Sean “Diddy” Combs posted an apology video just days after disturbing footage of him beating ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016 resurfaced.
“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f—ked up. I mean, I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses,” the rapper, 54, said in the clip, posted via his Instagram feed on Sunday.
“My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted.”
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Diddy went on to say he was “disgusted then” when he “did it” and “disgusted now,” adding, “I went and I sought out professional help, started going to therapy and rehab, had to ask god for his mercy and grace.”
Prior to the video coming out last week, Combs vehemently denied Ventura’s allegations of abuse and rape, calling them “offensive and outrageous.”
Just days after Ventura filed her November 2023 lawsuit against Combs, the pair settled for an undisclosed amount — which the rapper claimed was in “no way an admission of wrongdoing” at the time.
Combs notably did not mention Ventura – whom he dated on and off from 2007 to 2018 – by name in the apology video.
The music mogul said he is “committed to being a better man each and every day” and concluded the video by saying he is “not asking for forgiveness” but is “truly sorry.”
While some fans slammed Combs for making the video all about himself, others called him out for only taking responsibility after the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Combs could not be charged for the assault due to the statute of limitations.
The apology came just days after CNN obtained a video of Combs beating and dragging Ventura, now 37, through a hotel in 2016.
The incident, which occurred at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel, was described in detail in Ventura’s lawsuit, corroborating some of her allegations against Combs.
In the video, she is seen sneaking out of a hotel room with her hoodie up while walking toward the elevators, seemingly in an attempt to escape.
However, Diddy then emerges from their room in nothing but a towel and chases her down. once he met up with her, the rapper threw her down by the neck and began kicking her repeatedly.
After a minute, Combs — whom Ventura claimed was “extremely intoxicated” at the time — is shown dragging her by her hoodie across the floor.
Although the “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper left Ventura in the hallway, he eventually returned and shoved her to the floor before hurling objects at her.
“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs,” Ventura’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, said in a statement to Page Six.
“Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”
In Ventura’s lawsuit, she claimed that Combs also punched her in the face before the incident in the hallway.
While the “Me & U” singer has not directly addressed the heartwrenching video, her husband, Alex Fine, posted a scathing message about abusers on his Instagram Friday.
Fine — who married Ventura in September 2019 — addressed the letter, which he wrote “a while back,” to “women and children.”
“Men who hit women aren’t men. Men who enable it and protect those people aren’t men,” he wrote. “As men, violence against women shouldn’t be inevitable, check your brothers, your friends, and your family. Our daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives should feel protected and loved.”
“Hold the women in your life with the upmost regard,” the model continued. “Men who hurt women hate women.”
Fine, 31, went on to address “all the survivors” of domestic violence and abuse, urging them to “find the men and women who help and love.”
He also reminded them that their stories and experiences are “real” and that he will always believe them.
“You’re not alone, and there are men and women who care only for your well being and safety. We want you to succeed and flourish,” Fine explained.
The fitness trainer — who shares Frankie, 4, and Sunny, 3, with Ventura — then apologized to the women and children who don’t feel “protected” or “equal” in the world.
He concluded by warning abusers that their time is up.
“You’re done, you’re not safe anymore, you’re not protected anymore. The men by your side are just as weak, you’re so miserable with yourself that [death] would be considered a kindness.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
