Kevin Hart’s role as host at the 2025 BET Awards was more than just another night of comedy; it also worked as a surprisingly sharp take on his past connection with Sean “Diddy” Combs and the famously over-the-top and controversial after-parties linked to Combs. Hart, who is known for his bold humor, used the event to talk lightly but effectively about his previous involvement with Combs’ parties, a topic that has recently come back into public discussion.
As found by Page Six, the comedian’s opening speech included direct jokes about what these after-parties were like, making the audience laugh while also hinting at the more troubling aspects that have come to light in recent months. His choice to host the BET Awards on a Monday, instead of the usual Sunday, was framed as a purposeful decision to limit the wild celebrations that often happened after such events. The message was clear: Hart was intentionally trying to set a different, less reckless tone.
A video from 2010 that has recently resurfaced gives a look at the kind of parties Hart used to attend. The clip shows a luxurious hotel party at the London Hotel in New York City thrown by Combs. Hart can be seen clearly, along with several other big-name celebrities, including Usher, Fabolous, Swizz Beatz, and members of Diddy’s Dirty Money. The video captures a scene full of alcohol and many women wearing very little clothing, painting a picture of a party atmosphere that was much wilder than the more controlled vibe Hart seemed to be encouraging at the BET Awards.
Kevin Hart finally speaks on Diddy parties
The nature of these parties, described by many as filled with sex and drugs, has been under heavy scrutiny lately. Reports have included claims of extreme use of baby oil, adding to the image of these events as excessively indulgent and possibly out of control. He said, “shutting down after-parties. Take your asses home after this; that’s why I did this on a Monday. People gotta go to work tomorrow… That’s where s–t gets slippery, at them goddamn afterparties… We’re learning a lot about people, ain’t we?”
Hart’s past responses to questions about these parties have been somewhat evasive. When approached by paparazzi last year after the 2010 video resurfaced, he repeatedly avoided answering questions about what really happened at those gatherings. His replies back then were much more careful and less direct than the humorous digs he made during his BET Awards monologue.
At this point, even Jay Z is trying to separate himself from Diddy, but it seems like Hart has to make fun to try and avoid his time with Diddy. We’ll see how it goes, but it’s doubtful anything will pop up to take attention away from this case, Chris Brown’s own issues only stayed relevant for a short time thanks to the Diddy case.
Combs is currently on trial for serious charges, including sex trafficking, racketeering, and arranging transportation for prostitution. The case has drawn a lot of media attention, partly because of the many damaging testimonies from people who attended Combs’ parties, often called “Freak-Offs.” One of the witnesses was Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, whose testimony included disturbing claims about what went on at these events.
Published: Jun 10, 2025 12:50 pm