What’s a ‘freak off’? Delving into the scandalous sex party allegations against Sean 'Diddy' Combs

Hollywood's reputation for extravagant parties and hidden lives is well-known, but the federal trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has uniquely seized public interest.

At the centre of the allegations are the so-called “freak off” parties, sex-fuelled events that prosecutors say were much more than private gatherings.

As the 55-year-old hip-hop producer faces charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution, the term “Freak Off” has gone from underground slang to a trending search term across social media and news platforms.

But what exactly is a “freak off”, and why does it matter?

A federal indictment filed in September 2024 and obtained by E! News, detailed in court during May 12 opening statements, alleges that Sean Combs organised and directed days-long, drug-fuelled sex parties referred to as "freak offs."

Prosecutors describe these events as elaborate and highly coordinated, more like a production than a party.

According to online reports, the parties allegedly included multiple male commercial sex workers, sometimes involved in extended sex acts while under the influence of drugs.

The indictment claims Combs not only arranged and directed the acts, but also often masturbated while watching and filming the events. 

NBC News reports that prosecutor Emily Johnson warned jurors that the evidence they would see would be graphic and disturbing, highlighting the exploitative nature of these events.

Prosecutors argue that these “freak offs” weren’t random or consensual gatherings. Instead, they were carefully planned events involving:

• Hotel bookings.
• Transportation arrangements.
• Post-event room cleaning.
• Access to large amounts of cash.
• Distribution of controlled substances.
• Use of IV fluids after the events to help participants “recover”.

The legal documents claim that Combs used drugs as a tool of control, handing out substances to keep the people involved “obedient and compliant”.

Most alarmingly, the indictment alleges Combs used force, threats of force, and coercion to get participants to engage in sex acts.

While the prosecution paints a dark picture of manipulation and abuse, the defence team claims the parties were consensual, and participants knew what they were signing up for.

The planner, who spoke to "The New York Post" on the condition of anonymity, described the “freak off” parties as decadently extravagant, with one event involving the installation of hundreds of mirrors on the walls and ceiling of a room at Combs’ mansion.

“Everywhere you looked, you’d see yourself reflected again and again,” the planner explained. “You can imagine what it would look like when people are naked and having sex on the floor, on the couches, wherever.”

These parties, which were reportedly designed to be both mainstream social events and later transformed into orgies, cost an astounding $500,000 each. The planner revealed that the cost covered a range of luxurious offerings, from high-end food and expensive alcohol to acrobats, dancers, and sometimes even live animals.

“It was definitely a vibe he wanted to put out there, that everywhere you looked, there would be sex happening. It was wall-to-wall debauchery,” the planner recalled.

The case is significant not just because it involves a well-known celebrity, but because it highlights broader conversations around consent, abuse of power, and sexual exploitation in entertainment spaces.

If proven true, the allegations against Combs could serve as another major chapter in the #MeToo era, especially as it relates to male sex workers and LGBTQ+ exploitation, alleged minor victims, and topics that are less frequently discussed.

The term “freak off” has now become shorthand for what prosecutors call a system of exploitation disguised as luxury and indulgence, one allegedly built on secrecy, money, and control.

Despite the growing list of shocking claims, Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His legal team maintains that the sex was consensual and that the indictment misrepresents his lifestyle and private choices.

Ongoing with new witnesses and evidence, the trial is anticipated to garner increased attention.