Diddy Seen Attacking Cassie in Newly Published Surveillance Footage From 2016
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Sean “Diddy” Combs, November 2023 (MEGA/GC Images)
Note: This article contains references to and descriptions of apparent physical assault that some readers may find disturbing.
CNN obtained and published hotel surveillance video from March 2016 that appears to show Sean “Diddy” Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, the pop and R&B singer Casandra Elizabeth “Cassie” Ventura. The graphic footage comes from the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, according to CNN.
The newly released footage seems to corroborate allegations that Cassie made in her since-settled lawsuit against Diddy. In the complaint, Cassie alleged that Diddy “became extremely intoxicated and punched [her] in the face” at the hotel. The singer said she “tried to leave her hotel room,” while Diddy was asleep, “but as she exited, Mr. Combs awoke and began screaming at [her]. He followed her into the hallway of the hotel while yelling at her. He grabbed at her, and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw them at her, causing glass to crash around them as she ran to the elevator to escape.”
The lawsuit also contended, “Upon information and belief, Mr. Combs paid the InterContinental Century City $50,000 for the hallway security footage from that evening.”
In a statement shared with Pitchfork, Cassie’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, said, “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”
On Sunday (May 19), Diddy uploaded a video to social media in which he apologizes for his actions in the security camera footage. “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” he says in the clip. “I was fucked up, I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”
In response to Combs’ video post, Meredith Firetog, a partner at the law firm representing Cassie, said, “Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday. That he was only compelled to ‘apologize’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”
On May 23, Cassie wrote in a statement of her own:
Thank you for all of the love and support from my family, friends, strangers and those I have yet to meet. The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is only the beginning. Domestic Violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from my past.
Thank you to everyone that has taken time to take this matter seriously. My only ask is that EVERYONE open your heart to believing victims the first time. It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth out of a situation that you were powerless in.
I offer my hand to those that are still living in fear. Reach out to your people, don’t cut them off. No one should carry this weight alone.
This healing journey is never ending, but this support means everything to me. Thank you.
Love Always,
Cassie
Cassie filed her lawsuit against Diddy in November of last year. The matter was settled the day after it became public, with Diddy’s attorney saying, “Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”
Cassie’s lawsuit set off a chain of events, leading to more lawsuits against Diddy, who is facing allegations of sexual assault and more. There is also a federal investigation into the rapper and hip-hop mogul for alleged sex trafficking. Diddy has denied allegations of wrongdoing.
If you or someone you know have been affected by domestic abuse, we encourage you to reach out:
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
http://thehotline.org
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
This article was originally published on Friday, May 17, at 1:54 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. It was last updated on Thursday, May 23, at 10:25 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
