Cassie Thanks Supporters Amid 2016 Diddy Assault Video Release: 'It Takes A Lot Of Heart To Tell The Truth'
Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura is acknowledging all the love and support she has received since the release of the disturbing March 5, 2016, surveillance video of Diddy assaulting her in the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. The video, which was provided by CNN, shows the "Me & U" singer leaving a hotel room that she shared with Diddy. As she makes her way to the elevator, the Bad Boy founder is seen running up behind her in a bath towel and dragging her to the floor. He also kicks her while she is on the ground and, later, throws glass vases at her. The video went viral, and Diddy has since apologized in an Instagram video, captioning it, "I'm truly sorry."
Cassie recently made a statement on Instagram addressing the video as well as her supporters. The statement reads, "Thank you for all of the love and support from my family, friends, strangers and those I have yet to meet. The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is only the beginning. Domestic violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from my past."
She continues, "Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to take this matter seriously. My only ask is that EVERYONE open your heart to believing victims the first time. It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth out of a situation that you were powerless in. I offer my hand to those that are still living in fear. Reach out to your people, don't cut them off. No one should carry this weight alone."
Cassie ends her statement by noting her healing journey saying that it's "never ending," and how much she appreciates the support.
Last week, Cassie's husband, Alex Fine, wrote an open letter addressing women and children who encounter domestic violence.
"Wrote this awhile back but the words ring true not just today but everyday. I want my kids and every kid to live in a world that’s safe for women and girls, protects them and treats them as equals. To the women and children, you’re not alone, and you are heard. if you need help call the domestic violence hotline at (800) 799-7233," he wrote in the Instagram caption.
The hotel surveillance video follows the lawsuit the "Official Girl" singer filed against Diddy in November. In the lawsuit, she accused the mogul of drugging her, physical abuse, forcing her to engage in sexual acts with male prostitutes, and rape. It even mentions the hotel incident that was shown in the video. The lawsuit was settled one day after filing.
Since then others have accused Diddy of assault, among other things. We will continue to uplift Cassie and her family as she braves her past.
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Feature image by Johnny Nunez/WireImage
London Alexaundria is the contributing editor for xoNecole. She is an alum of Clark Atlanta University, where she majored in Mass Media Arts and has worked in journalism for over ten years. You can follow her on Instagram and TikTok @theselfcarewriter
Skylar Marshai Talks Hair Reset With SheaMoisture Bond Repair 'Revive & Thrive' Campaign
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
Skylar Marshai is known for her extravagant style, and her hair is no exception. But now, she’s giving her hair a break and focusing on hair care with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection. “I feel like my hair has always been an extension of my storytelling because I know it's so innately linked to my self-expression that I've been thinking a lot about how my love for crafting my hair into these different forms and shapes has honestly never given it a chance to just be,” Skylar explains.
“So for the next few weeks, I will be wearing my natural hair out.” The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is infused with AminoBlend and HydroPlex technology, scientifically proven to make hair 6x stronger with 84% less breakage by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds (vs. non-conditioning shampoo). That’s why it's the perfect hair reset for Skylar.
“It's been a long, long time since I've worn my natural curls. I haven’t nurtured it in its natural form so I’m scared of breakage, of it being dry, of it being damaged,” she admits. “I do feel like my hair is in good hands because I will be using the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection and it’s known for repairing damaged hair making it smoother, making it stronger like all of these very real concerns I have.”
Thanks to the unique blend of Amino Blend Complex (fortifying amino acids), Amla oil, and fair-trade shea butter used in each product, the hair will become visibly healthier after just one use. That’s because the collection focuses on repairing and reviving dry, damaged hair due to color, protective styles, heat, and more. This 4-step system, which includes Bond Repair Shampoo, Bond Repair Conditioner, Bond Repair Masque, and Bond Repair Leave-in, also enhances weakened hair bonds to reduce future breakage.
Skylar shows us how she uses the collection and it’s giving big, beautiful, healthy hair. “So I think it's gonna be some beauty to allowing my hair to rest,” she says. When it comes to styling, the influencer is “just gonna let Mother Nature do her thing.” Learn more about the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection below.
Step One: Bond Repair Shampoo
Rejuvenate your hair with SheaMoisture Bond Repair Shampoo, your go-to solution for luscious locks. Packed with hella hydration power, this shampoo adds moisture by 60% while removing buildup without stripping your strands. This shampoo gently cleanses impurities while significantly enhancing shine, smoothness, and softness.
The Bond Repair Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are infused with the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex, Shea Moisture’s technology that rebuilds hair strength at its core.
Step Two: Bond Repair Conditioner
Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Conditionerdeeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
Step Three: Bond Repair Masque
This Ultra Moisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
Step Four: Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner
Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Feature image by @skylarmarshai/ Instagram
Tyla Addresses Conversation About Her Racial Identity: 'Never Denied My Blackness'
Since Tyla became an international star following the success of "Water," there has been an ongoing conversation about her racial identity. The South African-born artist has shared that she considers herself "coloured," which is a term South Africans use to describe people who are of mixed race. However, it seems her words were taken out of context to mean that she doesn't identify as a Black woman. Also, because the word "colored" has a racist history in the U.S., a lot of Black people were outraged by her using that word to describe herself.
The conversation was brought up again after the Grammy award-winning artist's The Breakfast Club episode dropped on Thursday. Charlamagne Tha God asked her about the controversial topic, and her team immediately interjected. (It was also implied that The Breakfast Club hosts were given a list of topics to stay away from, but it appears Charlamagne ignored it.) Tyla ultimately didn't answer the question but later put out a statement on X, formerly Twitter, after the clip made its rounds on social media.
"Yoh guys," she started. "Never denied my blackness, idk where that came from... I'm mixed with black/Zulu, irish, Mauritian/Indian and Coloured. In Southa I would be classified as a Coloured woman and other places I would be classified as a black women. Race is classified differently in different parts of the world."
She continued, "I don't expect to be identified as Coloured outside of Southa by anyone not comfortable doing so because i understand the weight of that word outside of SA, But to close this conversation, I'm both Coloured in South Africa and a black women...
"As a woman for the culture. It's and not or... with that being said ASAMBEEE"
Asambe is Zulu for "let's go!"
No matter who we are or where we are, it's important to educate ourselves about what we don't know versus condemning others for being different. Hopefully, this will be Tyla's last time having to explain her race and ethnicity publicly.
Tyla Speaks On Breaking In America, Dance Inspiration, Kai Cenat + More
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