Cassiehas a supportive husband inAlex Fine.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Combs’ lawyer Ben Brafman denied all the allegations, which he called “offensive and outrageous.”
Cassie (whose real name is Casandra Ventura) began dating actor and personal trainer Fine in 2018, and they got married the following year. Since entering the relationship, a source tells PEOPLE, “He’s had her back through a lot.”
According to the complaint filed in New York, the “Me & U” singer met Combs in 2005, when she was 19 years old and he was 37, and she signed to his Bad Boy Records label in 2006.
Ventura had a boyfriend at the time, and Combs was publicly datingKim Porter, but he allegedly pursued a relationship with Ventura until she agreed to go out with him in September 2007, fearing retaliation should she deny him.
Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie Ventura in New York City in May 2018.ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty
“When [Ventura and Combs] dated, she was really young and trying to make it in the music industry. He was a force. They had a big age gap, and she put up with a lot of stuff,” says the insider. “She was looking for an out for many years and didn’t know how to get out of the relationship.”
Fine was Combs' personal trainer when he met Ventura, whom he soon began training as well. “They hit it off, and she started to open up to him,” says the source. “Alex wanted to be with Cassie.”
After Ventura became determined to end the romance in 2017, according to the complaint, she met him for dinner in September 2018 in Malibu to discuss ending things for good. After dinner, he allegedly forced his way into her home and raped her.
Cassie Ventura in West Hollywood in October 2023.Emma McIntyre/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
Emma McIntyre/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty
“They weren’t back in a romantic sense, but they showed a united front,” continues the insider.
Diddythanked Cassie for her supportduringhis lifetime achievement award acceptance speechat the BET Awards in June 2022, saying, “Cassie, for holding me down in the dark times. Love.”
“They shared an unconventional consensual relationship,” claims a second source. “They loved each other deeply for many years.”
Diddy in Beverly Hills in January 2020.Steve Granitz/WireImage
Steve Granitz/WireImage
Since settling into their current relationship and tying the knot in 2019, Ventura and Fine have built a “tight-knit family” with daughters Frankie Stone, 3½, and Sunny Cinco, 2½, says the source.
“They’ve made a little life for themselves outside of all this Hollywood stuff,” continues the insider, noting that Ventura “used to go to a lot of events before, but it’s just not their thing now.”
Of Ventura and Fine, the source adds, “They’re really hands-on parents. She’s a really, really good mom. They moved really fast when they got together and got very serious quickly.”
Paul Morigi/Getty
After Ventura’s lawsuit against Combs was filed, Brafman continued in his statement to PEOPLE, “Ms. Ventura’s demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs' reputation, and seeking a pay day.”
In response, Ventura’s attorney Douglas Wigdor said in a statement: “Mr. Combs offered Ms. Ventura eight figures to silence her and prevent the filing of this lawsuit. She rejected his efforts and decided to give a voice to all women who suffer in silence. Ms. Ventura should be applauded for her bravery.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
