BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 25: (L-R) Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Usher attend the Pre-GRAMMY Gala and GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Sean “Diddy” Combs on January 25, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

During a recent interview, Usher shared his appreciation for Diddy and his legacy. While the singer received major backlash for his comments, one person in particular was happy to hear them: Diddy. The controversial mogul offered a statement via his rep, Juda Engelmayer, to TMZ, saying, “I’ve always had love and respect for Usher.” He also noted that he appreciated Usher’s kind words and “everything he’s achieved” throughout his career.

The singer and Diddy first crossed paths in 1994 when he was just 14 years old. The pair got so close that Usher would eventually move in with the Bad Boy founder. Diddy was also the executive producer for Usher’s self-titled debut album. Last week, Usher sat down with Jabari Young for Forbes’ The Enterprise Zone, where he expressed his thoughts on Diddy’s controversial legacy. According to him, “certain people” faced persecution, but haven’t been recognized for their “greatness.”

“I don’t have anything negative to say about Sean Combs,” Usher Says

Usher noted that he has nothing “negative” to say about Diddy—who is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence at Fort Dix for violating the Mann Act—and says his experience isn’t what the world has seen. “I think certain people are prosecuted and maybe not recognized for the greatness that they offer. I don’t have anything negative to say about Sean Combs. My experience was not what the world has seen and how he’s been, you know, misrepresented.”

When The Neighboorhood Talk reposted the interview, the comment section was flooded with responses (the majority of them not on Usher’s side), with many people accusing the singer of trying to absolve Diddy for his actions. “Misrepresented? I respect that you had your own experience, but don’t say he was misrepresented,” one person commented. Another added, “All of a sudden everyone has something sweet to say about him,” while a third wrote, “The thing that bothers me about ppl who speak in support of him is the fact that they know he hurt ppl, regardless of THEIR experience with him, he has DEFINITELY hurt others. So what’s the reason to speak in support of him.”