Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Trial Reveals Why He Didn’t Say Cassie’s Name in His Infamous Instagram Apology

The trial for hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs continues into its fifth week. “Jane,” an accuser testifying against Combs using a pseudonym, noted the abuse she experienced while in a relationship with Combs. She described their dynamic as one where she was coerced into participating in sexually exploitative encounters termed “hotel nights.” During Jane’s testimony, she revealed that she was present when Combs was making his Instagram apology in light of the hotel footage of him hurting Cassie Ventura. Here’s what we know about why Combs never said Ventura’s name in the published version of that apology.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs never said Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura’s name in his Instagram apology following the hotel footage

During Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial, his ex-girlfriend, testifying under the pseudonym “Jane,” recounted being present when the 2016 hotel assault video involving Casandra “Cassie” Ventura was released. She described the atmosphere as “eerie,” with Combs immediately engaging in damage control efforts to craft a public apology. Jane criticized Combs’ subsequent Instagram video apology, labeling it as “underwhelming” and lacking genuine remorse. She noted that the apology seemed more focused on his own image than on the harm caused to his victims.

Law&Crime correspondent Elizabeth Millner spoke about what Jane revealed about Combs’ apology video. According to Millner, Jane noted that she saw a draft of Combs’ apology before he published it to Instagram. In the draft version, Combs said Ventura’s name. In the published version, he never says Ventura’s name.

So, why did Combs choose to publish an apology to Ventura without mentioning her name? During the trial, the defense said that Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, told Combs not to name her.

“Why? Because she’s going to be a grand jury witness,” Millner continued. “And she likely was a grand jury witness around this timeframe.”

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs told ‘Jane’ that the hotel incident was the only time that he and Cassie Ventura had a physical altercation

Law&Crime’s Elizabeth Millner explained how the hotel video of Sean “Diddy” Combs and Casandra “Cassie” Ventura came up several times during “Jane’s” testimony. According to Jane, Combs told her that the hotel incident was the only physical altercation he had with Ventura.

“Diddy was telling Jane about the Cassie video and really kind of going in depth about it in June/July of 2024,” Millner recalled. “[He] was explaining to Jane that this was the only time that Cassie and Diddy had a physical, violent altercation like that. And Diddy had told Jane that Cassie was actually the hitter in the situation.”

Ventura’s testimony told a different story. She described multiple instances where Combs subjected her to violent beatings, including being punched, kicked, and stomped on. This resulted in visible injuries such as bruises and a permanent scar above her eyebrow. Ventura also testified about a particularly harrowing incident in Las Vegas, where a security guard employed by Combs was so disturbed by her bloodied appearance that he broke down in tears.

‘Jane’ never looked at the hip-hop mogul during her testimony

Law&Crime’s Elizabeth Millner recounted how during “Jane’s” testimony, she never seemed to look at Sean “Diddy” Combs. Instead, she chose to keep her head down. The last time Jane saw Combs was in August 2024, and she was subpoenaed in November 2024.

“Jane says that she prays for his continued healing and for peace for him,” Millner noted, adding that even during these final comments, Jane kept her head down and didn’t exchange any glances with Combs.

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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