Cassie Ventura's bravery triggered the charging of Sean 'Diddy' Combs with legal allegations.
The "Me & U" artist reclaimed her narrative when she exposed decades of disturbing mistreatment accusations against her ex- boyfriend and former producer Sean "Diddy" Combs, in a lawsuit filed against him last November.
Although the lawsuit was eventually resolved, uncertainty surrounding Combs continued to grow.
"Mr. Combs' decision to settle the lawsuit in no way invalidates his outright denial of the allegations," Combs' attorney stated at the time.
Subsequently, at least nine other civil lawsuits and a federal investigation ensued. More recently, on Tuesday, Combs was indicted on federal charges related to racketeering conspiracy and human trafficking, according to the indictment, which claims he "exploited, threatened, and coerced victims" from at least 2008 until the present. Combs has pleaded not guilty.
Representatives for Ventura were contacted by CNN for comment on Combs' criminal charges, which may not have materialized had she not shared her account publicly.
A seemingly fairy-tale beginning
Born Casandra Elizabeth Ventura in New London, Connecticut, in August 1986, Ventura broke into entertainment as a model. She collaborated with producer and songwriter Ryan Leslie and released her debut album in 2006.
Ventura gained widespread popularity. Her talent and charm attracted the interest of Combs, who signed her to his Bad Boy Entertainment label.
In a 2006 interview, Ventura discussed how her family was reacting to her sudden fame.
"It happened so quickly I don’t think anyone could slow it down," she stated. "They always make sure that I'm happy and everything is alright. It's more about if I'm happy and content with what I'm doing."
The following year, Ventura became the face of Combs' fashion line, Sean John. She also explored acting and music, appearing in the dance film "Step Up 2: The Streets" and contributing a song to the movie's soundtrack.
Ventura released other singles, such as "Official Girl," featuring rapper Lil Wayne in 2008, and "Must Be Love," featuring Combs performing under one of his aliases, Puff Daddy, in 2009.
Ventura and Combs made their relationship public in 2012 and were frequently spotted at fashion shows and Hollywood events.
"Being around him is an incredibly inspiring experience," she told Madam Noire about Combs in 2013. "Starting my own empire would be fantastic."
Although she went on to release more singles, such as 2017's "Don't Play It Safe," which Pitchfork hailed as "her strongest track in nearly half a decade and arguably her proper comeback," the anticipated album produced by Combs - and her "empire" - never materialized.
Struggles and a new chapter
Despite rumors of an engagement in 2014, the pair never married. Combs shared his relationship philosophy with the New York City-based radio show "The Breakfast Club" in 2015.
"If I'm in a relationship with you, 25 percent of the time, you're going to feel like, 'Man, I hate being here, this guy, man, he cheated on me, he lied to me.' That's 25 percent," he said. "But then there's 75 percent of the time that I'm going to make you the happiest woman in the world. I'm going to be there to support your dreams. I'm going to be there to hold you, listen to you. I'm going to be there to be your best friend, and I promise you'll smile the most."
In her lawsuit, Ventura presented a dark portrait of a relationship which appeared idyllic in public. Behind closed doors, she alleged, Combs controlled every aspect of her personal life, forced her to engage in sexual activities with other men, and "introduced" her to a lifestyle of "excessive alcohol and drug abuse" that led to "severe emotional distress."
When Ventura attempted to end her relationship with Combs in 2018, she alleged that he forced his way into her home and raped her. Combs has denied her accusations.
Ventura, according to her complaint, continues to struggle with "severe emotional distress" and once checked into an inpatient rehabilitation facility following suicidal thoughts linked to her abuse.
She has since married trainer Alex Fine and shares two daughters with him.
Revealing the events that "broke" her
When Combs was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the BET Awards in 2022, he referenced Ventura in his acceptance speech.
"I'm gonna keep it real with y'all, I was in a dark place for a few years," Combs said on stage before thanking "Cassie for standing by me in the dark times. Love."
Ventura filed her lawsuit as the New York Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily removed the civil statute of limitations for survivors of sexual assault, was about to expire.
"After years of silence and darkness, I am finally ready to share my story, and to advocate for myself, and for the benefit of other women who experience violence and abuse in their relationships," Ventura said in a statement to CNN last year. "As the New York Adult Survivors Act was about to expire, I realized that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life."
Not everyone believed her story.
"It's not reliable to base things on someone saying this, someone saying that... It's tough to watch numerous individuals hoping for this guy [Combs] to fail like this," rapper Slim Thug expressed back then. "I don't want to see a Black man who reached such heights, almost reaching a billion dollars, stumble."
In May, when CNN released a surveillance tape that depicted Combs physically abusing Ventura in a 2016 Los Angeles hotel, public opinion on Ventura's accusations shifted.
"I felt revolted when I did it. I still feel repulsed now. I sought out professional help. I started attending therapy sessions, rehabilitation. I had to plead for God's mercy and grace. I'm sorry. But I'm determined to become a better man each day. I'm not seeking forgiveness. I'm genuinely sorry," Combs stated in a video posted on social media shortly after the tape was aired.
Ventura acknowledged her supporters and directed her attention to domestic violence survivors.
"Domestic Violence is the major issue. It reduced me to someone I never imagined I would become," she stated. "With great effort, I'm better today, but I'll continue recovering from my past."
"My only request is that EVERYONE opens their hearts to believing victims the first time," she concluded. "It takes a lot of courage to speak the truth in a situation where you had no power."
She no longer feels powerless.
The public release of the surveillance tape showing Combs' physical abuse towards Ventura in 2016 led to a shift in public opinion, making it harder for some to disbelieve her accusations.
Despite the challenges and controversies, Ventura's talent continued to shine in the entertainment industry, earning praise from critics for her song "Don't Play It Safe," which was hailed as her strongest track in years.
