Diddy is looking every bit of stressed in the first photos of the hip-hop mogul since settling his shocking rape and abuse lawsuit with his ex and former artist Cassie.
The Bad Boy founder was photographed Saturday, Nov. 18 outside his Star Island mansion in Miami, Florida speaking with his chief of staff and appearing under distress. In photos captured by TMZ, Diddy is seen sipping on a beverage while engaged in a serious talk with his longtime staffer.
At one point, his female employee, who was dressed comfortably in robe, shows Diddy a cellphone which results in him burying his head into his palms. Other photos show Diddy speaking on the phone and sitting alone on a couch while staring grimly off into the distance.
The “Last Night” rapper appeared solumn which makes sense considering the bad press he’s receiving after settling a shocking lawsuit filed by his ex and former Bad Boy artist Cassie. Diddy and Cassie, real name Cassandra Ventura, settled the New York lawsuit less than one day after it was filed, NY Times reports.
I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.” Ventura said in the statement.
“We have decided to resolve this matter amicably,” Combs said in his own statement. “I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”
In the 35-page lawsuit, Cassie called out Diddy for being a “vicious, cruel, and controlling man,” who “asserted complete control over Ms. Ventura’s personal and professional life,” after meeting her in 2005 when the singer was 19 years old and signed to his record label.
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Cassie’s suit detailed harrowing details in their on-and-off decade-long relationship thatincluded claims of physical abuse, rape, and sex trafficking where the singer was allegedly forced to engage in sexual encounters with paid male escorts that Diddy recorded and labeled as “freak offs.”
“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,” Ventura had said in a statement on Thursday.
“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.”
Among the shocking details include Diddy allegedly raping Cassie inside her apartment in 2018 after she attempted to end their relationship. Diddy “often punched, beat, kicked and stomped on Ms. Ventura, resulting in bruises, burst lips, black eyes and bleeding,” the suit says.
It also claims that in 2012 Diddy blew up rapper Kid Cudi’s car after finding out he was romantically interested in Ventura. Diddy is also accused of dangling one of Cassie’s friends over a balcony during a birthday party where he also forced her to leave early to engage in one of his “freak offs.”
Diddy vehemently denies Cassie’s allegations but did settle the suit within 24 hours of it being filed. His lawyer Ben Brafman released a statement on Friday declaring his innocence.
“Just so we’re clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing,” Brafman said.
“Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”
Despite Diddy denying the allegations, the lawsuit did enough damage and has many on social media convinced that P. Diddy/Puff Daddy/Brother Love is guilty of everything Cassie accused him of.