Fellow hip-hop artist Diddy, 50 Cent, has reacted to the 2016 viral video showing the troubled music icon, Diddy beating up his then-staff cum lover Cassie Ventura. The video footage released by CNN shows the alleged assault of Cassie Ventura by Diddy at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. The footage, published on Friday, depicts Ventura walking to the elevator of the InterContinental Hotel in Century City on March 5, 2016. Diddy, wearing only a towel, is seen chasing after her down the hallway, hitting her, throwing her to the floor, and repeatedly kicking her. He then attempts to drag her away before she is seen trying to make a call on the hotel phone. He appears to throw a vase, aligning with Cassie’s account in her now-settled lawsuit against Diddy, in which she claimed he threw objects at her as she “ran to the elevator to escape.”
Her lawsuit detailed the incident: “In or around March 2016, during an FO at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, Mr. Combs became extremely intoxicated and punched Ms. Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye.” After he fell asleep, Ventura tried to leave the hotel room, but Diddy awoke and began screaming at her, followed her into the hallway, grabbed her, and threw glass vases at her.
At the time, Diddy released a statement via his lawyer, vehemently denying the allegations. The day after Ventura filed the lawsuit in November, she and Diddy settled, with both parties issuing a statement saying they resolved the matter “amicably,” per TMZ.
Despite the settlement, many people have come forward with their own disturbing allegations against Diddy, which he has also denied. He has become the focus of a federal investigation.
Although Cassie has not commented on the video, her lawyer told CNN, “The gut-wrenching 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.” A representative for Diddy has not yet commented on the video.
Cassie’s husband, Alex Fine, shared a message on Instagram after the video was published, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe world for women and girls. He stated, “Men who hit women aren’t men. Men who enable it and protect those people aren’t men. As men, violence against women shouldn’t be inevitable. Check your brothers, your friends, and your family.”
He continued, “Men who hurt women hate women. To the women and children, you’re not alone, and you are heard. To the abusers, you’re done. You’re not safe anymore, you’re not protected anymore.”
Aubrey O’Day, who worked with Diddy in the 2000s and has been speaking out about him for years, reacted on social media. She warned abuse survivors about the “disturbing” video and expressed support for all of Diddy’s victims. She emphasized the need to change the system so no one has the power to bury or discredit voices.
50 Cent, who has had a long-standing rivalry with Diddy, reposted the footage and commented sarcastically on the anticipated legal defense. Claudia Jordan and journalist Jemele Hill also weighed in, condemning the actions depicted in the video and expressing support for Cassie.
Jordan criticized those who defended Diddy, noting that women often need extensive evidence to be believed. Hill praised Cassie’s courage in coming forward and wished her well, calling Diddy a “POS.”
The release of this video has sparked widespread reactions and further condemnation of Diddy’s alleged behavior. The investigation into these allegations continues.
Credit: Toofab.com
