Sean “Diddy” Combs has been ordered to pay $477,700.50 in attorneys’ fees to NBCUniversal after a New York judge dismissed his defamation lawsuit over the documentary Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy.

Combs had sued NBCUniversal, Peacock TV and Ample Entertainment for $100 million, accusing the companies of defaming him through the 2025 documentary. He argued that the film promoted false claims about his alleged involvement in the deaths of people including Kim Porter and The Notorious B.I.G., as well as other allegations against him.

In April 2026, however, Judge Phaedra F. Perry-Bond dismissed Combs’ amended complaint. The court found that the documentary presented multiple perspectives, included Combs’ denials and his attorneys’ responses, and provided context surrounding controversial claims made by interviewees. The judge concluded that NBCUniversal had not acted with the level of “gross irresponsibility” required for Combs’ defamation claim to proceed.

Justia Law

Following the dismissal, NBCUniversal sought reimbursement for its legal expenses. Its attorneys initially requested approximately $990,292. The judge ultimately awarded $477,700.50, cutting more than $512,000 from the requested amount after finding that portions of the legal work and hours billed were excessive or unreasonable.

The ruling means Combs will pay less than half of the amount NBCUniversal originally sought, although the final bill remains a significant financial penalty following the failed lawsuit.

The development comes as Combs continues to face multiple legal battles. He is also serving a federal prison sentence after being convicted on prostitution-related charges, while appealing his sentence and continuing to deny wrongdoing in other civil cases.

In short, Diddy’s $100 million lawsuit against NBCUniversal failed, and the court has now ordered him to cover about $478,000 of the company’s legal costs.