Diddy allegedly almost got into a fight with Will Smith over Jennifer Lopez – VIBE.com

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former bodyguard says the mogul once threatened to attack Will Smith because he believed Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith made sexual advances toward his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez.

Gene Deal, former member of Bad Boy Records security, recently appeared on The Art of Dialogue YouTube channel and recalled an encounter that took place when Diddy was dating Lopez before their breakup in 2001.

“We were at a birthday party that I think Matt Damon was throwing for Ben Affleck,” Deal began. “It was just a small meeting at the Four Seasons. Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Puff, Will Smith and Jada were sitting on (one) side of the room.”

The Harlem rep says he noticed Diddy seemed upset, prompting him to approach the rapper, who he says told him he felt the Smiths were trying to be friends with J.Lo. Deal adds that the 53-year-old was about to hit Will Smith at the time and asked him to stay nearby in case he needed protection.

“(Puff) stood up. And when he stood up, he went and put his hands in a certain way (crossing them). I walk up to him and he tells me, “Hey, I think Will and Jada are trying to get Jennifer.” I want you to stay close because I’m going to finish him off.” He continued, adding: “It was funny. He thought Jada and Will were too persistent in flirting with Jennifer.”

Combs and Lopez dated on and off from 1999 until early 2001, when the couple split amid tensions over Combs’s looming trial on gun and bribery charges stemming from the December 1999 New York Club shooting incident. .

The hitmaker was ultimately acquitted of all charges, while fellow artist Jamal “Shine” Barrow received a 10-year prison sentence for his role in the shooting. Lopez, who was present with Combs the night of the shooting, later met and married Ben Affleck.

Check out Gene Deal’s offerings The Art of Dialogue interview below.