Following the emergence of a 2016 video depicting her being physically abused by her ex-husband, rapper and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, American singer and actress Casandra Ventura, popularly known as Cassie, has made her first public statements.
On Thursday, May 23, 2024, Cassie, 37, released a statement on Instagram, expressing her thanks for all of the love and support she has received from her family, friends, strangers and those she has yet to meet.
“The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is only the beginning. Domestic violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become”.
“With a lot of hard work, I am better today. But I will always be recovering from my past. Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to take this matter seriously. My only ask is that everyone open your heart to believing victims the first time”.
“It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth out of a situation that you’re powerless in. This healing journey is never ending but this support means everything to me. Thank you. Love always, Cassie”.
The singer also lent her support to domestic violence victims who are still living in fear and encouraged them to speak up and break free.
In a now-settled lawsuit filed in November 2024, Cassie first accused Diddy of raping and sex-trafficking her over 10 long years.
Diddy, 54, denied the allegations with his attorney calling them “offensive and outrageous.”
In a statement obtained by PEOPLE on December 6, 2024, Diddy publicly debunked Cassie’s claims. “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH”, he wrote. “For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,”
The rapper, however, had a change of tone after CNN released security footage on May 17, 2024, purportedly showing Diddy kicking, dragging, and throwing objects at Cassie when she attempted to leave a hotel room while he was sleeping.