Diddy apologises for “inexcusable” 2016 video allegedly showing him attacking ex Cassie
Diddy has apologised for his “inexcusable” behaviour in a video allegedly showing him attacking ex Cassie.
The apology follows footage obtained and published by CNN on Friday (March 17) which appeared to show the rapper beating his former partner, singer Cassie, and throwing an unidentified object at her from a nearby table.
The footage aligns with testimony Cassie gave in a lawsuit filed against the rap mogul, in which she claimed Diddy “became extremely intoxicated and punched [her] in the face” at the hotel, then following her into the hallway and throwing glass vases at her after she tried to leave when he was asleep.
Now, Diddy (real name Sean Combs) has taken to Instagram to publish an apology video today (May 19), beginning: “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” he said. “I was fucked up — I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses. My behaviour on that video is inexcusable.”
“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” Combs continued. “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.”
Combs is currently facing a series of ongoing investigations regarding alleged sex trafficking, sexual assault and harassment. The rapper’s homes in Miami and Los Angeles were raided in March, seemingly in connection with the accusations.
Back in November, Comb’s ex Cassie – real name Cassandra Ventura – filed a lawsuit in federal court against Diddy, accusing him of rape and physical abuse (per The New York Times). Ventura and Combs were in a romantic relationship between 2007 (when she was 21 years old) and 2018.
Cassie and Diddy settled their abuse lawsuit one day after it was formally filed; according to a release sent by attorney Douglas Wigdor, who represented Ventura, both have settled their lawsuit to their “mutual satisfaction”.
A week after Cassie filed her lawsuit against Diddy in November, two new allegations by two different women also came out, with one claiming that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her and the other alleging that Combs and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall took turns raping the plaintiff and her friend in 1990 or 1991 – with Diddy allegedly turning violent days later.
A few weeks after, Diddy took to his official X/Twitter account to deny all of the allegations against him. Aaron Hall did not respond to the claims made against him.
Producer Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones sued Combs in February alleging he sexually assaulted him, further claiming Diddy had parties where sex workers and underage girls were present. He also alleged Diddy coerced him to sleep with prostitutes. Diddy replied, saying Jones’ claims were “pure fiction”. He denies any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Diddy re-shared the seven-minute-long music video for his 1998 track ‘Victory’ in April, in which he is running away from Los Angeles police.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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Alex Rigotti
NME
