Legend and Combs previously collaborated on the 2023 track ‘Kim Porter’ alongside Babyface
FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY; JON KOPALOFF/GETTY
John Legend is speaking out against Sean “Diddy” Combs following a number of abuse and sex trafficking allegations levied against him — and is opening up about the abuse of women in general.
In an interview released Thursday, Legend, 45, told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that he was “horrified” at the accusations made by Combs’ ex-girlfriend Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura and a number of other women.
“I was horrified by the descriptions that I read before the video evidence came out,” Legend said during the interview on May 30. “And absolutely it’s something that needs to be brought to light when it happens.”
The “All of Me” singer added that he was “horrified by the allegations” as well as “by the video evidence that was released after that,” referring to the security camera footage from March 2016 released by CNN earlier this month that shows Combs physically attacking and throwing things at Ventura in a hotel hallway.
Ventura also referred to this same incident in her now-settled lawsuit filed last November, in which she also claimed that the music mogul raped and sex trafficked her over the course of an abusive 10 years.
AMY SUSSMAN/GETTY
“My default stance is to believe women when they make these accusations and to make sure that we do whatever we can to support women,” Legend continued, adding that he hopes these women are “heard and that any kind of accountability and reparations can be made to make these women whole again.”
“It’s quite a shame,” he finished. “I really just want accountability and hopefully some healing for all of his victims.”
Legend and Combs previously collaborated on his 2023 track “Kim Porter,” which also featured Babyface. The song is named after Combs’ late partner who died in 2018.
After the video obtained and published by CNN was made public earlier this month, Combs spoke out about the clip and seemingly apologized to Ventura.
“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life,” Combs said after the release of the video, sharing a statement via an Instagram video. “Sometimes you gotta do that. I was f—ed up. I mean I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable.”
He continued, “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”
“Disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help, 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,” Combs added.
PARAS GRIFFIN/GETTY ; DOMINIK BINDL/GETTY
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office later announced that it is “unable” to charge Combs in connection with the video, as it was filmed “beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”
“If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted,” a statement from the D.A.’s office released on May 17 read.
“As of today, law enforcement has not presented a case related to the attack depicted in the video against Mr. Combs,” it continued. “But we encourage anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report it to law enforcement or reach out to our office for support from our Bureau of Victims Services.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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