Cassie breaks silence on Diddy assault video

SInger Cassie, born Casandra Ventura, addressed the leaked video of her assault by Sean “Diddy” Combs by uploading 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 where my younger self can settle down and feel safe now, but that’s just the beginning.”

She goes on to write: “Domestic violence is THE problem. It broke me into someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always recover from my past. Ventura took the opportunity to ask people to listen to survivors of domestic violence: “It takes a lot of heart to speak the truth in a situation in which you were helpless,” she wrote. “I extend my hand to those who still live in fear. Contact your colleagues, don’t cut them off. No one should 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 an elevator, apparently trying to leave the hotel, but Combs is seen chasing her in a towel and dragging her, punching her kicking and shoving her. Shortly after the video surfaced, Combs addressed the surveillance footage in a video statement uploaded to Instagram.

Learn more: Diddy breaks silence after attacking Cassie: ‘My behavior is inexcusable’

“My behavior in this video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in this video,” he said in the video. “So I was disgusted when I did it. I’m disgusted now. I went there and sought professional help. I started going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for mercy and grace. I am really sorry. But I am committed to becoming a better man every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I am really sorry.”

Ventura’s lawyer released a statement to CNN after the music mogul’s apology video that said: “Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than 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 paycheck. 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 fallacious words.”

Learn more: Cassie settles lawsuit accusing Sean Combs of rape and abuse

The two dated for nearly 10 years, but officially ended their relationship in 2018. Ventura filed a lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, alleging that he physically and sexually assaulted her during their relationship. The complaint was settled a day after it was filed.

Combs has denied the allegations against him in the lawsuit, and his attorney has clarified to the public that “a decision to settle a lawsuit, particularly in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing” in a statement emailed to TIME. “Mr. Combs” The decision to settle the lawsuit in no way compromises his categorical denial of the claims. He is happy that they reached a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best. “