Cassie Speaks Out For The First Time After Diddy Apology Video

Cassie has finally spoken out about the shocking footage of Diddy assaulting her in a hotel in 2016.

The R&B singer released a statement on Instagram on Thursday (May 23) addressing both the brutal attack and the overwhelming support she has received since the video emerged last week.

“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,” she wrote.

“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, who sued ex-boyfriend Diddy for rape, domestic violence, and sex trafficking last November, also urged doubters and critics to believe victims of abuse when they come forward.

“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,” she continued. “It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth about a situation you were powerless in.

“I offer my hand to those still living in fear. Reach out to your people, don’t cut them off. No one should carry this weight alone. This healing journey is never-ending, but this support means everything to me. Thank you. Love Always, Cassie.”

The video, obtained by CNN on Friday (May 17), shows Diddy brutally assaulting Cassie in a hallway of the since-closed InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles in March 2016.

The footage shows the Bad Boy boss running out of his hotel room wearing only a towel, throwing Cassie to the floor as she waits for an elevator, then kicking and stomping her before dragging her back to his room. The CCTV also captures him pushing her against a wall as she tries to use a hotel phone and throwing a vase at her.

The video appears to support Cassie’s account in her sexual assault lawsuit, which was quickly settled for an undisclosed sum the day after it was filed.

Following several other lawsuits filed against him, Diddy vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as attempts to “assassinate” his character and earn a “quick payday.”

After the footage of his attack on Cassie was made public, however, the 54-year-old mogul acknowledged the incident and apologized for his behavior.

“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was messed up — I mean, I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses,” he said in a somber clip posted on Instagram.

“My behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”

He added: “I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to being a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”

The apology has been widely criticized, with Cassie’s lawyer Meredith Firetog calling it “disingenuous.”

“Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt,” Firetog said in a statement. “When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday.

“That he was only compelled to ‘apologize’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”