Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs apologizes after video released of alleged attack of ex-girlfriend Cassie
Sean “Diddy” Combs: The rap mogul looks on prior to the Leagues Cup 2023 match between Inter Miami CF and Atlanta United at DRV PNK Stadium on July 25, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
By Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
LOS ANGELES — Sean “Diddy” Combs reportedly admitted to attacking his ex-girlfriend Cassie in 2016 days after video was released of the attack.
“My behavior on that video is inexcusable,” he said in an Instagram and Facebook post Sunday, according to CNN.
“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” Combs said, according to The Associated Press.
“I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry,” he added, according to CNN.
On Friday, CNN released a video of the attack, according to the AP. The video was from 2016. It reportedly showed Combs in a white towel attacking Cassie (Cassandra Ventura). Cassie was dating Combs at the time and was one of his proteges.
“The video “has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light,” Cassie’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, said Friday after the video was released, according to NBC News.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office released a statement on Instagram Friday after the video’s release, according to CNN.
“We are aware of the video that has been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles. We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch,” the statementreads, according to CNN.
“If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted. As of today, law enforcement has not presented a case related to the attack depicted in the video against Mr. Combs, but we encourage anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report it to law enforcement or reach out to our office for support from our Bureau of Victims Services,” the district attorney’s office said.
In November, Cassie sued Combs over sexual, physical and emotional abuse that took place over a few years. According to the AP, the lawsuit was dropped the next day.
Combs has since been facing other lawsuits including a a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation. That investigation led to a raid of his homes in Miami and Los Angeles.
Combs has denied the allegations of the lawsuits, the AP reported.
Through the years Rap music recording artist Sean "Puffy" Combs is interviewed by the media at the 2001 MTV Movie Awards June 2, 2001 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Weeks/Getty Images) (Chris Weeks/Getty Images)
Through the years Russell Simmons and Sean 'Puffy' Combs during the 'Taking Back Responsibilty Hip Hop Summit' at the New York Hilton in New York City. 6/14/01 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean "P-Diddy" Combs onstage at the 2001 VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, 10/19/01. Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect. (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years P. Diddy onstage performing at the United We Stand: What More Can I Give? Concert a music benefit in the Nation's Capital to raise money in support of the recovery efforts from the September 11th attacks on America. The proceeds will go to various relief funds. October 21, 2001 (Photo: Scott Gries/ImageDirect) (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years Musicians Sean "P. Diddy" Combs (L), Jewel (C) and producer Dick Clark attend a press conference November 13, 2001 in Beverly Hills, CA announcing the nominees for the 29th Annual American Music Awards to be held in January 2002 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean "P. Diddy" Combs on his two-way pager, with Ronald Isley in the background, during a press conference to announce the release of a new collaborative album by R. Kelly and Jay-Z entitled "The Best Of Both Worlds", at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. The album will be released worldwide on March 26, 2002. 1/24/02 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean "P. Diddy" Combs during MTV's Rock N Jock NBA All Star Jam at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa. 2/8/02 Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years Rapper P. Diddy poses backstage during the 44th Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center February 27, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Through the years P. Diddy runs the show during a special week of celebrity hosts on TRL at the MTV Studios in New York City. 4/3/02 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean "P. Diddy" Combs speaks during a "Mobilization For Education" march on City Hall in New York City to protest Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki's proposed budget cuts for education. 6/4/02 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years P. Diddy at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, August 29, 2002. Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect. (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years Music mogul Sean "P.Diddy" Combs attends Heidi Klum's 3rd annual Halloween Party at Capitale November 1, 2002 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images) (Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Through the years Singer Sean "P. Diddy" Combs attends the MTV Europe Music Awards November 14, 2002 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images) (Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
Through the years Rap stars LL Cool J and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs pose backstage at MTV's Direct Effect at MTV studios February 25, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) (Evan Agostini)
Through the years Actress Pam Anderson (L) and rapper P. Diddy appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios on June 25, 2003 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years Rap artist Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs, announces his entry into the "2003 ING New York City Marathon" to be held on Sunday, November 2nd, during a press conference at Nike Town, September 30, 2003, in New York, NY. Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs will run in attempt to raise one million dollars for three charities dedicated to improving the education and healthcare for New York City children. (Photo by Adam Rountree/Getty Images) (Adam Rountree/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Kim Porter attend Sean "P. Diddy" Combs 35th Birthday Celebration on November 4 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images) (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
Through the years Rapper Sean "P. Diddy" Combs performs onstage during Power 105.1's "Powerhouse 2005: Operation Takeover" at the Continental Airlines Arena on October 27, 2005 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images) (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Through the years P. Diddy and Snoop Dogg pose during a press conference to promote the P. Diddy and Snoop Dogg European Tour, held at the Hartwall Areena on March 9, 2007 in Helsinki, Finland. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) (Getty Images/Getty Images)
Through the years Host Sean "Diddy" Combs and Kim Porter with their twin daughters D'Lila Star Combs and Jessie James Combs pictured at "The Real White Party" presented by Sean "Diddy" Combs at the Combs' East Hampton estate on September 2, 2007 in East Hampton, New York. (Photo by Mat Szwajkos/CP/Getty Images for CP) (Mat Szwajkos/Getty Images)
Through the years Actor-rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 2, 2008 on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images) (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean "P Diddy" Combs performs during Escape To Total Rewards at Gotham Hall on March 1, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Caesars Entertainment) (Michael Loccisano)
Through the years Sean Combs attends the 'Killing Them Softly' Premiere during 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 22, 2012 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean Combs attends the Weinstein Company's 2014 Golden Globe Awards after party on January 12, 2014 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images) (Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean "Diddy" Combs (R) presents his Alma Matter Howard University's President Wayne A.I. Frederick, M.D., MBA with one million dollar check at the Puff Daddy and Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour at the Verizon Center on September 22, 2016 in Washington D.C.. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images for Live Nation) (Larry French)
Through the years Sean "Diddy" Combs aka Puff Daddy attends the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between" Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images For Entertainment Weekly) (Dia Dipasupil)
Through the years Sean "Diddy" Combs attends TimesTalks Presents: An Evening with Sean "Diddy" Combs at The New School on September 20, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean "Diddy" Combs speaks onstage during TimesTalks Presents: An Evening with Sean "Diddy" Combs at The New School on September 20, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Through the years (L) Producer Sean Combs and his mother Janice Combs attend the VH1's 3rd Annual "Dear Mama: A Love Letter To Moms" - Cocktail Reception at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on May 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the 2018 Fox Network Upfront at Wollman Rink, Central Park on May 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the premiere of Fox's "The Four: Battle For Stardom" Season 2 at CBS Studios - Radford on May 30, 2018 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images) (Rich Fury/Getty Images)
Through the years Jay-Z and Diddy attend 2019 Roc Nation THE BRUNCH on February 9, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Roc Nation ) (Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
Through the years Honoree Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the Pre-GRAMMY Gala and GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Sean "Diddy" Combs on January 25, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) (Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images for The Recording A)
Through the years (L-R) Sean Combs and Jessie James Combs attend the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images) (Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images)
Through the years Sean Combs attends the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony for DJ Khaled on April 11, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)