed like just another lighthearted moment between friends back then, it now looks a lot different in light of Diddy’s current predicament.

Internet slams LeBron James

"Lebron seems to be immune from his association with Diddy even after praising Diddy parties on video," one posted on X.

"They all part of it. Not a shocker," another alleged.

"Let me guess… he’ll be wearing a dress," someone else quipped.

LeBron hasn’t publicly addressed the controversy swirling around his association with Diddy. However, he has subtly distanced himself from the rapper - reportedly unfollowing him on social media back in May when rumors about Diddy’s legal troubles began mounting, per the US Sun.

LeBron is known for being a family man — married to his high school sweetheart and a dad of three — and might be hoping that staying quiet will help the issue fade. But with the Met Gala just around the corner and Diddy's trial date coincidentally set for the same day, things are getting awkward.

Met Gala coincides with Diddy’s trial this year

This year's Met Gala — themed "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" — is set for the first Monday in May. LeBron will share the honorary chair spotlight with co-chairs like Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams. Of course, Anna Wintour — Vogue’s editor-in-chief and a key figure in the Gala’s planning — will be there as always.

Meanwhile, Diddy’s life has taken a very different turn. The rapper, who once strutted into Met Galas wearing designer duds, is now wearing tan jailhouse attire and ankle shackles in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. He has been behind bars since September 17, after a judge denied his bail request for the third time.

The court set his trial date for May 5, which ironically coincides with the Met Gala.

Diddy might be in a tough spot, but he still managed to bring flair to his latest court appearance on Thursday. The rapper appeared relaxed during the 45-minute hearing, even though he’s facing some serious allegations. His family took up two rows in the courtroom, including six of his seven children and his mother Janice Combs.

At one point, Diddy blew a kiss to his mother as he was led out of the courtroom. “I love you. I love you,” he told her. Janice notably showed up to court in a true Diddy-style ensemble: a mini skirt, fishnet stockings, an animal print jacket, and bedazzled sunglasses.

Diddy is due back in court on December 18, Page Six reported.