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Mia Khalifa is shading Sean "Diddy" Combs on social media, after the rapper was accused of rape and physical abuse by his ex-girlfriend Cassie.
Cassandra Ventura—best known by her stage name "Cassie"—filed a suit in Manhattan Federal Court on Thursday, claiming the 54-year-old repeatedly beat and raped her throughout their 10-year relationship.
The singer, 37, has also accused Combs—also known as "Puff Daddy" and "Brother Love"—of using his industry connections to keep her from leaving him, describing the relationship as "a cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking." Aday after the filing, on November 17, the pair settled amicably out of court.
Ahead of the settlement, Combs' attorney Ben Brafman told Newsweek: "Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.
"For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura's persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail.
"Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs' reputation and seeking a pay day."
Taking to social media to share her thoughts on the lawsuit, former adult film star Mia Khalifa reposted a Rolling Stone article on the topic, praising the outlet's coverage of the case.
"Rolling Stone is the first publication I've seen to not use a photo of them like a seemingly happy couple, subtly contradicting her claims in their post's text, and I think that speaks volumes to narrative control by the media," she wrote on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter.
The 30-year-old also reposted a comment addressing the rumors that read: "Everybody I know got a suspect story about Puff," along with liking several posts slamming Combs.
Newsweek has reached out to Cassie for comment via email and Mia Khalifa via Instagram.
In a statement to The New York Times, Cassie said she was finally ready to tell her story in the hopes of inspiring other women who "face violence and abuse in relationships."
Why Was Cassie Suing Diddy?
Cassie reportedly met Combs in 2005, when the R&B star was signed to the music mogul's Bad Boy record label. They were first romantically linked in 2007, when Cassie was 21 years old and Combs was 39, with the music icon reportedly pursuing the singer "aggressively."
According to the lawsuit, Cassie felt unable to reject his advances due to the influence Combs had on the industry, and accused the record executive of pushing her into an "ostentatious, fast-paced and drug-fueled lifestyle."
The lawsuit details years of threats, attacks and coerced sexual encounters, with Cassie alleging that Combs introduced her to drugs and took control of her career and personal life. This reportedly included forcing the "Me and You" singer into sexual encounters with male prostitutes, which Combs purportedly recorded on camera, and Cassie having to spend weeks hiding in hotels while she healed following his beatings.
"Throughout their relationship Mr Combs was prone to uncontrollable rage, and frequently beat Ms Ventura savagely," the filing claims.
"These beatings were witnessed by Mr. Combs' staff and employees of Bad Boy Entertainment and Mr. Combs's related businesses, but no one dared to speak up against their frightening and ferocious boss."
Bad Boy Records, Epic Records, Bad Boy Entertainment and Combs Enterprises are also cited as defendants in the case.
When Cassie was linked to Kid Cudi in 2012, Combs reportedly threatened to blow up the rapper's car. According to the suit, Cudi's vehicle exploded shortly afterward. A spokesperson for Cudi supported Cassie's claims, telling The New York Times: "This is all true."
When Cassie attempted to end the relationship in 2018, she said that Combs overpowered and raped her. After the alleged attack, Cassie moved out of the house that Combs had purchased for her, returned the car he had brought her as a gift, and removed him from her life.
On Friday, a representative for Combs announced that the former couple had settled out of court.
Combs said in a statement: "We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love."
Cassie said: "I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans, and lawyers for their unwavering support."
On the news of the settlement, Brafman said: "Just so we're clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing.
"Mr. Combs' decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best."
Update 11/17/23, 08:41 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comments from Sean Combs' attorney, Ben Brafman.
Update 11/20/23, 03:10 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comments from Sean Combs' team, his attorney Ben Brafman, and to add a public statement from Cassie.
About the writer
Sophie is a Newsweek Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter based in Lincoln, UK. Her focus is reporting on film and ... Read more