Several former associates of Sean Combs have secured new professional opportunities within the camp of R&B icon Usher. As the Bad Boy Records founder navigates the aftermath of his legal proceedings, at least three individuals previously employed by his organization have transitioned to roles supporting Usher’s current world tour, which features Chris Brown.
Among those who have joined the tour is Kristina Khorram, who served as Combs’ chief of staff for over a decade. Her involvement follows her tenure as a prominent figure within Combs Enterprises, where she rose to the role of right-hand aide by 2020. Alongside Khorram, the group reportedly includes a personal assistant who was previously involved in Combs’ operations and a photographer who had been collaborating with the mogul on a documentary project prior to his arrest in September 2024.
The specific nature of these new working relationships remains somewhat opaque, as representatives for both Usher and Khorram have declined to provide comment. While the logistical details of how these staff members moved to the Confessions singer’s team are not public, the history between the two artists is well-documented. Usher was mentored by Combs during his teenage years, with the music mogul playing a significant role in the development of Usher’s 1994 self-titled debut.
Usher has previously expressed a nuanced perspective regarding his former mentor. In a conversation with Forbes earlier this year, the singer noted that he preferred to focus on the professional contributions Combs made to the industry and the broader Black entrepreneurial community, stating, "I’m not saying that every man is perfect. I’m not saying that all of us don’t have flaws. But I can’t, with any sense of humanity, not recognize the valuable contributions that this man made for us as Black entrepreneurs."
The transition of these staffers arrives as the legal landscape surrounding Combs remains active. While Khorram was named in court proceedings by government prosecutors, she was never charged with a crime and has consistently denied the allegations against her, describing the accusations as "unthinkable." Meanwhile, reports indicate that Usher has already concluded his working relationship with the personal assistant who had previously served Combs between 2021 and 2024.
