Singer Cassie, born Casandra Ventura, has been seen out for the first time since the arrest of her ex-boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs. Cassie was photographed in New York City on Wednesday evening, dressed casually in a black bucket hat, matching T-shirt, dark jeans, and sneakers, as she joined friends for dinner. This marks her first public appearance just two days after Combs was arrested at a Manhattan hotel on Monday, September 16.
The arrest of the music mogul, who now faces charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution, comes months after a series of lawsuits were filed against him alleging sexual abuse. One of the first to bring allegations forward was Cassie, who filed a lawsuit on November 16, 2023. In her complaint, she described a tumultuous, decade-long relationship in which she endured “a cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking.” Cassie also claimed that Combs raped her in 2018 after she attempted to leave him, in addition to multiple incidents of domestic violence.
In a statement issued at the time of her filing, Cassie said, “After years of silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story and speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.”
While the lawsuit was settled shortly after it was filed, with both parties announcing that they had reached a resolution to their “mutual satisfaction,” Combs’ legal team has maintained his innocence. Ben Brafman, Combs’ lawyer, emphasized that the settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing, stating, “This decision to settle does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims.”
Throughout the legal ordeal, Cassie has reportedly received unwavering support from her husband, Alex Fine, with whom she shares two daughters. A source previously told PEOPLE that Fine has “had her back through a lot.” In May, he publicly criticized Combs after CNN released surveillance footage from 2016 that allegedly showed Combs attacking Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel.
“Men who hit women aren’t men. Men who enable it and protect those people aren’t men,” Fine wrote on Instagram. “Our daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives should feel protected and loved. Men who hurt women hate women.”
Combs later issued a now-deleted apology video in which he acknowledged his actions, calling the incident “inexcusable” and taking full responsibility for his behavior. The footage resurfaced earlier this year, prompting reactions from several public figures, including Denise Brown, sister of the late Nicole Brown Simpson, and singer Aubrey O’Day.
Cassie also addressed the renewed attention, thanking her supporters in an Instagram post. “With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from the past,” she wrote. “This healing journey is never-ending, but the support means everything to me.”