LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Selena Gomez made an embarrassing slip during her speech at the 2nd Annual Rare Impact Fund benefit in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, October 24, erroneously introducing Didi Hirsch’s director as “Diddy” (Sean “Diddy” Combs).
The audience chuckled when she said, “Diddy,” and the former Disney Channel star immediately corrected herself, saying, “I really am sorry,” in an instant apology to the crowd, as reported by TMZ.
Selena Gomez’s ‘Diddy’ gaffe during charity event speech
Mentioning the disgraced music mogul appears to have become a huge social taboo in Hollywood and the music industry following his arrest.
During her remarks at the Los Angeles charity event, Selena Gomez acknowledged other charities, such as Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services (DHMS), which works to prevent youth suicide.
According to a video obtained by TMZ, the 32-year-old began, “They are committed to youth mental health, from suicide prevention training in schools to their drop-in center here in LA, and their Teen Line lifeline. I am very honored to be working with such incredible change-makers.”
While introducing the executive director of DHMS to the stage, Gomez mispronounced “Didi,” which is pronounced “dee-dee” as “Diddy.” “So please join me in welcoming executive director Diddy…,” said the ‘Only Murders in the Building’ star.
The audience erupted in laughter as soon as the singer realized her mistake, making the moment humorous. With an uneasy smile, she corrected herself right away, saying, “Didi Hirsch,” and added, “I really am sorry.”
She then called another DHMS executive, Lyn Morris, to the stage, where they hugged each other and carried on with the speech, ignoring the Diddy slip.
#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
Gomez’s startling blunder comes as Diddy awaits trial at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The music mogul was charged with sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy after his September 16 arrest.
The Bad Boy Records founder has been linked to Gomez’s ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber since the two used to party together years ago, as per Daily Mail. Diddy also acted as a mentor to the ‘Baby’ hitmaker.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was arrested on September 16 in Manhattan (Getty Images)
Internet users react to Selena Gomez’s ‘Diddy’ slip
Netizens immediately took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their thoughts over Selena Gomez’s embarrassing Diddy gaffe.
One defended her, writing, “It was actually this, Diddi Hirsch mental services that she’s referring to, they’re donating to the charity,” while another added, “Diddy is in every celebrity’s mind.”
“Quite redic. She’s doing a charity event and is catching heat for mispronouncing a name. She’s literally trying to ‘do good’. Why don’t we focus on that?” expressed a person.
It was actually this, Diddi Hirsch mental services that she’s referring to, they’re donating to the charity.
— ♥️💁♀️ (@farhanaa2) October 25, 2024
Diddy is in every celebrity’s mind.
— RedWhiteAndBluebonnents (@TexasTacos123) October 25, 2024
Quite redic. She’s doing a charity event and is catching heat for mispronouncing a name. She’s literally trying to “do good”. Why don’t we focus on that?
— Chase (@CMBlaze) October 25, 2024
Others took to the comments section of an Instagram post to support Gomez as one wrote, “I don’t think she had Diddy on her mind that’s just what came out,” and another person added, “She played that cool.” One more noted, “She was still classy.”
A Facebook user wrote, “No she didn’t bring up Diddy.. she mispronounced Dee-Dee.. had a slip.. big difference.” One echoed, “It’s not that serious the messiness. She human, stop the madness….”
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.