“Love is something that I live for,” declared the hip-hop mogul P Diddy when I plucked up the courage to ask about his unconventional private life. “Love is something that I need. But I haven’t been able to be successful at it.
” The mood inside the luxury caravan where I was attempting to interview the 41-year-old father of six (by three different women) was in the process of becoming very chilly indeed. “Is that why,” I continued, “you’ve never decided to settle down and get married?” Before meeting Diddy (real name Sean Combs), I’d been told three things. First: he’ll arrive late.
Second: there will be an enormous entourage. Third: despite being a household name, Diddy hates – absolutely hates! – talking about anything involving his domestic arrangements. All three turned out to be 100 per cent true.
“Look”, Diddy replied, leaning forward from a white leather sofa. “In a perfect world, sure, things would have worked out that way. “I would have married one of the women that I’ve had children with.
“But it didn’t work out that way. Right now, I don’t have a desire to get married, or a desire not to get married. So far, it just didn’t happen for me.
“For some people, it does happen. For others, it just doesn’t happen. It’s something I leave in God’s hands.
OK?” With that, the line of conversation was politely, but firmly, closed down and an American PR handler said it was time for me to ask a few questions about one of hi.