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As embattled rapper and entertainment mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs faces a slew of abuse allegations, calls for his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to be removed have grown considerably.
But who has the power to decide if it is to be removed, and who would actually remove it?
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has repeatedly stated that they can nominate, manufacture and install stars on the Walk of Fame in addition to being able to conduct star induction ceremonies.
However, they have also stated that they do not have the authority to remove anyone’s star; a spokesperson for the Chamber of Commerce told TMZ that they have not discussed removing Diddy’s star and emphasized their lack of ability to do so.
Combs, who is facing at least seven civil lawsuits alleging misconduct in addition to a federal investigation, received his star in 2008.
Calls to remove his star have grown considerably since the release of shocking surveillance footage that depicted Diddy violently assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in 2016. Diddy later apologized for the incident, claiming he had “hit rock bottom” at the time of the assault, but many criticized the apology, saying it had “zero value” to Ventura and other victims.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson, President of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, released a statement on Friday asking the Chamber to publicly renounce the star, which they say was awarded with much fanfare to the “It’s All About The Benjamins” rapper over 15 years ago.
“Diddy’s heinous violence against women horribly mocks that praise and places an ugly taint on his Walk of Fame star,” Hutchinson’s statement read. “The Chamber can undo the damage to its reputation and name with a public repudiation of Diddy and the star in his and the Chamber’s name and sponsorship.”
Other controversial figures with Walk of Fame stars, such as Bill Cosby and Donald Trump, have not had theirs removed despite calls for the Chamber to do so.
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