Sean “Diddy” Combs has publicly apologized for assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, following the release of CCTV footage showing the incident in a hotel hallway in 2016.
In a video posted on his Instagram, Diddy admitted full responsibility for his actions, which were highlighted in a CNN broadcast earlier this week. He expressed his remorse, stating, “I was disgusted when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”
Diddy also shared that he sought professional help, including therapy and rehab, and asked for divine forgiveness. “I’m so sorry,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to self-improvement.
However, Cassie Ventura’s legal team, speaking to CBS News, criticized Diddy’s apology, suggesting it focused more on himself than the people he had harmed. Lawyer Meredith Firetog pointed out that Diddy had previously denied all allegations, accusing his victims of seeking financial gain. Firetog stated, “His repeated denials were proven false, showing his desperate and disingenuous nature.”
The BBC has not independently verified the video, which appears to be a compilation of surveillance footage from March 5, 2016. The CNN-released footage depicts a man, identified as Combs, pushing Ventura to the floor, kicking her, attempting to drag her by her shirt, and throwing an object at her. This incident reportedly took place at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.
Until now, Diddy had not addressed the video. Ventura’s lawyers had previously described the footage as further evidence of Combs’ “disturbing and predatory behavior.”
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office indicated that the alleged assault might be too old to prosecute.
Combs and Ventura began their relationship when she was 19 and he was 37. In November, Ventura settled a lawsuit against Combs for an undisclosed sum, where she accused him of rape and sexual trafficking over a decade. Combs’ lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, stated that the settlement did not imply any admission of wrongdoing.
Since then, several other women have filed lawsuits accusing Diddy of sexual and physical abuse. His properties in Los Angeles and Miami, Florida, were recently raided as part of a federal human trafficking investigation.