Sean "Diddy" Combs took a lot of heat over the weekend for not mentioning Cassie in the apology video he released in response to hotel surveillance footage, shared by CNN, that captured him physically abusing his ex-girlfriend.
It turns out there's a reason why Diddy didn't mention Cassie by name in his apology. According to TMZ, the couple signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) when they settled her lawsuit against Diddy in November 2023 that forbids either party from saying each other's names in public.
According to the report, Diddy wanted to mention Cassie but he couldn't due to the NDA and his lawyers reviewed the video apology to make sure he didn't break the NDA before it was approved for release.
Although he settled the lawsuit with Cassie months ago, Diddy still faces a number of other lawsuits that will go to court unless settlements are reached prior to their court dates. Diddy's lawyers are worried that he might make public statement that could be used against him in court, according to TMZ. However, it's hard to imagine that anything could be more damning than the shocking video footage showing Diddy beating, kicking and dragging Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway.
As per the NDA, Cassie has also remained silent about the recently surfaced video footage, instead allowing her lawyers to speak on her behalf.
Music Times received a statement from Cassie's lawyers on Sunday (May 19) in response to Diddy's video apology. "Combs' most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. 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," Meredith Firetog, Partner at Wigdor LLP, said.
In his apology video posted on Instagram on Sunday (May 19), Diddy said, "It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life. Sometimes you gotta do that. I was f--ked up. I mean, I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. 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."
Though Cassie was apparently forbidden to comment on Diddy's apology, her husband, Alex Fine, did release a letter addressing the situation. "Men who hit women aren't men," he wrote. "Men who enable it and protect those people aren't men. As men, violence against women shouldn't be inevitable, check your brothers, your friends, and your family. Our daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives should feel protected and loved. Hold the women in your life with the upmost regard. Men who hurt women hate women."
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