Sean “Diddy” Combs is apologizing for his actions amid his ongoing misconduct scandal, including a newly resurfaced video in which he’s seen assaulting then-girlfriend Cassie.
“It’s difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, sometimes you gotta do that,” Diddy, 54, said in a Sunday, May 19, Instagram video. “I was f—ked up. I mean, I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted.”
The rapper continued, “I went and sought out professional help. I’ve been going to therapy, going to rehab. Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to being a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”
Diddy captioned his post, “I’m truly sorry.”
CNN obtained footage from 2016 of Diddy allegedly assaulting Cassie, now 37, and published the clip on Friday, May 17. In hotel security footage, Diddy grabbed Cassie (real name Casandra Ventura) by her neck and shoved, dragged and kicked her repeatedly.
“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs,” Cassie’s attorney Douglas H. Wigdor told Us Weekly in a Friday statement. “Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”
Diddy and Cassie dated on and off between 2007 and 2018. Nearly five years after they broke up for good, Cassie sued the music mogul in November 2023 for sexual assault and physical abuse over a 10-year period. Diddy vehemently denied all allegations before settling the case one day later. His attorney subsequently told Us that the settlement was not Diddy admitting guilt over Cassie’s claims.
After Cassie’s lawsuit, multiple other individuals came forward with similar misconduct accusations against Diddy. He denied every claim, also filing to dismiss one anonymous complaint earlier this month.
Diddy’s Sunday video did not address any of the other allegations that he is currently facing, including the March raids on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami. Homeland Security had conducted the raids in connection to a federal sex trafficking investigation. Diddy has not presently been charged or arrested with a crime.
“There was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” Diddy’s attorney Aaron Dyer told Us in a statement of the raids. “There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
