Diddy Was Once Asked if Cassie Felt Uneasy Going Nude in His Ad — His Response Raised Eyebrows
Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie Ventura’s long-running relationship was once viewed by many as a high-profile music industry romance. However, it came under intense public scrutiny following Ventura’s allegations of years-long abuse. In a 2023 lawsuit that was quickly settled out of court, Ventura accused Combs of physical violence, coercive control, and repeated sexual abuse during their time together. Now, we’re looking back at Combs’ fragrance video that Ventura starred in. Here’s what he said at the time regarding how Ventura felt about appearing nude in the video.
Andy Cohen asked Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs about how Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura felt being nude in his fragrance video
After more than a decade together, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s split in 2018 initially appeared amicable. However, Ventura’s 2023 lawsuit pulled back the curtain on what she described as a deeply toxic and violent relationship. Her detailed accusations painted a picture of emotional manipulation, isolation, and physical abuse that spanned much of their time together. Ventura later decided she would testify against Combs using her name in his May 2025 criminal trial.
In 2016, Combs visited Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live to discuss his ad for his fragrance, 3AM. The advertisement features Ventura in the nude as she and Combs engage in passionate kissing. Cohen asked Combs whether Ventura felt uncomfortable appearing nude for the advertisement.
“Did Cassie object at all to any of the nudity, or she was totally cool with it?” Cohen asked.
“Cassie — she’s from Europe,” Combs answered, not directly answering the question. ” … It’s just like, when you’ve been a model, and you’re doing it for the art … it was done for the art. It really wasn’t done for the commerce. It was done more for the art side of it.”
Combs added that he hoped the ad could “sell a lifestyle,” and he knew Ventura could perfectly deliver the message. “This is what I authentically do,” he said. “I just wanted to roll the cameras and show just what an exciting time we have.”
The hip-hop mogul said the content in the video ‘pushes the envelope’
When Sean “Diddy” Combs released his ad for his 3AM fragrance, nobody could stop talking about him and Casandra “Cassie” Ventura. In 2015, he told USA Today that the ad “pushes the envelope.”
“I don’t just launch brands, I launch lifestyles. My company makes lifestyles. Fragrance is a lifestyle — 3AM is a lifestyle. The making of the commercial went like any other commercial. The thing that’s different is the content — it pushes the envelope. But it’s done in a very tasteful way.”
In another interview with Style.com, Combs commented on the “racy and provocative” nature of the ad.
“I think if people hear about the video, they’re going to hear that it’s racy and provocative, but I also think they’re going to hear people say that it’s beautiful,” he said at the time, according to Jezebel. “That whole interaction has nothing to do with sex as much as it has to do with love. My concept is that love is the new sexy.”
Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs answered questions about 3AM at the Met Gala
Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and Sean “Diddy” Combs attended the Met Gala together in 2015. André Leon Talley interviewed the couple and mentioned the fragrance ad for 3AM.
“I can’t wait to see 3AM — the controversy,” interviewer André Leon Talley said. “How can we get a tape of this?”
“I’m going to send it to you!” Combs told Talley with his hand on his shoulder. “I will email it to you!”
Talley commended Combs for “crushing the glass ceiling.”
“I’m blessed to be in this industry,” Combs said, “and I just try to blend it with my artistry.”
Ventura didn’t say how she felt about the advertisement.
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
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