By Ericka Alston Buck
Special to the AFRO
In a startling reversal, Sean “Diddy” Combs has publicly admitted to a 2016 assault he previously denied, marking a significant moment of accountability for the music mogul.
On May 19, Combs posted a video on Instagram acknowledging the attack, which had been described in a lawsuit filed by model and singer Cassie Ventura.
Sean “Diddy” Combs arrives at the LA Premiere of “The Four: Battle For Stardom” at the CBS Radford Studio Center on May 30, 2018, in Los Angeles. Newly released video Friday, May 17, 2024, appears to show Combs beating his former singing protege and girlfriend Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)
The video confession followed the release of disturbing footage by CNN, which showed a man, identified as Combs, physically attacking a woman who appears to be Ventura as she attempted to leave a hotel room. The incident closely mirrors the account Ventura provided in her November 2023 lawsuit, in which she detailed a relationship marred by physical violence, abuse, and sex trafficking.
Ventura, who was involved with Combs from 2007 to 2018, alleged that in the 2016 incident, Combs forced her to engage with a male sex worker while he watched. When she tried to leave the hotel room afterward, Combs allegedly attacked her. Ventura claimed that Combs later paid the hotel $50,000 for the security footage of the incident.
Initially, Combs vehemently denied Ventura’s claims. His attorney, Ben Brafman, called the allegations “offensive and outrageous,” and accused Ventura of attempting to extort $30 million by threatening to write a damaging book. Despite these denials, Combs settled the lawsuit the following day for an undisclosed amount, maintaining that the settlement was not an admission of guilt.
“For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail,” Brafman stated. “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.”
This frame grab taken from hotel security camera video and aired by CNN appears to show Sean “Diddy” Combs attacking singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in March 2016. (Hotel Security Camera Video/CNN via AP)
Despite the settlement, Combs continued to deny the allegations. In December 2023, after three additional women filed suits against him claiming rape and sexual assault, he issued a statement vehemently denying all accusations and declaring his intent to defend his reputation.
However, Combs’ position changed dramatically with his Instagram video. “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you’ve got to do that,” Combs said in the video. “I was f*d up—I hit rock bottom—but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable.”
Combs expressed deep remorse for his actions, saying, “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”
He also revealed that he sought professional help, including therapy and rehab, and asked for divine mercy and grace.
The public reaction to Combs’ admission has been mixed, with some applauding his transparency and others remaining skeptical.
