Sean Combs on Life After J.Lo

N E W   Y O R K, July 13, 2001 -- Earlier this year, Sean "Puffy" Combs faced criminal charges and the end of his love affair with Jennifer Lopez.

Now he has a new life, a new name, a new album, P. Diddy and & the Bad Boy Family: The Saga Continues. Combs talked to ABCNEWS' Robin Roberts on Good Morning America.

The following is an uncorrected, unedited transcript of Roberts' interview with Combs.

ABCNEWS' ROBIN ROBERTS: How are you doing?

COMBS: I'm doing great. I'm doing great.

ROBERTS: OK, now. You know, my mom always taught me to be polite. What do I call you? You have so many different names.

COMBS: I mean, the whole name thing change thing is just another level of flavor, another level of fun, another — another level of freedom. We're just out here having a good time, out here promoting this new album.

ROBERTS: Right.

COMBS: P. Diddy & the Bad Boy Family: The Saga Continues. The past is in the past. We're looking forward to a bright future. We have a lot of positive things going on. We just want to share that with my fans. Just trying to get it back to — to what I'm — I'm really known for, which is making music, making people dance, making people have a good time.

ROBERTS: And you've really talked about how in this — in this last year you've learned a lot.

COMBS: Yes.

ROBERTS: And you've grown a lot.

COMBS: Yes, I have.

ROBERTS: How have you grown up?

COMBS: Just getting your priorities straight. A lot of times in this business, this business, like, drains you. And you become obsessed with it, you know, being — being a leader in it. And sometimes you lose focus on your personal life as far as your family and just the simple things. And I had to just get my priorities straight. And as far as keeping God first in my life, keeping my family first, and just — just constantly being focused and appreciating the simple things in life. And — and — and that's — living in the moment. And that's the space I'm in right now. And that's what reflected in the new album and also in my music right now. I feel real good about it.

ROBERTS: Yes, it's — it's good to dance to ...

COMBS: It really is.

ROBERTS: It's got a good vibe ...

COMBS: Yes.

ROBERTS: And all that. And I — I noticed that on the CD jacket there are a lot of contributors and they had nicknames by them.

COMBS: Yes.

ROBERTS: And your nickname was "News at 11."

COMBS: Yes.

ROBERTS: What was that about?

COMBS: "News at 11" because if I come outside a restaurant in town or if I — you know, if I'm on a scooter and there's an illegal lane change by accident, all of a sudden it makes the 11 o'clock news. So it was just poking fun at yourself, you know. And — and having funwith — with life and just being lighthearted about it. You can't beserious about everything. You can't complain about the situation.There is a price that you pay with being a celebrity. And sometimesyou just have to handle it.

ROBERTS: Yeah, the price that you pay that, you know, everything is out there.

COMBS: Yes.

ROBERTS: Even your private life. Of course, it was well documented that you and Jennifer Lopez are no longer an item. And you see her with her — her new boyfriend. How does that make you feel? How — how are you dealing with it?

COMBS: I'm dropping a new album and a new movie and I'm just, you know,living my life in a positive way. And I wan — it's like, therelationship is just like a relationship you would have, you know.

ROBERTS: Right.

COMBS: You — you meet somebody, fall in love. Hopefully it works out. If itdoesn't work out, you all remain friends and ...

ROBERTS: And you're still friends?

COMBS: Yes. And you keep a certain amount of respect. But she's somebodyI'll always love and respect. But, you know, it's just a situation.Now I'm focused on my — on my — on my life as an entertainer, my lifeas — my life with my kids and my family and just — just moving on dayby day.

ROBERTS: And your life as an entertainer takes on a …

COMBS: Yes.

ROBERTS: … kick and a tune and a notch, too. What's — is the movie made?

COMBS: Yeah, the movie's made.

ROBERTS: And you're going to make your debut. Tell me about it.

COMBS: I'm making my debut and this new movie comes out this weekend. And it's an independent film(Made, directed by Jon Favreau) so it's a small release, with Jon Favre and Jim Lawrence. And I had a ball doing this. You know,I just had a great time. And I look forward to pursuing acting andhitting that big screen in a big way and giving some people — givingpeople some joy from — from the movie — from the film perspective.

ROBERTS: What do — what do you see yourself doing in the future? What is it you really want to concentrate on?

COMBS: I just want to stay consistent, you now. If anything, I'mconcentrating on now it's just my personal life. Is — this is my kidsand what myself and staying focused with that. And — and stayinggrounded and not get — not getting caught up in the hype that's alwaysaround me. And just — just giving them that time and that energy withmy son. So that's what I'm focused on.

ROBERTS: Well, Sean, good luck to you.

COMBS: Thank you for having me.

ROBERTS: We'll see you in the movie.

COMBS: Yes.

ROBERTS: Appreciate you getting up early like this.

COMBS: No problem, no problem. I want you all to check me out. I'm hosting "TRL."

ROBERTS: All right.

COMBS: Yeah, I'm hosting "TRL" right across the street. So you've got to check me out later on this afternoon.

ROBERTS: You've got so much going on.

COMBS: Oh, yeah. Life is good. Thank you, Jesus.