Sean 'P Diddy' Combs: a complete timeline of the abuse allegations

Back in November last year, singer Cassie Ventura accused her ex partner, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, of violence, rape and sex trafficking, claiming he subjected her to repeat abuse during their relationship of over ten years.

Combs and Ventura resolved the claims, which had been raised in a lawsuit, a day after the filing (with no admission of wrongdoing) but it turned out to be a watershed moment: Ventura was the first of several people to make allegations against the rap mogul.

Since she broke her silence, former members of Combs' staff and other exes have come forward to make claims against the star and video footage of Combs attacking Ventura in a hotel hallway has also been circulated online. Following this, Combs posted an apology on Instagram and admitted wrongdoing, whilst continuing to deny other allegations made against him.

Diddy is currently in jail awaiting trial, due to begin 5 May 2025, and has more than 30 lawsuits naming him – with some alleged victims claiming they were as young as 10 when an assault took place. Other notable names, including rapper Jay-Z (Shawn Carter), have also been accused of being involved in sexual assaults alongside Diddy. Jay-Z has denied the accusation he raped a 13-year-old girl and said in a statement that not all "celebrities are the same".

Following Combs' arrest in September 2024 on unspecified charges, his lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said he is an "innocent man" and that both he and Combs are "disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution".

Here, we've pulled together a timeline of P Diddy's rise to fame and the subsequent accusations that have been made against him:

P Diddy (real name Sean Combs), also known as 'Puff Daddy' or simply 'Diddy', rose to fame in the 90s before becoming one of the most successful stars in all of rap history.

He got his start at Uptown Records before he was fired and went on to co-create Bad Boy Records, working with the likes of Faith Evans and The Notorious B.I.G., cementing his status in the industry.

He also drew attention for his star-studded love life, having previously been romantically linked to a number of high profile celebrities, such as Jennifer Lopez and model Kim Porter.

Sean 'P Diddy' Combs and Cassie Ventura first met in 2005, when the latter was 19 and the former was 37. The singer is best known for hits such as Long Way 2 Go and Me & U. According to reports, the couple started dating two years later – and their on-and-off relationship lasted for over ten years.

The couple split in 2018. Ventura went on to date and marry Alex Fine, tying the knot in 2019. The pair have since welcomed two children together (Sunny and Frankie, aged 3 and 4).

It’s believed Combs is currently single.

Cassie and Diddy pictured together in 2006

In her lawsuit, Cindy Rueda alleged she was sexual harassed while working for Combs. She claimed Combs wanted to know if she was attracted to his naked body and instructed her to cook a “post-coital meal” (NBC News reports).

A spokesperson for the rapper described Rueda, who was fired in 2016, as a “disgruntled ex-employee.” The suit was settled in 2019. The terms of the settlement were not divulged.

In a lawsuit filed on 16 November 2023, Cassie Ventura accused Sean Combs of rape, physical abuse and sex trafficking, detailing the repeated assaults she says she was subjected to during their relationship, which lasted more than a decade. She also alleges he raped her after she tried to leave him.

As per the paperwork, Combs was described as a serial domestic abuser who would often beat and kick Ventura, leaving black eyes, bruises, and blood. It was also alleged that he forced Ventura to engage in sex acts with male sex workers.

The case was filed under the New York Adult Survivors Act (ASA) which offered a one-year window for survivors to pursue civil claims regardless of the statute of limitations - and it was one of thousands of cases brought forward before the ASA expired on 23 November 2023.

"After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships," Ventura said in a statement at the time.

The lawsuit was resolved the day after it was filed. Thanking her fans for their support, Ventura said: "I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control over. I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support."

Combs also issued a statement: It said: "We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love."

At the time, the lawyer for Combs, Ben Brafman, also told Cosmopolitan UK: "Just so we’re clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing. Mr. Combs' decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best."

In November 2023, Joi Dickerson-Neal alleged Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1991. Dickerson-Neal had previously appeared in one of the rapper’s music videos.

She said she found herself unable to stand or walk after being drugged, and she spoke of how her life had fallen into a “tailspin” after she was sexually assaulted and secretly recorded.

According to NBC News, Dickerson-Neal filed police reports but said that colleagues told her they were "terrified that Combs would retaliate against them and that they would lose future business and music opportunities if they made a statement".

Representatives for Combs denied that he had assaulted Dickerson-Neal and claimed the lawsuit was "purely a money grab and nothing more."

P Diddy pictured with some of his children in 2020 (from left to right: Justin, Christian, Quincy, Diddy, D’lila Star, Chance and Jessie James)

Shortly before the New York Adult Survivors Act expired, a complainant identified as Liza Gardner alleged that Combs and an associate assaulted her in the 1990s, before an amended suit was filed in March of this year.

Gardener alleges she was "coerced into having sex with Combs" aged 16. At the time, a spokesperson for Combs told NBC News: "The claims involving alleged misconduct against Mr. Combs from over 30 years ago and filed at the last minute are all completely denied and rejected by him."

In December, an anonymous plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, accused Combs and two of his associates of plying her with drugs and alcohol then raping her at his New York Studio in 2003 when she was 17.

In the lawsuit, Combs was accused of a "sex trafficking scheme" involving ‘Jane Doe’, who was allegedly flown from Michigan to New York by private jet before she was gang raped.

A judge ruled the plaintiff must reveal her identity for the case to move forward.

Combs released a statement via Instagram on the same day as the fourth lawsuit was filed.

He wrote: "Enough is enough. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy.

"Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth."

Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones, a producer on Combs’ 2023 release, The Love Album: Off the Grid, alleged Combs sexually harassed, drugged and threatened him for upwards of a year in a lawsuit filed in federal court.

