Newly surfaced surveillance footage has reignited public backlash against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, after CNN published hotel video appearing to show him physically assaulting his former girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, back in 2016.
The footage, compiled from multiple hotel security camera angles and dated March 5, 2016, was reportedly captured at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. In it, Ventura is seen leaving a hotel room and walking toward a bank of elevators. Combs, wearing only a towel, runs down the hallway after her, grabs her by the back of the neck, and throws her to the floor. He then kicks her — twice, with several seconds between each kick — while she lies motionless. He goes on to drag her by her sweatshirt before walking away, and later appears to throw a glass object in her direction.
The incident lines up closely with allegations Ventura made in a federal lawsuit filed in November 2023, which was settled the following day. In that complaint, she alleged Combs had punched her, given her a black eye, and thrown glass vases at her in the same hotel hallway as she tried to flee. She also claimed Combs later paid the hotel $50,000 to obtain the security footage himself — a claim IHG Hotels & Resorts, which no longer manages the property, has denied any involvement in.
For nearly two days after the video surfaced, Combs stayed silent as public backlash mounted. He eventually posted an apology on Instagram, admitting the footage was authentic and calling his behavior “inexcusable,” saying he had since gone through therapy and rehab. Ventura’s attorney, Meredith Firetog, dismissed the apology as self-serving, arguing Combs only acknowledged wrongdoing once his earlier denials were disproven by video evidence.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed it was aware of the video but had no open investigation into Combs, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office noted that even if charges were considered, the statute of limitations on the 2016 incident would likely have already expired.
The video’s release didn’t happen in isolation — it came amid a wave of separate lawsuits filed against Combs by other accusers alleging sexual assault, trafficking, and other misconduct, and while he was reportedly the subject of a federal investigation that included searches of his properties. Combs has denied those additional allegations and said he intends to clear his name.
Online reaction to the footage was swift and largely unified in condemnation, with many pointing out that it took undeniable video evidence — rather than Ventura’s own account — for public opinion and Combs’ own response to shift. The moment also renewed broader conversation about how survivors of abuse are often disbelieved until proof surfaces, regardless of how public or powerful the accused may be.
The footage, compiled from multiple hotel security camera angles and dated March 5, 2016, was reportedly captured at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. In it, Ventura is seen leaving a hotel room and walking toward a bank of elevators. Combs, wearing only a towel, runs down the hallway after her, grabs her by the back of the neck, and throws her to the floor. He then kicks her — twice, with several seconds between each kick — while she lies motionless. He goes on to drag her by her sweatshirt before walking away, and later appears to throw a glass object in her direction.
The incident lines up closely with allegations Ventura made in a federal lawsuit filed in November 2023, which was settled the following day. In that complaint, she alleged Combs had punched her, given her a black eye, and thrown glass vases at her in the same hotel hallway as she tried to flee. She also claimed Combs later paid the hotel $50,000 to obtain the security footage himself — a claim IHG Hotels & Resorts, which no longer manages the property, has denied any involvement in.
For nearly two days after the video surfaced, Combs stayed silent as public backlash mounted. He eventually posted an apology on Instagram, admitting the footage was authentic and calling his behavior “inexcusable,” saying he had since gone through therapy and rehab. Ventura’s attorney, Meredith Firetog, dismissed the apology as self-serving, arguing Combs only acknowledged wrongdoing once his earlier denials were disproven by video evidence.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed it was aware of the video but had no open investigation into Combs, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office noted that even if charges were considered, the statute of limitations on the 2016 incident would likely have already expired.
The video’s release didn’t happen in isolation — it came amid a wave of separate lawsuits filed against Combs by other accusers alleging sexual assault, trafficking, and other misconduct, and while he was reportedly the subject of a federal investigation that included searches of his properties. Combs has denied those additional allegations and said he intends to clear his name.
Online reaction to the footage was swift and largely unified in condemnation, with many pointing out that it took undeniable video evidence — rather than Ventura’s own account — for public opinion and Combs’ own response to shift. The moment also renewed broader conversation about how survivors of abuse are often disbelieved until proof surfaces, regardless of how public or powerful the accused may be.
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