Celebrity News
Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura is acknowledging all the love and support she has received since the release of the disturbing March 5, 2016, surveillance video of Diddy assaulting her in the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. The video, which was provided by CNN, shows the "Me & U" singer leaving a hotel room that she shared with Diddy. As she makes her way to the elevator, the Bad Boy founder is seen running up behind her in a bath towel and dragging her to the floor. He also kicks her while she is on the ground and, later, throws glass vases at her. The video went viral, and Diddy has since apologized in an Instagram video, captioning it, "I'm truly sorry."
Cassie recently made a statement on Instagram addressing the video as well as her supporters. The statement reads, "Thank you for all of the love and support from my family, friends, strangers and those I have yet to meet. The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is only the beginning. Domestic violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from my past."
She continues, "Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to take this matter seriously. My only ask is that EVERYONE open your heart to believing victims the first time. It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth out of a situation that you were powerless in. I offer my hand to those that are still living in fear. Reach out to your people, don't cut them off. No one should carry this weight alone."
Cassie ends her statement by noting her healing journey saying that it's "never ending," and how much she appreciates the support.
Last week, Cassie's husband, Alex Fine, wrote an open letter addressing women and children who encounter domestic violence.
"Wrote this awhile back but the words ring true not just today but everyday. I want my kids and every kid to live in a world that’s safe for women and girls, protects them and treats them as equals. To the women and children, you’re not alone, and you are heard. if you need help call the domestic violence hotline at (800) 799-7233," he wrote in the Instagram caption.
The hotel surveillance video follows the lawsuit the "Official Girl" singer filed against Diddy in November. In the lawsuit, she accused the mogul of drugging her, physical abuse, forcing her to engage in sexual acts with male prostitutes, and rape. It even mentions the hotel incident that was shown in the video. The lawsuit was settled one day after filing.
Since then others have accused Diddy of assault, among other things. We will continue to uplift Cassie and her family as she braves her past.
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Feature image by Johnny Nunez/WireImage
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