Rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has responded to the newly released security footage that shows him physically assaulting singer Cassie Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. The footage, which was released by CNN on May 17, seems to corroborate an allegation described in Ventura’s 2023 lawsuit against Combs. The video immediately caught media attention due to its graphic nature.
On May 19, the rapper took to Instagram to address the footage.
“My behavior on that video is inexcusable,” Combs said in the just over one-minute-long video. “I was disgusted then when I did it. I am disgusted now.” He went on to share that he sought therapy and rehab following the incident.
“I’m so sorry,” he continued. “But I’m committed to being a better man each and every day.” Combs did not name or address Ventura in the video.
The video comes after Combs’ denial of the claims Ventura made against him during the 2023 lawsuit.
“Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,” Combs’ lawyer told CNN in November.
Combs also took to his Instagram in December following additional lawsuits to deny all allegations. “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged,” he wrote in the statement.
Meredith Firetog, a representative for Ventura and other women who have sued Combs, responded soon after Combs posted his apology on Sunday afternoon.
“When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday,” she said. “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.”
The general public has mirrored Firetog’s skepticism, with many taking to social media to criticize Combs’ attempt at an apology.
I still think about hearing how Diddy forced Cassie to get breast implants, didn’t like it, and told the doctor to undo it the next day. The next day. He could have killed that girl. Him and that sorry ass apology can go to hell.
— nat 🇲🇸🇦🇬 (@laugh_track_nat) May 19, 2024
In an interview with NewsNation, Just N Life Editor-in-Chief Nekia Nichelle pointed out that Combs has a long history of allegations of misconduct, further clouding the authenticity of his attempted apology.
Additional dissatisfaction ensued when the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office released a statement expressing that they could not press charges on Combs based on the video due to the statute of limitations.
“We are aware of the video that has been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles,” the statement said. “We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch. If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”
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