Sean “Diddy” Combs might not be behind bars today if not for the bravery of his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura. In November 2023, Cassie, now 33, filed a lawsuit accusing the hip hop mogul, 54, of rape, sex trafficking, and domestic violence during their decade-long relationship.
Though the lawsuit was settled quietly the next day, it triggered a series of events leading to Diddy’s arrest and current legal troubles. A source close to Cassie told People Magazine that her bravery “can’t be underscored enough.”
The insider added, “It was terrifying in a very real way. There have been so many people protecting Diddy for so long, and it’s not an exaggeration to say her life was in danger through all this.” Cassie and Diddy ended their relationship in 2018, and Cassie moved on to marry Alex Fine, with whom she has two daughters: Frankie, 4, and Sunny, 3. Since filing her lawsuit, Cassie has leaned heavily on her family as more evidence surfaced, exposing the abuse she endured during her time with Diddy.
In May, video footage emerged showing Diddy physically abusing Cassie in 2016, corroborating the claims in her lawsuit. Following this, Cassie released her first official statement, emphasizing that “this is only the beginning” and declaring, “Domestic violence is THE issue.” She added, “This healing journey is never-ending, but this support means everything to me.”
Diddy, founder of Bad Boy Records, was arrested on Monday, September 16, 2024. He now faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. His arrest followed months of investigations after Cassie’s initial lawsuit encouraged other victims to come forward, further strengthening the case against him.
Cassie’s courage has sparked a wider conversation about abuse within the music industry, as her decision to speak out has led to a reckoning for one of hip hop’s most powerful figures.