'Zero for the effort': Diddy slammed over 'apology' after hotel footage of Cassie Ventura assault released

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is apologizing for his “inexcusable” behavior after the shocking video of him allegedly abusing his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura surfaced recently.

On Friday, May 17, CNN released the surveillance video footage where the Bad Boy Records founder can reportedly be seen shoving and kicking his then-girlfriend.

Even though Ventura filed a lawsuit against Diddy in November 2023 accusing him of the abuse, until recently, the music mogul denied all the allegations and maintained innocence.

Diddy apologizes for his 'inexcusable' behavior

Diddy has broken his silence about the abuse allegations that gained traction following the surfacing of the hotel video, per New York Post.

In an Instagram video posted on Sunday, May 19, the 54-year-old record producer said, “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that.”

Though he did not name Ventura in the video, the ‘Last Night’ singer referred to the surveillance footage, and said, “I was f***ed up. 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, I’m disgusted,” added the music mogul whose two properties were raided recently by Homeland Security in a sex trafficking probe.

The ‘Coming Home’ star continued, “I was disgusted then when I did it and I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help, started going to therapy and rehab, had to ask god for his mercy and grace.”

Cassie Ventura’s lawyer slams Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

Diddy’s apology was met with criticism, with Ventura’s lawyer, Meredith Firetog, leading the charge.

Firetog slammed Diddy's apology and said, “Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday.”

The lawyer added, “That he was only compelled to ‘apologize’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”

The horrifying video - released by CNN - was captured in a surveillance camera of the now-closed InterContinental Hotel on March 5, 2016. 

In the footage, Diddy can be seen running after Ventura and grabbing her by the back of her neck. He is later seen shoving her to the floor and kicking her twice as she lies on the floor.

He is also seen hurling an object at Ventura.

Ventura, who dated Diddy on and off from 207 to 2018, filed a lawsuit against Diddy in November 2023 accusing the rapper of years of violence and sexual abuse.

In the lawsuit, she also described the March 2016 incident and wrote that on the day of the attack Diddy became “extremely intoxicated and punched Ms Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye.”

Ventura tried to leave when Diddy fell asleep. But he woke up and allegedly “followed her into the hallway of the hotel while yelling at her.” 

The lawsuit continued, “He grabbed at her, and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw them at her, causing glass to crash around them as she ran to the elevator to escape.”

Though she got away, she feared his wrath and came back to the hotel to apologize for running away. 

The suit continued, “Upon realizing that her running away would cause Mr. Combs to be even angrier with her, and completely stuck in his vicious cycle of abuse, Ms. Ventura returned to the hotel with the intention of apologizing for running away from her abuser.”

“When she returned, hotel security staff urged her to get back into a cab and go to her apartment, suggesting that they had seen the security footage showing Mr. Combs beating Ms. Ventura and throwing glass at her in the hotel hallway,” read the suit.

Diddy is also accused of paying the hotel $50K to suppress the footage.

Internet slams Diddy for his 'apology' video

Internet, however, is not impressed with Diddy's apology. They accused the 'Bad Boy for Life' singer of apologizing only because the abuse video came out to the world. 

One social media user wrote on his post, "How you sorry for something you denied happened? You sorry you got exposed."

Someone else added, "I can only imagine what happened to her after you dragged her back into the room. 😢."

Another disgruntled fan shared, "Facts he never would've apologized had it not come to light. This is just him and his team playing "cleanup crew"."

Someone else pointed out, "And didn’t say her name or even mention her. He gets a zero for the effort.😒."

Meanwhile, another netizen added, "Scumbag is the only word for him there are no excuses for what he did and I hope he goes down for along time he is a liar from the get go."

"THIS. If he did that in public imagine what he did behind closed doors," thought someone else.

Another slammed him, by saying, "You’re not asking for forgiveness because you meant to do what you did at that time, and you’re truly “sorry”, for your actions being displayed in 2024. Deuces."

"I don't believe he is sorry... he is sorry because we all saw the horrible video," propounded someone else.

Someone else declared, "You’re not sorry. You’re sorry you got caught."

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