Cassie spoke out about her emotional testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial.
Cassie’s attorney Douglas Wigdor read a statement on the singer’s behalf outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York City on Friday, May 16, according to multiple outlets.
“This week has been extremely challenging but also remarkably empowering and healing for me,” the statement read. “I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from abuse and fear.”
The statement continued, “For me, the more I heal, the more I can remember. And the more I can remember, the more I will never forget.”
In addition to speaking on how it felt to take the stand Cassie (full name Casandra Ventura) also thanked her family and supporters for getting her through this tough time.
“I want to thank my family and my advocates for their unwavering support and am grateful for all the kindness and encouragement that I have received,” the statement read. “I am glad to put this chapter of my life to rest as I turn to focus on the conclusion of my pregnancy. I ask for privacy for me and for my growing family.”
Wigor also read a statement on behalf of Fine, who supported Cassie in the courtroom each day.
“Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife freeing herself of her past,” he said. “There has been speculation online surrounding how it must feel for me to sit there and listen to my wife’s testimony. I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass. I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her.
“So to him and all of those who helped him along the way, please know this. You did not. You did not break her spirit, nor her smile, that lights up every room. You did not break the soul of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls. You did not break the woman who has made me a better man.”
Fine’s statement continued, noting that he is not Cassie’s knight in shining armor: “I did not save Cassie, as some have said. o say that is an insult to years of painful work my wife has done to save herself. Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats. She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her. All I have done is love her as she has loved me.”
“Her life is not surrounded by love, laughter and our family,” Fine’s statement said. “This horrific chapter is forever put behind us and we will not be making additional statements. We appreciate all of the love and support we have received and we ask that you respect our privacy as we welcome our son into a world that is now safer because of his mom.”
Diddy, 55, was arrested in September 2024 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied all of the allegations against him.
Cassie, 38, first took the stand on Tuesday, May 13, before wrapping up on Friday, ultimately giving her recollections for nearly 20 hours over four days. The singer testified about her relationship dynamic with Diddy, whom she dated on and off from 2007 to 2018, and addressed his alleged “freak off” parties.
While addressing the court, Cassie got candid about the alleged abuse she suffered from while dating Diddy. In addition to being a participant in Diddy’s “freak offs,” Cassie claimed that she was raped by the music mogul. The singer also revealed she contemplated walking into traffic years later due to all the trauma she endured.
Diddy’s arrest came nearly one year after Cassie filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual and physical abuse throughout their relationship. Diddy denied her claims in a statement shared by his attorney.
“Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,” Diddy’s lawyer Ben Brafman said in November 2023.
One day after the suit was filed, Diddy and Cassie settled out of court. She testified earlier this week that the settlement was for $20 million.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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