By Peloton has paused the use of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ music in its classes after a 2016 video surfaced showing the music mogul assaulting singer Cassie Ventura. The fitness company stated its private members’ Facebook page following concerns from members about the video.
The decision was prompted by a comment from a member of Peloton’s private Facebook group, who said, “Dear Peloton, Your next purge needs to be all Diddy classes. Signed, women everywhere.” Peloton responded, “We take this issue very seriously and can confirm Peloton has paused the use of Sean Combs’ music, as well as removed the Bad Boy Entertainment Artist Series, on our platform.”
Peloton clarified, “This means our instructors are no longer using his music in any newly produced classes. Again, thank you for sharing your concerns, and thank you for being a member of our Peloton community.” A representative for Peloton did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
The decision came after CNN obtained and released the 2016 footage showing Combs, now 54, attacking Ventura, now 37, at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. In the video, Combs is seen chasing Ventura down a hallway with a towel around his waist as she tries to get on an elevator. He grabs her by the neck, shoves her to the ground, and then violently kicks her. Moments later, Combs drags her back toward their hotel room, then sits by the elevator, grabs an object off a table, and throws it at her.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Ventura’s lawyer Douglas H. Wigdor said, “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.”
The video emerged months after Ventura filed a court complaint against Combs in November, accusing him of sexual assault and physical abuse over a 10-year period. The claims were settled one day later to Combs and Ventura’s “mutual satisfaction.”
On May 19, Combs addressed the footage in an Instagram video captioned, “I’m truly sorry.” In the video, he said, “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life. Sometimes you gotta do that. I was f—ed 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. Disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help, 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 being a better man. Each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness, I’m truly sorry.”
Since the allegations came to light, several brands have severed ties with Combs. In December, Rolling Stone reported that Hulu scrapped plans for a reality show centered around Combs and his family. In January, Diageo and Combs settled a lawsuit over racial discrimination claims related to the promotion of Cîroc vodka and DeLeón tequila. The joint statement obtained by PEOPLE confirmed that “Diageo and Mr. Combs have no ongoing business relationship.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams told PIX11 that he and the city’s committee are considering whether to revoke Combs’ key to NYC, awarded in 2023. “I think all of us were deeply disturbed by watching that chilling video of the young lady being assaulted by him,” Adams said. “We’ve never rescinded a key before, but we are now sitting down to see what the next steps forward are going to be.”
Following the release of the assault footage, Combs stepped down as chairman of Revolt TV, a media company he co-founded in 2013. Revolt issued a statement on Instagram saying, “We are deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent video circulation of our former chairman, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. Revolt stands in solidarity with all who have been a victim of abuse and remain committed to upholding the values and integrity our community expects from us. We vehemently stand against any form of domestic abuse and will always be a fearless advocate for truth and accountability.”
Source: People.com
