Selena Gomez Apologizes for Mistakenly Calling Didi Hirsch Director ‘Diddy’ at Charity Event
3 min readMonica Schipper/Getty Images
At a recent charity event in Los Angeles, Selena Gomez found herself in an awkward situation after a verbal mix-up involving Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services and rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. While addressing an audience at her Rare Impact Fund Benefit on October 24, Gomez accidentally introduced the executive director of Didi Hirsch as “Diddy,” unintentionally invoking the name of the embattled rapper. The incident quickly turned into a humorous moment, leaving Gomez mortified but quick to laugh along with the crowd.
Selena Gomez, who attended the event at NYA Studios West dressed in an elegant black gown, was celebrating her partnership with Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services (DHMS), which works to support mental health resources and combat youth suicide. “I am very honored to be working with such incredible change-makers,” the Only Murders in the Building star said before the blunder. When introducing the executive director, however, Gomez slipped up, saying, “So please join me in welcoming executive director Diddy—” only to quickly correct herself, adding, “Diddy, sorry!” The crowd immediately erupted in laughter, and an audience member humorously called out, “Not Diddy!” helping to diffuse the situation.
#SelenaGomez made a tiny #Diddy-related slip during a speech at her L.A. charity event Thursday night 😱 Read the full #exclusive: https://t.co/twPeRl8PRO pic.twitter.com/4EpQ9eWIVJ
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 25, 2024
Trying to make light of the moment, Selena Gomez smiled awkwardly and apologized, “I really am sorry,” before welcoming executive director Lyn Morris to the stage. Despite her initial embarrassment, Gomez’s misstep was met with warmth and understanding, as the audience seemed to enjoy the light-hearted nature of the moment.
Social media users reacted quickly, with one post commenting, “Diddy is everywhere,” accompanied by laughing emojis, while another remarked, “Oh my god, she looks mortified.” The video of Gomez’s onstage blunder quickly circulated online, with fans both sympathizing with and celebrating her quick recovery.
#SelenaGomez accidentally brings up #Diddy during a charity event!👀Harvey and Charles break down the slip-up on #TMZLive pic.twitter.com/Gs5ns0nRuz
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 25, 2024
Meanwhile, the actual “Diddy,” rapper Sean Combs, is embroiled in significant legal challenges. He is currently held in a Brooklyn detention facility on charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, following allegations of misconduct at exclusive parties where women reportedly endured coercion. His legal team has entered a not-guilty plea, yet six more lawsuits were recently filed against him, and plaintiffs’ attorney Tony Bubzee has hinted that over a hundred cases are yet to be heard.
Diddy’s troubles are further complicated by resurfacing footage of him spending time with a teenage Justin Bieber, once romantically linked to Gomez. Bieber has remained silent on Combs’ situation, although the re-emergence of the footage has fueled online chatter. Despite Diddy’s high-profile legal troubles, Gomez’s humorous slip at the charity event has overshadowed the somber details, illustrating that even awkward public moments can provide some levity amid serious situations.
Ultimately, Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund Benefit continued successfully, highlighting the importance of youth mental health support. With her grace and quick wit, Gomez managed to handle a small gaffe in a big way, turning an accidental name-drop into a lighthearted memory for everyone present.