Ty Stiklorius: John Legend’s Manager Shares Terrifying Experience at a Diddy Party

In a thought-provoking opinion piece published in the New York Times on October 31, 2024, titled The Music Industry Is Toxic. After P. Diddy, We Can Clean It Up, producer and activist Ty Stiklorius sheds light on the troubling culture prevalent within the music industry.

As the founder of Friends at Work, a talent management agency that intertwines entertainment with social justice, Stiklorius is widely recognized for her commitment to addressing systemic issues in the industry.

In her op-ed, Stiklorius recounts a harrowing experience from a yacht party hosted by Diddy in St. Barts shortly after her college graduation. She vividly describes being “directed into a bedroom by a man” whose identity she did not know and had no ties to Diddy:

“To this day, I can’t remember how I managed to talk my way out of that terrifying situation. Perhaps my nervous babbling—‘My brother’s on this boat, and he’s probably looking for me!’—convinced him to unlock the bedroom door and let me go.”

Stiklorius’ Acclaimed Career and Advocacy

Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ty Stiklorius has gained prominence as an Emmy-winning producer. She attended Friends’ Central School and later earned her MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2003, following her undergraduate degree from the same institution in 1997. Her achievements in the entertainment field reflect her talent and tenacity.

Initially, Stiklorius thought her unsettling encounter at Diddy’s party was an isolated incident, labeling it as an example of “one guy behaving badly.”However, her subsequent experiences within the industry have profoundly altered her perspective. Notably, she described receiving an “unsubtle invitation” to a hotel room from a music executive, which further validated her concerns about a culture that perpetuates sexual misconduct and exploits aspiring artists.

Stiklorius credits her sustained presence in the music industry to her long-standing partnership with artist John Legend, whom she has been managing for two decades since he reached out to her in 2005. She noted:

“It turns out that many artists, including John, want to be a part of a different model of business and culture.”

In 2015, she established Friends at Work, representing talented artists including Legend, Charlie Puth, and The National. Her company’s mission emphasizes social issues such as criminal justice reform, mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s empowerment.

Reflecting on her mission in a Marie Claire profile from 2018, Stiklorius firmly stated:

“We need to name and shame bad actors, like the Charlie Walks and the L.A. Reids, the people who’ve been sexually harassing women throughout their careers. I’m not afraid to do that.”

Before founding her management company, Stiklorius held an executive position at Ascent Media and co-founded JL Ventures and Get Lifted Film Co. She has produced acclaimed films such as La La Land, Monster, and Citizen Ashe. Her work has earned her accolades, including Emmys for Crow: The Legend (2019) and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (2018).

Currently, Ty Stiklorius lives in California with her husband, Erik Flannigan, a former Viacom VP, and they share two children.

Allegations Against Diddy: A Legal Perspective

In a significant legal development, Texas attorney Tony Buzbee recently announced that he is representing 120 individuals who have alleged abuse by Diddy, with claims indicating that 25 of these victims were minors. Notably, on October 14, six accused, including a 16-year-old, filed civil lawsuits alleging rape and assault, marking the first time a minor has brought forth a lawsuit against the rapper.

Further complicating Diddy’s legal situation, additional suits were filed last week on behalf of two individuals who were just 10 and 17 at the time of the alleged assaults. According to People, Buzbee claimed these victims had been seeking opportunities in the music industry when Diddy offered to assist them.

In September, federal authorities arrested Diddy on serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. He vehemently denies all allegations and is currently in detention without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, awaiting a trial set for May 2025.

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