Jones is seeking $30 million in damages, NBC News reports.

A representative for Combs has described the allegations as "pure fiction". Talking to TMZ, attorney Shawn Holley claimed the producer is "shamelessly looking for an undeserved payday".

According to US media, federal agents searched properties owned by Combs in both Miami and Los Angeles, as part of an ongoing investigation. At this time, charges were not filed.

NBC reports that the rapper’s phones were also seized before he was scheduled to make a trip to the Bahamas. Photos of the searches have been shared online, with armed federal officers pictured entering the LA property.

The Department of Homeland Security said the raids were in relation to an "ongoing investigation" in New York.

Sean Combs' attorney, Aaron Dyer, told Newsweek: "Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way."

He added: "There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name."

Sean Combs released a public apology (captioned "I'm truly sorry.") following the release of CCTV which allegedly shows him assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.

In a statement shared on his Instagram, the rapper said "my behaviour on that video is inexcusable." He said he was "committed to being a better man each and every day."

Previously, lawyers for Ventura said: "The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behaviour of Mr Combs."

View full post on Instagram

Since its circulation, the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office said the alleged 2016 assault might be too old to prosecute.

"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 spokesperson said.

Make-up artist, Mylah Morales, who has previously worked with both Combs and Ventura claims she once saw Ventura "badly bruised", adding that she was scared of speaking out.

"We were always scared of Puff. He's a powerful person and we don't know what would happen to us if we spoke out," said Morales.

She also listed a number of injuries she allegedly saw on Ventura. "She was bruised. I mean, badly bruised, like knots on her head, a black eye…"

Cassie pictured at an event in 2022, prior to launching her lawsuit against Diddy

Misa Hylton, who once dated Combs and who is the mother of his son Justin, shared a message in support of Ventura on her Instagram. "I am heartbroken that Cassie must relive the horror of her abuse, and my heart goes out to her. I know exactly how she feels, and through my empathy, it has triggered my own trauma," she wrote.

Hylton also shared a photo of Combs' children in her post, adding "these young people were raised by women that want the best for them – we put God and education first and have always been united in our mutual effort to support their dreams. Two of the youngest [D'lila Star and Jessie James] do not have their mother [Kim Porter, who passed away in 2018] here and it has been our duty to support them. Their father needs help and I am praying that he truly does the personal work and receives it."

A few days after Combs' apology video in which he admits attacking her, Ventura posted a statement to her 10 million followers on Instagram – urging them to take allegations of abuse seriously. She also encouraged anyone stuck in a violent situation to reach out for help.

The singer wrote: "Domestic Violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from my past.

View full post on Instagram

"Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to take this matter seriously. My only ask is that EVERYONE open your heart to believing victims the first time. It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth out of a situation that you were powerless in. I offer my hand to those that are still living in fear. Reach out to your people, don't cut them off. No one should carry this weight alone."

According to a BBC report, Damian Williams, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, confirmed that the rapper was arrested on 16 September 2024, however details of why have not been made public.

"Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY," Williams said.

Combs' legal team said the rapper looks "forward to clearing his name in court" and added that "Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the black community."

News reports confirm Diddy's trial is set for 5 May 2025. The trial, ahead of which Diddy has pleaded not guilty on all charges, involves multiple civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and battery.

Rapper Jay-Z (real name Shawn Carter) is named in a lawsuit claiming both he and Diddy raped a then-13-year-old girl in 2000 following the VMAs. Both men denied the allegation, with Jay-Z posting a statement via the Roc Nation record label's Instagram account saying he is "heartbroken" for his family following the accusation. The statement added that not all "celebrities are the same".

Cosmopolitan has contacted Combs’ representative for comment

For information and support, visit Women's Aid's website or call the Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run by Women’s Aid in partnership with Refuge, on 0808 2000 247.

Amber O’Connor

Former Junior Features Writer

 Amber O’Connor is Cosmopolitan UK’s former junior features writer, who covers everything from breaking news, women’s safety and real life features to fitness, travel, and cultural trends. She works on first-person features, reports, and long reads, plus the hottest stories of the day (if you want to know about the latest wellness craze or TikTok trends, she’s your girl).  Amber has previously worked as a reporter and a lifestyle writer, with her work appearing in numerous publications, including The Mirror, Red Magazine, Evening Standard, Indy100, and Yahoo News. When she’s not working her way through her TBR list, Amber loves dancing, running, and going on adventures with her dog.

Jennifer Savin

Features Editor

 Jennifer Savin is Cosmopolitan UK's multiple award-winning Features Editor, who was crowned Digital Journalist of the Year for her work tackling the issues most important to young women. She regularly covers breaking news, cultural trends, health, the royals and more, using her esteemed connections to access the best experts along the way. She's grilled everyone from high-profile politicians to A-list celebrities, and has sensitively interviewed hundreds of people about their real life stories. In addition to this, Jennifer is widely known for her own undercover investigations and campaign work, which includes successfully petitioning the government for change around topics like abortion rights and image-based sexual abuse. Jennifer is also a published author, documentary consultant (helping to create BBC’s Deepfake Porn: Could You Be Next?) and a patron for Y.E.S. (a youth services charity). Alongside Cosmopolitan, Jennifer has written for The Times, Women’s Health, ELLE and numerous other publications, appeared on podcasts, and spoken on (and hosted) panels for the Women of the World Festival, the University of Manchester and more. In her spare time, Jennifer is a big fan of lipstick, leopard print and over-ordering at dinner. Follow Jennifer on Instagram, X or LinkedIn.