Reginald VelJohnson Addresses False Diddy Party Rumor, Reacts to Dave Chappelle’s SNL Joke

Reginald VelJohnson, loved by many, is famous for his roles as Carl Winslow on Family Matters and Sergeant. The bizarre and fabricated rumor following Al Powell, who plays John in the Die Hard franchise, is being cleared up by him.

The rumor, which falsely claimed that VelJohnson attended one of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ infamous parties, resurfaced unexpectedly during Dave Chappelle’s recent monologue on Saturday Night Live. VelJohnson likes Chappelle’s comedic take, but he is still puzzled about the origins and persistence of the story.

A rumor that VelJohnson was present at one of Diddy’s ‘freak-off’ parties was first reported on social media in 2023.

It was reported that illegal activities like drug use, sexual assault, and sex trafficking took place. VelJohnson’s frustration stems from the unfounded claim continuing to circulate despite his initial dismissal of the story as false.

“That stuff that came out is so false, but I have to hear it every now and then,” VelJohnson told The Hollywood Reporter. “I have no idea why they started that. I don’t know why, and it will never go away. I never even met the man. I have no idea what they’re talking about.”

The rumor unexpectedly changed when Dave Chappelle mentioned it in his SNL monologue on November 11, 2023. Chappelle, well-known for his sharp wit and boundary-pushing humor, joked about the fabricated story, resulting in even more absurd for an already outlandish tale.

In his speech, Chappelle remarked, “I saw one thing on the internet, so I’m not sure that it’s true — probably doubt it’s true. But I saw it, some guy who said he knew Puffy [and] was like, ‘Yeah, man, I was at the freak-off one time, and Puff was in there with Carl Winslow, the dad from Family Matters. He was smashing, and I was like, Puff, what are you doing? And he was like, Yeah, feels good to make another man do your bidding.'” Chappelle then added, “And I was like, ‘Carl Winslow from Family Matters was there, and I wasn’t invited? It’s worse than I thought.'”

VelJohnson, who didn’t realize Chappelle would refer to him, readily accepted the comedian’s jokes.

“It was kinda nice to see him talk about me,” VelJohnson said graciously. “I just wish he was talking about something a little bit better than that stupid lie with Diddy. But he made it funny, and I appreciate that. It made me look good.”

Even though it’s funny, VelJohnson is still puzzled by the rumor’s origins and its staying power. He stressed that he has never met Diddy and has no connection to the music mogul, who is currently facing serious legal problems. Diddy was incarcerated in September 2023 and is currently facing charges of federal sex trafficking and racketeering. He has claimed innocence and denied all accusations.

The rumor is an unwanted interruption to VelJohnson’s career and personal life. The actor who recently competed on Dancing With the Stars focuses more on his work and positive endeavors than on baseless gossip.

“I just pay it no mind and keep on doing what I do,” he said.

VelJohnson’s response reminds us that false narratives can impact individuals, even when fabricated, while the internet continues producing sensational stories. His enduring charm and professionalism are highlighted by his gracious handling of the situation and his appreciation for Chappelle’s comedic spin, which have made him beloved in Hollywood for decades.

VelJohnson hopes that the rumor will eventually disappear into obscurity. Until then, his focus remains on his craft, demonstrating that even in the face of absurdity, Carl Winslow’s real-life counterpart can stay calm.