P. Diddy and ex-girlfriend Cassie settle in abuse lawsuit
Cassie alleged accounts of physical abuse, rape, and sex trafficking
WARNING: This article contains descriptions of violence, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking. Find a list of resources to help at the end of the article.
P. Diddy, real name Sean Combs, and his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura have settled a lawsuit against Combs just one day after it was filed.
Diddy was accused of rape, physical abuse, and sex trafficking by his ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, in a major lawsuit last week. The pair have now reached an agreement, although details have not been disclosed.
A joint statement between Combs and Ventura explains that she "decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control".
Last week, Ventura alleged that she was beaten by Combs on “many” occasions over the course of 10 years, where she was trapped in a “cycle of abuse and violence”.
In a lawsuit seen by the BBC and filed in New York, Combs was accused of raping and beating Ventura over their 10-year relationship, which began when she was 19 and he was 37.
She claimed that Combs, also known by his on-stage name Puff Daddy, brought her into his “ostentatious, fast-paced and drug-fuelled lifestyle" shortly after she signed to his label in 2005.
Amongst the claims, Ventura also alleged that Combs once "blew up" Kid Cudi's car after he learned that the rapper was romantically interested in Ventura, which Kid Cudi has since confirmed via a spokesperson to The New York Times.
The complainant argued that Combs "plied the vulnerable Ms Ventura with drugs and alcohol, causing her to fall into dangerous addictions that controlled her life".
"After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships,” said Ventura, now 37, in a statement.
"With the expiration of New York's Adult Survivors Act fast approaching, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life."
Ventura also claimed that she was raped at her home in 2018 towards the end of their relationship after the rapper forced his way in.
Combs denied allegations of rape, abuse, and sex trafficking, and accused the singer of attempting to extort him. His lawyer said the accusations were "offensive and outrageous".
"Ms Ventura's demand of $30m (£24m), under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail,” his lawyer argued.
"Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr Combs' reputation, and seeking a payday."
The settlement was announced by attorney Douglas Wigdor, who represents Ventura, who said: “I am very proud of Ms Ventura for having the strength to go public with her lawsuit. She ought to be commended for doing so.”
Since the pair's settlement, singer Kesha replaced a reference to P. Diddy in her song 'Tik Tok' while performing on stage, swapping his name out to sing: "Wake up in the morning feeling just like me".
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter
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