The Latest Update On Cassie Ventura Amid The Chaos Surrounding Diddy's Arrest And Triple Indictment

BuzzFeed
·3 min read
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Warning: Discussion of rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence.

Singer Cassie is "very hopeful justice would come" amid the latest news of Sean "Diddy" Combs's arrest.

Cassie Ventura smiles while wearing a stylish faux fur coat with a geometric pattern at a public event
Rob Kim / Getty Images

Back in November 2023, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura filed a federal lawsuit against Diddy, accusing the rap mogul of rape, sex trafficking, and domestic violence. The lawsuit was settled the following day, but his legal troubles were far from over.

Cassie attends a Hollywood Reporter event, wearing a stylish corset top paired with a black skirt, holding a black clutch and smiling
Emma Mcintyre / The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

A month later, CNN aired hotel security footage from the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles that appeared to show Diddy punching and kicking Cassie and throwing her against a hotel floor as she tried to escape him.

Cassie Ventura in a short, form-fitting dress with geometric patterns, holding hands with Sean "Diddy" Combs in a three-piece suit, accompanied by a bodyguard
Gotpap / GC Images

Since Cassie's lawsuit, seven more women and two men have sued Diddy, accusing him of sexual harassment, nonconsensual pornography, sex trafficking, and rape.

Model with intricate headpiece and dramatic gown poses confidently with hand on chin

In March 2024, federal agents raided Diddy's properties in Miami and Los Angeles.

HSI police and a K-9 dog are outside a building with a brightly lit gate, and an HSI-marked vehicle with flashing lights nearby
Giorgio Viera / AFP via Getty Images

On Monday, Sept. 16, Diddy was arrested at a Manhattan hotel and charged in a three-count indictment with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty, and the judge ruled that he would be held without bail until his trial.

Sean Combs, in a puffy vest and sunglasses, is escorted by a security guard. The background shows a "Caution: Wet Floor" sign

While Diddy and his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, maintained his innocence amid these legal troubles, details from Cassie’s 2023 lawsuit closely match the graphic security footage released and his subsequent video apology.

Sean "Diddy" Combs wearing a leather jacket, several diamond necklaces, including a cross pendant, and black sunglasses

BuzzFeed reached out to a rep for Diddy for a comment.

Shareif Ziyadat / Getty Images for Sean "Diddy" Combs

According to a source obtained by People, here's where Cassie currently stands amid the latest news of Diddy's arrest. "The amount of courage it took Cassie to speak out, and be one of the first to speak out, can't be underscored enough," they said.

Taylor Hill / FilmMagic
Taylor Hill / FilmMagic

"It was terrifying in a very real way. There have been so many people protecting Diddy for so long, and it's not an exaggeration to say her life was in danger through all this."

Cassie wears a cropped Illinois t-shirt, black pants, and a red jacket draped over her shoulders
Johnny Nunez / WireImage

The source explained that the past year has been challenging for Cassie and her supportive husband of five years, Alex Fine, with whom she shares two daughters. "It's been really, really hard for her and for Alex as well, but he has been the biggest support," the source continued. "She was very hopeful that justice would come."

Cassie with Alex Fine with their child at a celebrity event; Cassie wears a white outfit and sunglasses, Alex in a black hat and suit, child in a dress
Paul Morigi / Getty Images for 1/ST

Over the past year, Cassie has maintained this perspective of hope. Following the release of the 2016 footage that showed her being physically abused, Cassie wrote in a May 23 Instagram post, "The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is only the beginning."

Cassie Ventura smiles in front of a flower wall at a VH1 "Dear Mama" event, wearing a black crop top and a stylish black and white jacket
Leon Bennett / Getty Images

"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."

Cassie walks on a city sidewalk at night, wearing a long, belted trench coat, black gloves, and pointed-toe boots
Cassie walks on a city sidewalk at night, wearing a long, belted trench coat, black gloves, and pointed-toe boots
A person wearing a full-length coat with a brick wall pattern and various graffiti designs, sunglasses, and black boots, is standing on a city street at night
A person wearing a full-length coat with a brick wall pattern and various graffiti designs, sunglasses, and black boots, is standing on a city street at night

Gotham / GC Images, Rob Kim / Getty Images

"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," she continued. "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."

BuzzFeed has reached out to reps for Cassie for comment.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center here.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, you can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat with an advocate via the website.

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