The surveillance footage was instrumental in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' admission of guilt.

Unveiling the truth: The surveillance footage that proved Diddy's involvement.

Around 1pm ET on a Friday, CNN posted a video that showed Combs aggressively pushing, yanking, and kicking Ventura during a fight. The incident corresponded with claims in a federal lawsuit filed by Ventura in November. Before the video's release, Combs, an influential figure in the music industry who started the label Bad Boy in 1993, had yet to respond to inquiries for comment.

For almost two days, Combs remained silent as criticism ramped up—including in the comments section of his past social media posts—and a media whirlwind ensued.

Shortly after 11am ET on a Sunday, Combs posted a video on Instagram in which he expressed regret for an event he'd previously denied ever happening.

"It's tough to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you've got to do that," Combs said in the Instagram video. "I was messed up—I hit rock bottom—but I take no excuses. What I did in that video is inexcusable."

He expanded: "I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I'm disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now."

Ventura's lawyer, Meredith Firetog, sent out a statement on Sunday after the apology was made public: "Combs' latest statement is more about him than the many people he's hurt. When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were simply after cash. The fact that he only apologized when his denials were exposed as false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words."

Combs originally dismissed the allegations in Ventura's November lawsuit, in which she claimed she was raped in 2018 and experienced years of physical and other abuses by Combs.

He's also denied all the allegations in the five other civil cases that were brought against him after Ventura's suit. His lawyer referred to the accusations as "lies" and implied the accusers were driven by monetary gains and notoriety.

Considering Combs' prominence in the entertainment industry, his repeated denials attracted greater attention. Credited with work that aided the rise of the hip-hop genre, he has won three Grammys and operates under the Combs Global umbrella.

In his statement, Combs also said he "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," he said. "But I'm planning to become a better man, day after day."

The November Lawsuit

In November, Ventura accused Combs of rape and mistreatment in a 35-page complaint.

The lawsuit described several incidents of Combs using violence against Ventura and forcing her to sleep with other men while they were together.

One of these episodes was said to have unfolded in "early 2016" at the forward-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. The complaint alleged Combs got so drunk that he punched Ventura in the face, causing her a black eye.

Once he dozed off, Ventura attempted to leave the hotel room. But he woke up and "followed her into the hotel hallway yelling at her," the lawsuit charged. She tried to leave, but Combs chased her.

"He grabbed at her, and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw them at her, causing shattered glass to fly around them as she ran to the elevator to escape," the complaint said.

Eventually, Ventura retrieved a cab and returned to her apartment. However, she attempted to go back to the hotel to apologize to her abuser. According to the complaint, hotel security personnel urged her to go back home, telling her they'd witnessed footage of Combs beating Ventura and breaking glasses in the hallway.

The lawsuit also asserted that Combs paid the InterContinental Century City $50,000 to get the footage.

When CNN reached out to the InterContinental Hotels group, a representative said they no longer had access to previous incident records or footage.

Ventura, a singer who once signed with Combs' label, alleged in her complaint that he abused his power and influence over her during their professional and romantic relationship. She was 19 when they met, with Combs being 37. Their business connection lasted until 2019, and their relationship stretched from 2007 to 2018.

Ben Brafman, who represents Combs, said in a statement to CNN on the day following Ventura's lawsuit filing, "Combs strongly denies these offensive and unbelievable allegations." The suit ended the next day. Brafman spoke to CNN again, emphasizing the resolution was not an admission of guilt. The lawyer expressed his client's intention to settle amicably and wished Ventura well.

The settlement's terms remained undisclosed. Since November, Combs had faced five lawsuits accusing him of various wrongdoings. Combs denied those claims, and all cases were still active.

Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura are seen in security video in 2016.

On December 6, 2023, Combs refuted the accusations on his Instagram. He called the situation "sickening" and denied the alleged offenses. Even though comments were disabled, he insisted he's innocent.

CNN released surveillance footage from March 5, 2016 that may have captured the incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City mentioned in Ventura's complaint. The video showed Combs chasing and assaulting Ventura in the hallway. She picked up her belongings after he left. His agent, Wigdor, praised Ventura's courage and fortitude.

Following CNN's publication of the video, Ventura received support online for her bravery in raising awareness about domestic violence. Former Danity Kane groupmate, Aubrey O'Day, condemned Combs and encouraged witnesses to come forward.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office addressed the situation, expressing their disgust over the footage. While they weren't able to prosecute Combs for the 2016 incident, they invited victims to contact them for support. The LAPD acknowledged the video's existence but had no open investigation against Combs.

The Surveillance Footage

CNN released the surveillance footage on Friday, consisting of multiple camera angles from March 5, 2016 allegedly showing the incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City mentioned in Ventura's complaint.

This video was verified through publicly available photos of the hotel's interior. In the recordings, Ventura exits a room and heads towards the elevators, followed by Combs in a towel. After grabbing her neck, he pushes her to the floor, kicks her twice, and eventually drags her towards a room before leaving. Ventura stands up, retrieves her items, and picks up a phone. Combs returns, and may be seen pushing her again. Finally, he grabs something and throws it toward her as someone exits an elevator.

Ventura refused to comment on the video. Ventura's other lawyer, Douglas H. Wigdor, issued a statement on Friday, saying, "The chilling video validates the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. It is impossible to fathom the strength and bravery Ventura has shown in sharing her story."

Online Reactions

Ventura gained a lot of support on social media after the release of the video, as many speech-mimicking the phrase "her story." People highlighted her bravery as an example to support other victims of domestic violence. Meanwhile, Combs faced backlash from numerous online users.

Aubrey O'Day, former Danity Kane member and once another one of Combs' proteges, shared her thoughts on her X page, "I thought the image was getting clearer and clearer for all of you."

This controversy dates back to "Making the Band," where Combs created Danity Kane in 2005. O'Day often slammed Combs previously.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office acknowledged the disturbing video and promised support for victims. However, due to the footage recording being in 2016, prosecution against Combs was not possible.

The LAPD was aware of the video but didn't have an open case against Combs. They didn't respond to CNN's question regarding a filed report. [paragraphs combined to reduce text length]

CNN published surveillance videos from multiple angles in March 2016 allegedly capturing Combs' attack at Century City's InterContinental Hotel. Ventura left the room and walked to the elevators, pursued by Combs in a towel. He pulled her by the neck, threw her to the floor, kicked her twice, dragged her into a room briefly, then left. She gathered her things and picked up a phone. Combs reappeared, possibly shoving Ventura, then sat down, grabbed an item, and cast it at her.

Ventura declined to comment, while Wigdor praised her for her courage to tell her story.

The online community, as well as Danity Kane's Aubrey O'Day, backed Ventura. The DA's Office expressed disgust at the tape and encouraged victims to reach out for support.

Although the footage is from 2016, prosecution was impossible for Combs. The LAPD confirmed the video’s existence but had no open case involving the rapper.

On a Friday, Alex Fine - a personal trainer and Ventura's spouse - shared what appeared to be a reaction to the surveillance footage via a "letter to women and children" on Instagram. In his caption, he mentioned that he composed this letter "some time ago but the words still hold true, not just today but every day."

"Men who hit women aren't real men. Men who support and shield those individuals aren't men," Fine penned in the letter. "As men, violence against women shouldn't be a given situation. Check on your brothers, friends, and family. Our daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives should feel safe and cherished. Treat the women in your life with utmost respect. Men who harm women detest women."

Fine and Ventura have been married since 2019, and they share two daughters.

The letter concluded with Fine sharing the phone number of the National Domestic Violence hotline, adding, "to the abusers, your days of safety and anonymity are over."