Cassie Ventura is now writing her own song.
The "Me & U" singer took back control of her story when she first detailed years of disturbing abuse allegations in a lawsuit filed against her ex-boyfriend and former producer Sean "Diddy" Combs last November.
Although his lawsuit was quickly settled, suspicion surrounding Combs only grew.
"Mr. Combs' decision to settle the lawsuit in no way undermines his adamant denial of the allegations," Combs' attorney said at the time.
Judge denies Sean “Diddy” Combs bail, he will remain in custody
At least nine other civil lawsuits and a federal investigation followed. Then on Tuesday, Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking in a federal indictment alleging he "abused, threatened and coerced victims" from at least 2008 to the present. Combs has pleaded not guilty.
CNN has reached out to Ventura’s representatives for comment on Combs' criminal indictment, which might not have happened had she not had the courage to share her testimony.
A seemingly fairy tale story
Born Cassandra Elizabeth Ventura in New London, Connecticut, in August 1986, Ventura began her career in show business as a model. She became involved with producer and songwriter Ryan Leslie and released her debut album in 2006.
Ventura quickly became a sought-after star. Her talent and beauty caught the eye of Combs, who signed Ventura to his Bad Boy Entertainment label.
In a 2006 interview, Ventura discussed what her family thought of her newfound fame.
"It happened so fast that I don’t think anyone could slow it down," she said at the time. "They always want to make sure that I’m happy and that everything is going well. It’s more about whether I’m happy and content with what I’m doing."
The following year, Ventura became a spokesmodel for Combs' Sean John fashion line. She leaned into both acting and music, appearing in the dance film "Step Up 2: The Streets" and contributing a song to the film’s soundtrack.
Ventura released other singles, including “Official Girl,” featuring rapper Lil Wayne in 2008, and “Must Be Love,” with Combs performing under one of his professional aliases, Puff Daddy, in 2009.
Ventura and Combs first went public with their relationship in 2012 and soon became regulars at fashion shows and Hollywood parties.
“Just being around him is a completely inspiring experience,” she told Madam Noire of Combs in 2013. “Starting my own empire would be so cool.”
Cassie performs onstage during the Puff Daddy and The Family Bad Boy Reunion Tour in 2016. Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Though she would release more singles, including 2017’s "Don’t Play It Safe," which Pitchfork deemed "her best track in nearly half a decade and arguably her proper comeback," a long-awaited Combs-produced album — and her own "empire" — never materialized.
Trouble and a New Beginning
Despite speculation about their engagement in 2014, the couple was never set to tie the knot. Combs explained her dating philosophy to New York radio show "The Breakfast Club."
"If I’m in a relationship with you, like 25 percent of your time, you’re going to feel like, 'Oh, I hate it here, this guy cheated on me, he lied to me.' That’s 25 percent," she said in 2015. "But then there’s 75 percent of, 'I’m going to make you the happiest woman in the whole world.' I’m going to be there to support your dreams. I’m going to be there to hold you, listen to you. I’m going to be there to be your best friend, and I promise you’ll smile more."
In her lawsuit, Ventura painted a dark picture of a relationship that appeared to be perfect in public. Behind closed doors, she alleged, Combs controlled every aspect of her personal life, forced her to have sex with other men and "introduced" her to a lifestyle of "excessive alcohol and substance abuse."
Cassie Ventura Breaks Silence Over 2016 Video of Her Being Physically Assaulted by Sean "Diddy" Combs
When Ventura tried to end her relationship with Combs in 2018, she alleged that he broke into her home and raped her. Combs has denied her allegations.
Ventura, according to her complaint, still suffers from “immense emotional distress” and at one point checked into an inpatient rehabilitation facility after having suicidal thoughts that she linked to the abuse.
She subsequently married trainer Alex Fine, with whom she shares two daughters.
Going public about what “broke” her
When Combs received a lifetime achievement award at the BET Awards in 2022, she referenced Ventura in her acceptance speech.
“I’m going to speak 100 percent to all of you, I was in a dark place for a few years,” Combs said onstage before thanking “Cassie for holding me up through the dark times. Love.”
Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura in 2018. Credit: Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images
Ventura filed her complaint just as New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily lifted the civil statute of limitations for survivors of sexual assault, was expiring.
"After years of silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak out on behalf of myself and for other women facing violence and abuse in their relationships," Ventura said in a statement to CNN last year. "As the expiration of New York’s Adult Survivors Act approached, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak out about the trauma I have suffered and will be recovering from for the rest of my life."
Not everyone believed her.
"We can’t just go by what he says, what she says… It’s hard to see so many people want to see [Combs] crash like this," rapper Slim Thug said at the time. "I don’t want to see a black man who made it this far, almost to a billion dollars, go down."
Sean "Diddy" Combs says he is "truly sorry" for physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016
In May, when CNN released surveillance video showing Combs physically abusing Ventura in 2016 at a Los Angeles hotel, public opinion of Ventura’s claims changed.
"I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now. I went and sought professional help. I started going to therapy, rehab," Combs said in a video shared on social media days after the video was released. "I had to ask God for mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to being a better man every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry."
Ventura thanked her followers and turned her attention to survivors of domestic violence.
"Domestic violence is THE problem. It made me into someone I never thought I would become," she said. "With a lot of hard work, I’m better today, but I will always be recovering from my past."
"All I ask is that EVERYONE opens their heart to believe the victims from the beginning," she added. "It takes a lot of heart to speak the truth from a situation where you were powerless."
Now, she is no longer one.