Sean “Diddy” Combs apologized 48 hours after video of him assaulting his ex-girlfriend surfaced. But that didn’t save the hip-hop mogul from a media storm.
Just before 1 p.m. on Friday, CNN released a video that shows hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs grabbing, shoving, dragging, and kicking R&B singer Cassie (real name Cassandra Ventura) during a physical altercation. The video was reportedly taken in 2016, when Cassie was Sean “Diddy” Combs’ girlfriend. The images in the video released by CNN match the allegations in a now-settled federal lawsuit filed by Ventura in November. At the time of the allegations, representatives for the 54-year-old rapper, an influential figure in the US music industry who founded the Bad Boy music label in 1993, did not respond to a request for comment.
After the video was released, Sean “Diddy” Combs went silent for nearly two days as backlash over the video grew. People flooded the comments section of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ old social media posts and a media firestorm erupted after CNN published the violent video.
And at 11 a.m. yesterday (May 19, US time), Sean “Diddy” Combs finally released an Instagram video in which he apologized for his actions – actions that Sean “Diddy” Combs had previously denied ever happening at the outset of the accusations.
“It’s hard to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you have to do it,” Sean “Diddy” Combs said in a video statement posted to Instagram. “I was devastated – I hit rock bottom – but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video was inexcusable.”
“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusting. I was disgusted at the time. I am disgusted now.”
However, throughout the entire apology video, Sean “Diddy” Combs did not mention Cassie (Cassandra Ventura) by name – his victim in this brutal abuse. And it was this action that made Ventura’s attorney, Meredith Firetog, very upset. This attorney immediately expressed her opinion, saying in a statement on Sunday – after Combs’ apology.
“Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than about the people he hurt,” – Attorney Meredith Firetog said. “When Cassie and many other women came forward, he denied everything and claimed that his victims were looking for money from him. The fact that he was only forced to “apologize” after his repeated denials were proven to be false shows his desperation, and that no one will be swayed by his lies.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs previously denied all allegations in Ventura’s November lawsuit. In her lawsuit, Ventura claimed she was raped in 2018 and suffered years of physical and other abuse from Combs.
Sean “Diddy” Combs, through his spokesperson, has also denied allegations in five other civil lawsuits filed against him since Ventura’s case. Sean “Diddy” Combs’ attorney has called those claims “lies” and said the plaintiffs are suing the hip hop mogul for financial gain and publicity.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ vehement denials are amplified by his status as a prominent figure in the American music industry. Sean “Diddy” Combs, known by various stage names including Puff Daddy, has had a distinguished career. The 54-year-old star is credited with driving the growth of the hip-hop genre. Sean “Diddy” Combs has won three Grammy Awards in his career and is a notable businessman under the Combs Global banner.
