Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs hacked, includes access to ‘private’ photos

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Sean "Diddy" Combs

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Updated: May 9, 2012 9:53AM

What could be one of the biggest celebrity hackings to date apparently has zapped entertainment powerhouse Sean “Diddy” Combs.

The show-biz mogul reportedly was freaked out to learn the extent of his identity theft — including access to some very private photos (allegedly of Combs and R&B singer Cassie) on his computer, plus all kinds of personal financial information involving his Social Security number, passwords opening access to bank accounts and a wide range of Combs’ business interests.

† Beyond that, his cell phones were hacked, unlocking the private numbers of Combs’ legion of famous friends and associates — including a couple of stars who reportedly already have received texts they assumed were from Diddy but were not.

“It’s a big mess,” a good Diddy buddy tells me, explaining Combs has hired a team of identity theft pros and security experts to clean it all up.

In the meantime, Combs is telling friends to beware of messages they think are from him — via text, e-mail, Twitter or even voicemail. “Diddy’s voice is so easily mimicked,” said the source.

† It is not known if Combs’ case is connected to Christopher Chaney, the Florida man charged Wednesday with hacking e-mails of such stars as Christina Aguilera, Scarlett Johansson and Mila Kunis. Another source close to the rapper said, “The authorities are looking into that possibility as well.”

NOT PAID: In the wake of the brouhaha over Jennifer Hudson’s no-show at the big Michael Jackson tribute concert in Wales last weekend, her publicist, Lisa Kasteler, released a statement clarifying one important issue.

“In the last few days, it has been written that our client, Jennifer Hudson, has been paid for the producers of the ‘Michael Forever’ event for a performance that she did not give. Ms. Hudson has not received any amounts in connection with the ‘Michael Forever’ event.”

This statement denies the producers’ claim that the Grammy and Oscar winner was “paid in full” at the time she signed the contract to appear.

WHAT A CUTIE! Actor and Chicago native Billy Zane is delighted his gorgeous little daughter, Eva Katerina — born only last February — already has become a Gerber baby, having just wrapped her first photo shoot Wednesday.

Zane, joined by Eva’s mom, beautiful model Candice Neill, is looking into moving back to Chicago. However, before buying something, Zane wisely says, “We may rent for a year, so Candice can feel all of the Chicago seasons!”

† The actor, who also appeared in a couple of episodes of the canceled “The Playboy Club,” is hopeful something comes of the chatter that the NBC series may be given another chance and picked up by another outlet.

SHEDDING A LOT MORE: Jonah Hill has not only lost 40-plus pounds ­— he’s also lost his longtime girlfriend Jordan Klein, whom he’s known since high school. Reportedly, as Hill’s weight has decreased, his ego has increased — especially since filming “Moneyball” with Brad Pitt. “Jonah now believes he’s totally ‘A-list’ and has become a bit insufferable, since he no longer will only be considered for the ‘fat boy’ roles,” said a Hollywood executive who has known Hill since his breakout role in “Knocked Up.”

LAUGH IT UP: Jim Carrey and Steve Carell are likely teaming up in the film “Burt Wonderstone” with Carrey playing the title role as a top Vegas magician who dumps his partner — only to discover he’s being upstaged by a street performer (Carell).

MAKING MUSIC: The Union League Club celebrated Chicago music and music education by honoring jazz vocalist Kurt Elling and Ravina’s CEO Welz Kauffman with its Distinguished Musicians Awards in an evening that featured performances by the Chicago’s Children’s Choir, Lincoln Trio and Ravinia Jazz Scholars — plus the world premiere of a Ramsey Lewis piano solo, played by Kauffman, and the Ravinia head honcho accompanying Elling in Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”

† Don’t be surprised if singer-songwriter Richard Marx and his wife, Cynthia Rhodes, are in the audience at the Fashion Focus Chicago’s Inspire Design show that Mario Tricoci and Vitaminwater are presenting Monday in Millennium Park. The reason? Sons Brandon and Lucas Marx will star in the show’s special musical opening.

† Fans of Ava Logan will want to know the talented vocalist will be at the Skokie Theater on Oct. 29 for “Ella Fitzgerald & Friends” — celebrating the music of Fitzgerald, plus songs by Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Peggy Lee and Nancy Wilson.