Misa Hylton, Mother of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Son, Responds to Cassie Assault Video: He ‘Needs Help’

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Misa Hylton, famed stylist and Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former partner, has weighed in on the recently released tape of the mogul abusing Cassie Ventura, stating that Combs “needs help and I am praying that he truly does the personal work and receives it.”

“I am heartbroken that Cassie must relive the horror of her abuse, and my heart goes out to her,” wrote Hylton on Instagram, sharing images of Combs’ five children. “I know exactly how she feels, and through my empathy, it has triggered my own trauma.”

More from Variety

Hylton has known Combs since her teenage years, and is co-parent to their 30-year-old son Justin. “These young people were raised by women that want the best for them — we put God and education first and have always been united in our mutual effort to support their dreams. Two of the youngest do not have their mother here and it has been our duty to support them.”

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 20: Misa Hylton attends The 6th Annual URBAN ONE HONORS: Best In Black presented by TV One at Coca Cola Roxy on January 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for TV One)
Misa Hylton

Last week, CNN released a shocking video of Combs physically assaulting his former girlfriend Ventura in 2016 at a hotel in Los Angeles. Shortly after, Combs admitted to the assault in an apology video posted to Instagram. “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you gotta do that,” he said. “I was fucked up. I mean, I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses.”

Combs had initially denied accusations that Ventura made in a November lawsuit that alleged assault and sexual coercion, claiming, “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.” Ventura’s lawsuit was settled the day after its filing, yet additional lawsuits claiming similar allegations arose in the weeks that followed.

Following Combs’ apology in the wake of the assault video, Ventura’s attorney released a statement dismissing his apology and claiming that it was a save face for his actions. “Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt,” read the statement. “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.”

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.