Sean “Diddy” Combs has deleted all of his Instagram posts, including an apology video he shared in May, after hotel security footage surfaced of the music mogul assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
On Thursday, all posts were removed from Combs’ verified account, which is followed by about 20 million Instagram users. The account remains active, and no changes have been made to Combs’ profile photo or biography.
Combs, 54, has not publicly explained why she decided to clear her Instagram feed. TMZ reports, Fox News Digital confirmed through sources that the rapper’s only motivation was to reset his social media profile, something he has done in the past.
Sean “Diddy” Combs has deleted all of his Instagram posts. (Dia Dipaspil/Getty Images)
TMZ’s source said the action was not directed at Ventura or anyone else, and the outlet added that Combs stands by the statements he made in his apology video.
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TMZ’s sources said the video was picked up by media outlets around the world and broadcast around the world, and that the outlet was told that its decision to remove the video and Combs’ other posts was not intended to disavow anything he said in the video.
Sources also told TMZ that removing the posts was not a strategic move made by Combs in coordination with his team, but rather a spontaneous decision made by the Bad Boys Records founder.
The rapper’s account, which is followed by 20 million Instagram users, was deleted on Thursday. (Sean Diddy Combs’ Instagram)
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On November 16, Ventura filed a federal lawsuit against Combs accusing him of physical and sexual abuse, but the following day the parties reached an out-of-court settlement and Ventura dropped the lawsuit.
CNN announced The surveillance footage from May 17, 2016, supported part of a lawsuit Ventura filed against the entertainment mogul in November.
The video shows Combs, wearing only socks and a towel around his waist, brutally beating Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway.
Two days after the video was released, Combs apologized on camera in a now-deleted Instagram post, but did not name Ventura.
“It’s very difficult to look back on the darkest times of my life, but sometimes it has to be done. I was at my worst. I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses,” he said. “My behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”
Combs said, “I felt disgusted at the time I committed the crimes and I still feel disgusted today. I sought professional help and began going to therapy and rehab.”
“I had to pray for God’s mercy and grace. I am truly sorry. But I try to be a better person every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I am truly sorry.”
The deleted posts also included an apology video that Combs shared in May after hotel security footage surfaced of the music mogul assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. (Sean Combs’ Instagram)
However, Combs’ apology video was criticized by Ventura’s legal team.
“Mr. Combs’ recent comments are less about himself than they are about the many people he has hurt,” Meredith Firetog, a partner at law firm Wigdor LLP, which is representing Ventura, told Fox News Digital.
“When Kathy and several other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested the victims were only interested in his money. That he was forced to ‘apologise’ only after his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation. No one will be moved by his insincere words.”
Combs is currently facing five lawsuits alleging sexual assault, sex trafficking, abuse and other misconduct. He denies all the allegations against him.
In May, former fashion student April Lampros filed a lawsuit against Combs in New York, alleging that she was sexually assaulted throughout the 1990s.
Combs is also being sued by Liza Gardner, Jane Doe Joy Dickerson Neal and a music producer. Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones.
Kathy Ventura filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against Combs in November, but the case was settled the next day. (Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, Combs’ posts on X (formerly Twitter) have not been deleted, although his last update on the platform was on February 4th.
But a Dec. 6 post in which Combs defended himself against the allegations in a lawsuit filed last fall remains pinned to the top of his X Page.
“Enough is enough,” he wrote.
“For the past few weeks, I have sat in silence and watched as people tried to smear my character and destroy my reputation and legacy. Sickening accusations have been made against me by people looking to make a quick buck,” Combs continued.
“I want to be clear: I have not done any of the terrible things that have been alleged. I will fight for my reputation, my family and the truth.”
