Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ life has taken a strange turn after his recent arrest, with the rapper now behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York on charges of human trafficking, which he vehemently denies.
At 54, Diddy finds himself in a tough spot, but all seven of his children are standing by him as he faces trial. Yet, there’s an odd twist involving his “adopted daughter,” Ava Baroni, that has resurfaced from a video four years prior.
In a 2020 Instagram Live, Diddy claimed to have “adopted” Ava, stating his desire for her to have a “Black parent.” But insiders are now saying that the clip was just a skit and that Diddy never legally adopted the girl featured.
In the controversial video, Diddy is seen planting a kiss on Ava’s cheek and declaring he “adopted her” with her mother’s consent. He prompted her to introduce herself, and she responds with “Ava.” When asked for her last name, she says “Ava Baroni” before Diddy adds: “Ava Baroni-Combs,” reports the Mirror.
Ava goes on to claim in the video that she was “on the streets” until “Papa Combs decided that he was going to be a caring man.” Diddy then announced: “Yes, it’s breaking news. Diddy adopted a white child,” and urged her to share the story of her “adoption.”
“I want you to tell them the story of how I adopted you. You still have beautiful parents, but you’re my child also. Please, tell the story,” Diddy insisted.
Giggling with Diddy’s son, Quincy Brown, in the background, Ava recounted: “So, I was on the streets, and then Papa Combs decided that he would like to be a caring man. So then he saw me and decided to pick me up and said to come inside and play with his kids.”
“Ava, that’s a little borderline suspect,” the Bad Boys CEO cautioned. “I adopted you like Madonna adopted kids, and everybody else adopted kids, Charlize Theron, Sandra Bullock. I adopted you because I felt that you could enjoy having a Black parent to take care of you and help you out. So just clarify it, cause it’s crazy out here online.”
Urging Ava to emphasize her mother’s consent, he added: “You play with the kids, and I got permission from your mother, say all of that.”
Ava then clarified, sharing her long-standing bond with his family. “Well, I met Jessie and D’Lila when I was six months old. And then we basically are sisters,” she said. Diddy shares twin daughters, Jessie and D’Lila, with late ex Kim Porter.
Despite the familial interaction, TMZ reported on Monday that Diddy has not legally adopted Ava, contradicting the fond narrative. According to the outlet, Ava did grow up alongside the twins due to her parents’ friendship with Kim, but has been raised by her biological parents.
The report also highlights that while Ava continues to be close with D’Lila and Jessie, her interactions with Diddy have not been parental, and present indications suggest she and her family have since maintained a distance from him.