Sean "Diddy" Combs, the influential hip-hop mogul, is facing a wave of condemnation from celebrities and the public following the release of a shocking video showing him brutally assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. The footage, which emerged last week, has prompted a series of reactions from stars, activists, and even Diddy's former head of security, who claims to have witnessed similar incidents of violence toward women by the rapper "four or five times."
In an interview with Piers Morgan late Monday, Roger Bonds, Diddy's former bodyguard, expressed a lack of surprise at the disturbing hotel video, stating, "It didn't surprise me when I saw it because I've seen things to this nature before." Bonds alleged that he had intervened in violent incidents involving Diddy and his ex-partners, including the late model Kim Porter, on multiple occasions. "I've seen him get physical. I've seen him get really physical, grab them up," Bonds claimed, adding that the rapper's anger seemed to stem from a "deeper" place when it came to hitting and punching women.
The release of the assault video has sparked a wave of outrage from celebrities across various industries. Supermodel Emily Ratajkowski labeled Diddy a "Monster" in a post on X, while actress and activist Alyssa Milano referenced the video as part of a broader commentary on the challenges faced by women in society. Radio personality Charlemagne the God, who had previously defended Diddy's legacy, slammed the rapper, saying, "He's not sorry, he's sorry he got caught. He's sorry that the video leaked, OK? If that video hadn't come out, he'd still be lying right now."
Other notable figures, such as Aubrey O'Day, who once worked with Diddy, and rapper 50 Cent, have also spoken out against the mogul's actions. New York City Mayor Eric Adams even suggested that he may rescind Diddy's Key to the City, which was issued to him in 2023 in recognition of his contribution to music.
In response to the mounting backlash, Diddy released a video apology on Sunday, admitting that he beat Cassie in the hotel hallway and taking "full responsibility" for his actions. "I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now," he said, adding that he had sought professional help, including therapy and rehab, in the aftermath of the incident. However, many have criticized the apology as insincere and insufficient, with Bonds suggesting that Diddy was merely saying what he thought people wanted to hear.
The assault video has also brought attention to the broader issue of domestic violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. Singer Christina Milian, a friend of Cassie's, told MailOnline that the video "sheds light that this happens more often. More often than you think." She emphasized the need for victims of domestic violence to speak up and for society to put a stop to such horrific abuse.
Cassie's husband, Alex Fine, whom she married in 2019, posted a heartfelt "Letter to women and children" on Instagram, emphasizing that "Men who hit women aren't men" and encouraging his followers to hold the women in their lives with the utmost regard. Fine's message to perpetrators of abuse was direct and uncompromising: "You're done, you're not safe anymore, you're not protected anymore. The men by your side are just as weak, you're so miserable with yourself that [death] would be considered a kindness."
As the fallout from the assault video continues, many are calling for Diddy to face consequences for his actions. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy demanded, "Throw Diddy in jail. Throw away the key. Throw away the key to whoever had this video and kept their mouth shut." The incident has also spurred intense scrutiny of Combs, with several more lawsuits filed in the following months and a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation that led authorities to raid his mansions in Los Angeles and Miami.
While Diddy has apologized for his actions in the 2016 assault video, the revelations from his former bodyguard and the strong condemnation from celebrities and the public suggest that the hip-hop mogul's reputation and career may be irreparably damaged. As the conversation around domestic violence and accountability continues, the Diddy assault video serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address and prevent such abuses of power and violence against women.
