CNN has released video footage showing Sean “Diddy” Combs viciously attacking his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, which is causing many who previously gave Diddy the benefit of the doubt to reconsider their stance amid numerous allegations of physical and sexual abuse.
Following the release of the video, Cassie’s attorney issued a statement praising her courage:
“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs,” said Cassie’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor. “Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”
Cassie, who shook the industry last November by filing a sexual assault lawsuit against Diddy, claimed in her suit that in March 2016, Diddy became “extremely intoxicated and punched Ms. Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye.”
Diddy settled the lawsuit a day after it became public. The hotel surveillance footage, dated March 5, 2016, corroborates her claims.
Despite the incident, the two appeared together on the red carpet two days later, on March 7, 2016, at the premiere of Lionsgate’s “The Perfect Match,” as if nothing had happened.
The disturbing video obtained by CNN shows Diddy in a towel running down a hall at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, chasing after Cassie.
He grabs her by the neck, throws her to the floor, and kicks her. After retrieving her luggage, he drags her by her sweatshirt. When Cassie picks up a phone in the hallway, Diddy grabs an object off a table and throws it at her.
CNN reports that the video supports part of Cassie’s lawsuit, which alleged that she returned to the hotel intending to apologize after running away from Diddy, knowing it would only make him angrier.
Hotel security staff urged her to leave, suggesting they had seen footage of the assault.
The video leaves no ambiguity about the nature of the attack, countering any narrative that might blame Cassie or question the full story.
According to Cassie’s filing, Diddy paid the hotel $50,000 for the footage, indicating his awareness of its damaging potential.
The video release adds weight to the numerous sexual abuse allegations Diddy faces, challenging his portrayal of himself as the victim of a “witch hunt.”
