Mansion Featured in Diddy’s Music Video Now Overrun by Squatters, With “Diddy Was Here” Painted on the Roof
The once luxurious mansion at 7571 Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills, where Sean “Diddy” Combs filmed his 2007 music video for “Last Night” featuring Keyshia Cole, has now fallen into severe disrepair. Squatters and taggers have overrun the property, leaving their mark not only on the walls but even on the roof, where the words “Diddy’s Was Here” are now boldly painted. This once glamorous estate, used by Combs as the backdrop for several iconic scenes, is now an eyesore for the neighbors.
Neighborhood Safety Concerns Over the Abandoned Mansion
The home’s current condition has become a headache for those living nearby. Graffiti art and tags cover the once-pristine exterior walls, and broken windows reveal the ravages of time and neglect. One local resident, Jack, spoke to KABC about the mansion’s troubled history. “I think some influencers have lived here over the years. It’s a really cool house. It’s big,” Jack said. However, with its abandonment, the home has become a magnet for unwanted visitors. “The longer it sits like this, more people are going to come and keep doing what they’re doing,” he added. Jack believes security could help mitigate the issue, suggesting, “The neighborhood, this house specifically, could use a security guard. Two guards … not that expensive. Let’s keep the neighborhood safe.”
John Powers Middleton’s Ownership and Legal Troubles
The estate, owned by John Powers Middleton since 2012, has been the subject of abatement orders from the city of Los Angeles due to its deteriorating condition. Middleton, son of businessman and Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton, was issued an order in 2022 to build a fence and secure the property. When he failed to comply, the city erected a fence themselves. Despite this, squatters and taggers have continued to find their way onto the property.
Squatters and Vandalism Plague the Neighborhood
The mansion’s decline has brought safety concerns to the forefront for neighbors. One homeowner was reportedly attacked by a vagrant with a steel rebar and beer bottle, adding to the growing fears about the area’s safety. Some residents have also noticed that taggers are now targeting other properties in the vicinity.
Middleton’s Default on Taxes and the Declining Condition of the Mansion
With Middleton having defaulted on property taxes for several years and a lien placed on the home, the once grand estate continues to spiral into decay. Its value, still estimated at $6.53 million, seems at odds with the condition it’s in. Most of the windows have been shattered, and graffiti now covers not just the walls but the roof of the home.
LAPD and Private Security Attempts to Secure the Property
In a desperate attempt to keep squatters and vandals at bay, private security has been stationed at the property 24/7. Despite this, the Los Angeles Police Department was called to the property six times in September, most recently removing ten individuals and arresting one on an outstanding warrant.
Once Glamorous Mansion Now a Symbol of Neglect and Decay
The mansion, once a beacon of Hollywood opulence, now stands as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change. While its glamorous past is tied to icons like Diddy and Mary J. Blige, its present is marred by neglect, crime, and city intervention. The question remains: will this piece of Hollywood history be restored, or will it continue to decay under the weight of its troubled ownership?
