On September 6, 2024, a mysterious author using the name of “Jamal T. Millwood†published a memoir on Amazon that claimed to be penned by Kim Porter, Sean “Diddy†Combs’s late ex. The book, KIM’S LOST WORDS: A journey for justice, from the other side … contains numerous salacious claims about Porter, Diddy, and other celebrities in their orbit. At first, the book garnered little fanfare, as happens with most self-published authors. But after Diddy’s arrest on September 16 on sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, demand for Diddy-related content rose exponentially. At one point, the book shot to No. 1 on Amazon’s best-seller ranking. As of September 30, it is hovering at the No. 45 slot.
The purported memoir has prompted extensive criticism and controversy, given that Porter’s family and close friends have publicly said those aren’t her words. Some relatives have taken legal action against the man behind its publication, who, as it turns out, is actually named Christopher Todd and not Jamal T. Millwood. Following days of outcry over the memoir, Amazon has removed the controversial book, with a spokesperson telling Vulture in an email on October 1: “We were made aware of a dispute regarding this title and have notified the publisher. The book is not currently available for sale in our store.†Previously, the listing breathlessly explained that the book is a “raw and poignant glimpse into the life of Kim Porter, a woman whose light shone brightly in both the public eye and in the hearts of those who loved her most. Kim’s story, now shared in her own words, offers readers a rare and intimate look at her experiences, the joys and heartaches that shaped her, and the wisdom she carried through it all,†including her relationship with Diddy. Below, here is our best explanation of what’s going on.
What is alleged in the memoir?
Without repeating information from a questionable source — in this case, a memoir that probably wasn’t written by its subject — we do know the book features “numerous typos, factual inaccuracies and incredulous claims involving high-profile names,†according to Rolling Stone, whose brief description is probably the extent of what can be said without wading into libelous territory. There are also sexually graphic claims. The book is 59 pages long. It currently costs $22.07. That’s about all you need to know!
Who is Jamal T. Millwood?
A source close to the family told Vulture that the author is named Chris Todd, legal name Todd Christopher Guzze. Millwood is an allusion to the conspiracy theory that late rapper Tupac is actually still alive and living under said pseudonym, Rolling Stone explains. Todd, the source said, doesn’t have any connection to Porter or her family. Notably, this isn’t Todd’s first rodeo when it comes to eyebrow-raising celebrity gossip. An email address associated with Todd has sent missives to reporters promising bombshells related to purported Diddy sex tapes and JonBenet Ramsey’s death.
Where did the memoir come from?
Todd reportedly said that he couldn’t promise the book was legit but “believes it to be true,†per Rolling Stone. Todd alleged that the book was on a flash drive, which was given to him by two “music industry†sources. He said that these sources were people close with Porter and Diddy. “They said they had her flash drive,†Todd told the magazine. “I didn’t ask too many questions about how they got it [or] where did it come from.†He reportedly didn’t provide additional details about sourcing or authenticating and claimed that reps of celebs mentioned in the book didn’t respond to his inquiries. Todd reportedly said that he couldn’t promise the book was legit but “believes it to be true.†“If somebody put my feet to the fire and they said, ‘Life or death, is that book real?’ I have to say I don’t know. But it’s real enough to me,†Todd told Rolling Stone. “Sometimes you have to just put it out there. Maybe not 100 percent of the book is true, but maybe 80 percent is. That is to get those people to come forward and either corroborate or deny, and that helps me as an investigator to know the truth.†The family source claimed to Vulture that Todd has been trying to shop this book for six months.
What do we actually know about Kim’s relationship with Diddy and her death?
Porter and Diddy’s on-and-off relationship started in the 1990s. Porter gave birth to their son, Christian, in 1998 and twin girls D’Lila Star and Jessie James, in 2006, per People. Diddy also helped raise Quincy Brown, Porter’s son with R&B artist Al B. Sure! Porter and Diddy split in 2007. Porter died of lobar pneumonia in 2018 at age 47.
Has her family responded?
Yes. In an Instagram post shared by Quincy, her children said that they felt the need to speak out after seeing rumors fly. “Claims that our mom wrote a book are simply untrue. She did not, and anyone claiming to have a manuscript is misrepresenting themselves. Additionally, please understand that any so-called ‘friend’ speaking on behalf of our mom or her family is not a friend, nor do they have her best interests at heart,’†the post said. The statement also addresses conspiracy theories that Porter’s death was intentional. “While it has been incredibly difficult to reconcile how she could be taken from us too soon, the cause of her death has long been established. There was no foul play,†they said. “We are deeply saddened that the world has made a spectacle of what has been the most tragic event of our lives. Our mother should be remembered for the beautiful, strong, kind, and loving woman she was. Her memory should not be tainted by horrific conspiracy theories.â€
Has anyone else said anything about the book?
Erica Wolff, an attorney for Diddy, slammed its publication. “The Kim Porter ‘memoir’ is fake. It is also offensive — a shameless attempt to profit from tragedy. Chris Todd has no respect for Ms. Porter or her family, who deserve better,†Wolff said in a statement to Vulture. “Unlike the fabrications in his sickening ‘memoir,’ it is an established fact that Ms. Porter died of natural causes. May she rest in peace.â€
In a September 23 Instagram post, Al B. Sure! called for an investigation of people who had access to Porter’s home, claiming that some “were also instructed to steal her computer and mobile devices which contained her ‘original book notes.’†He said notes would be different from what came out, which he described as “fabricated bullshit.†He said that explicit sexual acts in the book involving him “NEVER took place.†Eboni Elektra, Porter’s close friend, said on Instagram in July that there was no book.
Could her family take legal action against Amazon or the author for publishing it?
Porter’s family has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Todd in an effort to get him to stop selling the book. Al B. Sure! posted a photo on his Instagram of a cease and desist sent to Todd and Amazon. The family source told Vulture that they were happy Al B. Sure! was taking his own steps against the book, but pointed out that he doesn’t represent the family and that he and Porter were never wed.
Is there protocol for this? Will Amazon take down the book?
Amazon said on October 1 that the title was no longer available. The listing page is now a stock image photo of a dog. The vendor’s guidelines on removing a book still aren’t super-clear. The company says that “as a bookseller, we believe that providing access to the written word is important, including content that may be considered objectionable. We carefully consider the types of content we make available in our stores and review our approach regularly, listening to feedback and investigating concerns from our customers. We reserve the right to remove content from sale if we determine it creates a poor customer experience. Authors, publishers, and selling partners are responsible for adhering to our content guidelines.†Amazon says that “We’ll remove content that does not adhere to these guidelines and promptly investigate any book when notified of potential noncompliance. If we remove a title, we let the author, publisher, or selling partner know and they can appeal our decision.†This includes content that might infringe upon copyrights as well as content that they deem constitutes hate speech, promotes child abuse, or boosts terrorism, “or other material we deem inappropriate or offensive.â€
The Community Guideline page suggests that Amazon could take something down if it involves a fake identity, but that seems to include false narrative in titles. To wit: “Only post your own content or content that you have permission to use on Amazon. This restriction includes text, images, and videos. You’re not allowed to: Post content that infringes on intellectual property (including copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets) or other proprietary rights … Interact with community members in ways that infringe on intellectual property or proprietary rights … impersonate someone or an organization.â€