<p id=”par-1_61″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/sean-diddy-combs/”>Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs</a>’ controversies have drawn attention to almost everyone he’s been associated with, from Cassie <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/jennifer-lopez-abruptly-leaves-event-fan-asks-questions-diddy.html/”>to Jennifer Lopez</a>. Even his former <em>Making the Band</em> proteges have been getting extra attention thanks to the music mogul’s alleged crimes. However, there’s one band who’s also been negatively affected by Diddy. Even though they’ve never had a relationship with the CEO at all.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-how-sean-diddy-combs-scandals-affected-o-town”>How Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ scandals affected O-Town</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Boy-band-sean-diddy-combs.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Sean Diddy Combs performing at the 2022 Billboard awards.” class=”wp-image-3763949″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Sean Diddy Combs | Amy Sussman/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-2_94″>Before Diddy took over the <em>Making the Band</em> brand, the original version of the show aired on ABC in the year 2000. It focused on another music mogul, Lou Pearlman, who went on a nationwide search to discover the next popular boy band. His quest led him to O-Town, who enjoyed moderate success in the music industry. According to <a href=”https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/lopez-bows-at-no-1-o-town-dream-debut-high5-80647/”>Billboard</a>, their first record, named after their band, debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 back in 2001. However, the group would experience a few ups and downs after their debut, even temporarily disbanding.</p>
<p id=”par-3_60″>Nowadays, O-Town faces another obstacle to their success. Because of their association with <em>Making the Band</em>, they’ve had trouble getting work thanks to how closely the reality series is tied to Diddy. O-Town headlined the series for three seasons before <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/sean-diddy-combs-regretted-exposing-reality-tv-shows.html/”>Diddy started hosting the reality TV show</a>. Still, potential music bookers were afraid customers might connect O-Town to Diddy, anyway.</p>
<p id=”par-4_55″>“The corporate events O-Town does tend to be the strongest offers for the group,” the band’s agent, Matt Rafal, told <a href=”https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/o-town-making-the-band-diddy-1236107176/”>The Hollywood Reporter</a>. “The offer was pulled due to the perception of the group being attached to Diddy. We made it clear O-Town’s <em>Making the Band</em> had no association with Diddy, but the company worried guests may be confused.”</p>
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<iframe title=”O-Town – Making The Band” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/NwdJ9vXAYiE?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p id=”par-5_22″>One of the group’s members, Jacob Underwood, added that it didn’t help their pictures were posted alongside Diddy’s, further tying them together.</p>
<p id=”par-6_56″>“Of all the bands in Making the Band, we’re the only one not tied to him,” Underwood said. “The more people confuse us with a Diddy band and post our pictures with his story, the more it goes against us. We make a living touring and can’t afford to have [bookers] Googling us to find the latest Diddy clickbait.”</p>
<p id=”par-7_39″>Another band member, Erik-Michael Estrada, felt the <em>Making the Band</em> series did its legacy a disservice by focusing too much on Diddy. Instead, he felt they should’ve focused more on the talented groups that emerged from the television series.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-o-town-was-interested-in-working-with-sean-diddy-combs-years-before-his-controversies”>O-Town was interested in working with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs years before his controversies</h2>
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<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”O-Town Reacts to Their Old Interviews & Teases New Music | MTV News” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/tpbYv0wtSRw?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p id=”par-8_57″>A couple of years before <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/who-filed-the-first-civil-lawsuit-against-sean-diddy-combs.html/”>Cassie filed her lawsuit against him</a>, O-Town wasn’t opposed to collaborating with Diddy on a project. Diddy revealed over social media that he was considering reviving <em>Making the Band</em> . Speaking with <a href=”https://www.tmz.com/watch/072219-o-town-1-4596043-0-0t4vbl1h/”>TMZ</a>, O-Town shared they wouldn’t have minded working with Diddy on the project and mentoring the new generation of artists.</p>
<p id=”par-9_44″><em>“</em>I think, at this point in our career, we’re all about paying it forward. We had a bunch of mentors when we were coming up. We would love to help young people figure things out. If Diddy wants us, holler at us,” Estrada said.</p>
<p id=”par-10_26″>His other bandmates co-signed his offer. Band member Dan Miller also explained what he thought made Diddy’s version of <em>Making the Band </em>so popular among viewers.</p>
<p id=”par-11_15″>“It’s good television, Miller said. “People want to root for good people and talented people.”</p>
<p id=”par-12_22″>Given how Diddy’s scandals have affected the band’s livelihood, however, it’s a good thing the music mogul didn’t give them that call.</p>