Sean Diddy Combs accused of rape and abuse by Cassie in lawsuit

Cassie accused Sean "Diddy" Combs of yearslong abuse and rape, including beatings, drug use, and forced sex with other men.

Sean "Diddy" Combs has been accused in a lawsuit of subjecting R&B singer Cassie to a yearslong abusive relationship. The suit, filed in New York federal court, alleges that Combs brought Cassie into his "ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle" when she was 19 and he was 37. According to the suit, Combs began a pattern of abuse as soon as their relationship started, subjecting Cassie to "savage" beatings, drug use, and forcing her to have sex with other men while he filmed them. The suit also alleges that in 2018, Combs forced Cassie into her home and raped her. Cassie said in a statement that she is finally ready to speak up for herself and for other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships. Combs' attorney has called the allegations "lies" and accused Cassie of demanding $30 million from Combs under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship. Combs and Cassie had an on-and-off relationship for more than a decade, during which time Cassie became known for her hit single "Me & U" and appeared in several television and film projects. Combs, a three-time Grammy winner, has worked with numerous top-tier artists and built a hip-hop empire, including the fashion clothing line Sean John and the Revolt TV channel. This year, he released his fifth studio album, which earned two Grammy nominations. The lawsuit cites a speech Combs gave at the BET Awards in 2022, in which he thanked Cassie for "holding me down in the dark times, love." However, the suit alleges that the truth is that Cassie was held down by Combs and endured over a decade of his violent behavior and disturbed demands.