sInger Cassie, born Casandra Ventura, addressed the leaked video of her being assaulted by Sean “Diddy” Combs by sending a statement to Instagram. “Thank you for all the love and support from my family, friends, strangers and those I have yet to meet,” the statement read. “The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is just the beginning.”
She goes on to write: “Domestic violence is THE problem. It turned me into someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from the past.” Ventura took the opportunity to advocate for people to listen to survivors of domestic violence: “It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth about a situation in which you were powerless,” she writes. “I offer my hand to those who still live in fear. Reach out to your people, don’t interrupt them. No one should have to carry this weight alone.”
The footage, captured at a Los Angeles hotel in March 2016 and published by CNN on Friday, showed Ventura waiting for the elevator, apparently trying to leave the hotel, but Combs is seen chasing her in a towel and dragging, kicking and pushing her. Shortly after the video’s release, Combs addressed the surveillance footage in a video uploaded to Instagram.
See more information: Diddy breaks silence for attacking Cassie: ‘My behavior is inexcusable’
“My behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” he said in the video. “I was disgusted when I did it. I’m disgusted now. I went and sought professional help. I started going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m very sorry. But I’m committed to being a better man every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I am deeply sorry.”
Ventura’s attorney released a statement to CNN following the music mogul’s video apology that says, “Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than it is about the many people he has hurt. When Cassie and several other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested his victims were looking for a payout. The fact that he was only forced to ‘apologize’ when his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his false words.”
See more information: Cassie settles lawsuit accusing Sean Combs of rape and abuse
The two dated on and off for nearly 10 years but officially ended their relationship in 2018. Ventura filed suit against Combs in November 2023, alleging that he physically and sexually abused her during their relationship. The action was closed one day after it was filed.
Combs denied the allegations against him in the lawsuit, and his attorney clarified to the public that “a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing” in a statement emailed to TIME. ‘The decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way prejudice its full denial of the claims. He is happy they reached a mutual agreement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
