Diddy Confirms He's OK Amid Cassie Assault Video Release; Shares Message Of 'Love'
Sean "Diddy" Combs stepped out in Florida Sunday in his first public sighting since the disturbing footage of him beating his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura surfaced.
TMZ obtained a video of Combs going on a stroll in his Miami neighborhood with two associates Sunday.
The hip-hop mogul was dressed casually in a white T-shirt, matching hat, beige shorts and dark brown slides.
He accessorized the outfit with a gold watch and medallion featuring a childhood photo of himself and his father.
Read also: Netizens Think Diddy Already Left Country Amid Viral Cassie Assault Video: 'Very Non-Extraditable'
Asked by a reporter if he was doing OK in the wake of the video of him and Ventura, Combs confirmed that he was by giving the camera a thumbs up.
"Have a good Sunday," the rapper told the reporter.
At one point, Combs was asked if he was sorry for his actions in the footage.
The Bad Boy Records boss did not directly address the video; instead, he used his fingers to make the shape of the letter "L" and responded, "Love."
Calls for Combs to be arrested or punished increased over the weekend after CNN published Friday a 2016 surveillance video showing him grabbing, shoving, dragging and kicking Ventura in a hotel.
Hours later, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said in a statement that Combs cannot be charged over it because "the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted."
On Sunday, Combs took to Instagram to apologize for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, calling his behavior "inexcusable."
"I take full responsibility for my actions in that video," he said in a video message.
"I was disgusted then when I did it. I'm disgusted now," Combs continued. "I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I'm so sorry. But I'm committed to be a better man each and every day. I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm truly sorry."
This came five months after Combs vehemently denied the allegations made by Ventura in her now-settled lawsuit against him.
Ventura's lawyer Meredith Firetog slammed Combs over his apology video, noting that it was "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," the attorney said in a statement to CNN. "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."
In addition to physical abuse, Combs faces allegations of sexual assault, rape, harassment and sex trafficking from at least four other women and one man.
His homes in Miami and Los Angeles were raided by federal agents in March as part of a sex trafficking investigation.
Combs denied any wrongdoing in connection with those lawsuits and raids.
