Embattled music executive Sean “Diddy” Combs continues to remain under scrutiny after CNN recently shared a video of him appearing to assault his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.
Per The Daily Beast, a repercussion the 54-year-old could face for his action is New York City Mayor Eric Adams rescinding his key to the city. Adams touched on that topic in an interview with PIX11 on Monday.
Combs, who was born in Harlem, was awarded the Key to the City of New York by Adams in 2023. The mayor’s office in a statement said Combs was awarded the key for his “decades of contributions to music and business, philanthropic support to underserved communities.”
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But skepticism regarding whether Combs is worthy of keeping that award has been raised following the release of the 2016 video. Adams’ opinion on the assault and his reaction to it also appear crucial as he has taken initiatives to protect domestic violence victims in the city.
Adams in Monday’s interview stated that he thinks “all of us were deeply disturbed by watching that chilling video of the young lady being assaulted by him.” He also emphasized that “the committee and team” have “never rescinded a key before, but we are now sitting down to see what the next steps forward are going to be.”
Adams further stated that they are “taking everything under analysis, and the team will come back to me with final determination.”
The interview with Adams came a day after Combs took to social media to issue an apology following the circulation of the video, Face2Face Africa reported. The rapper and music executive had initially denied allegations of rape and abuse from Ventura. Combs and Ventura 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.
“My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” Combs said in a video on his Instagram account. “I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” he continued.
“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.”
Ventura, 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 Ventura 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.
