Sean “Diddy” Combs returned to Instagram to celebrate the birthday of one of his daughters after he deleted all of his posts on the social media platform a month ago. As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, the embattled music executive is currently facing multiple sexual assault lawsuits after his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a similar complaint against him.
Per PEOPLE, Combs initially deleted all his Instagram posts on June 22. But he returned to the social media platform on Saturday to wish his daughter Chance a happy 18th birthday.
“My babygirl turned 18 today. I’m so proud of you Chance. I love you. @myfancychance ????⚡️✨,” he captioned alongside a photo of her and another throwback of the two of them sleeping.
Combs is said to have wiped out all his Instagram posts in June after he drew the ire of the public when CNN shared a video of him assaulting Cassie at a hotel in 2016. The deleted posts included a video of him apologizing after that video was shared.
He also posted that video after he initially denied allegations of rape and abuse from Cassie. “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” Combs said in that video. “I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”
But a close source to the 54-year-old told PEOPLE that his initial decision to wipe out his Instagram posts was “not a strategic decision.” “Mr. Combs has done this before, wiping his social media many times,” the source claimed.
“The only reason this is being picked up is because all eyes are on him currently. His statements have been widely covered by the media globally. It doesn’t take away from the statements that he made, and it also wasn’t directed at or about anybody.”
Combs and Cassie started dating in 2007 and had an on-and-off relationship for over 10 years. The American music mogul signed Cassie to his label in 2005 when she was 19 and he was 37.
Cassie, 37, initially filed a lawsuit in New York federal court alleging that Combs brought her into his “ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle” after she met him.
The lawsuit further alleged that Combs was “prone to uncontrollable rage” and physically abused her during their relationship including punching, beating, kicking and stomping on her. It alleged that Combs urged Cassie to use drugs and forced her to have sex with other men while he masturbated and filmed. The lawsuit was later dismissed after both parties reached an undisclosed settlement.
