Who is Gene Deal? Diddy's ex-bodyguard says rapper almost punched Will Smith for getting too close to ex-GF Jennifer Lopez
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Celebrity bodyguards often hold a treasure trove of exclusive information about their high-profile clients, and Gene Deal, who was once tasked with safeguarding Diddy, is no exception.
During an episode of the 'Art of Dialogue' podcast, Deal shared details about an incident where Diddy was seemingly on the brink of a physical altercation with Will Smith due to Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, making advances on Diddy's ex-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez.
Diddy and Jennifer Lopez were a powerhouse couple in the late '90s and early 2000s. It was during this time that Diddy took offense to the alleged advances made by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, who seemed interested in wooing Jennifer Lopez.
What exactly happened?
The incident, as described by Gene Deal, occurred at a birthday party, thought to have been hosted by Matt Damon for Ben Affleck, held at the Four Seasons.
Tensions began to simmer at the event, which included stars like Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Diddy, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith.
As the party unfolded, Diddy, also known as Sean Combs, noticed something he found uncomfortable. He made his concerns clear to Gene Deal, his former bodyguard, with a coded message.
According to Deal, Diddy signaled to him by crossing his arms in a distinctive manner. "Yo, I think Will and Jada are trying to scoop up Jennifer," Diddy whispered to Deal. "I want you to stay close 'cause I'ma snuff him."
Deal's response to the situation was a mix of humor and pragmatism. He confessed to believing that Will Smith would have the upper hand in a physical altercation, given his formidable physical condition at the time.
Still, Deal acknowledged that Diddy was no pushover and could hold his own in a fight.
Instead of directly intervening, Deal chose to position himself at a strategic distance, ensuring that if Diddy decided to make a move, Will Smith would have time to retaliate with a couple of punches. "I could move slow enough that Will could probably get two or three punches back in," Deal noted, chuckling.
The exact date of this incident remains unspecified, but it falls within the period of Diddy and Jennifer Lopez's romance, which spanned from late 1999 to early 2001.
Diddy's role as peacemaker at the Oscars
Interestingly, years later, Diddy found himself acting as a peacemaker during the 2022 Oscars when Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock after a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.
Diddy reportedly mediated between the two parties to resolve the situation amicably, dispelling any notion that the beef between them lingered.
Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, and Diddy have each evolved in their careers and personal lives since these incidents, creating a fascinating tapestry of Hollywood history.
In a recent interview with Today, Jada Pinkett Smith disclosed that she and Will Smith have been privately separated since 2016, despite not being legally divorced.
Jada clarified that despite public speculation, their marriage was not an open one, even though her involvement with R&B singer August Alsina had prompted such rumors.
"I think where that got confusing is that as time went on, there were different stages in my marriage where Will and I decided we were not together," she explained.