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Diddy's Diva Demands
The mogul throws a fit at the VH1 awards. Plus, a PR blackout for Paris

by Kat Giantis
MSN Entertainment
November 26, 2003

With all of P. Diddy's wealth and fame, you'd think he wouldn't need validation from a basic cable outlet. But according to the New York Post, that's exactly what he demanded from VH1 at the "Big in '03" awards last week. The paper claims the multi-hyphenate went ballistic backstage at the ceremony when he learned that he was only tapped to present neo-Rat Pack pal Ashton Kutcher with the "Big Stylin' '03" prize, not to collect an honor of
his very own.

"I am not going on stage unless I get an award!" the Post quotes him as saying. The suits at VH1 allegedly appeased the mogul by asking him what award he wanted. "I want to be the Big Maverick -- give me the Big Maverick '03 award," Diddy declared.

"It was a real pain," an insider tells the paper. "Eve was supposed to simply introduce Puffy, who would then give Ashton his award, but the script had to be reworked so that Eve could present Puffy with the award."

Diddy's rep insists his client knew all along he was only a presenter, although the flack had no explanation as to why he ended up receiving a prize. Diddy apparently likes the "maverick" label. Last week, he took home the "Style Maverick" honor at the Vibe Awards. "Big in '03" airs Sunday at 9 p.m.