John Legend Reacts to Diddy's Abuse Allegations With Urgent Two-Word Message

John Legend recently spoke out about the growing abuse allegations against rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, saying he was “horrified” by the allegations.

During a conversation with CNN International's Christiane Amanpour that premiered on the network Thursday, the “All of Me” singer described feeling outraged after reading about a November lawsuit filed by the ex -Combs' girlfriend, musician Cassie Ventura, which contained allegations of repeated physical and sexual violence. sexual abuse by Combs.

Disturbing surveillance video showing Combs violently assaulting Ventura in 2016 was released by CNN earlier this month.

“I was horrified by the allegations I heard about Mr. Combs, and of course horrified by the video evidence that was subsequently released,” Legend said, referring to the lawsuit and the footage monitoring. “But I was horrified by the descriptions I read before the video evidence was released.”

Asked about the importance of raising awareness about domestic violence issues, the “Voice” coach said he “absolutely” thinks cases of abuse should be “spotlighted.”

Legend, who collaborated with Combs on a song for Combs' 2023 album, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” stressed that it's important to “believe women.”

“My default position is to believe women when they make these accusations,” he said, “and to ensure that we do everything we can to support the women who make these allegations, and to ensure for them to be heard and for any form of accusation to be taken. of accountability and reparations can be made to make these women whole again.

The “Used to Love U” singer said the allegations against the Bad Boy Records founder are “shameful” and that he wants “the best” for Ventura and Combs' other accusers.

“I really just want accountability and hopefully healing for all of his victims,” Legend said.

Combs faced a series of allegations and several lawsuits after Ventura sued him in late 2023. He vehemently denied the accusations of violence and sexual abuse made against him.

The music mogul, whose on-and-off relationship with Ventura began in the early 2000s when he was 37 and she was 19, settled Ventura's lawsuit against him a day after filing it in November.

Days after the CNN video was made public, Combs posted a minute-long video on Instagram apologizing for her “inexcusable” behavior, and Ventura later took to social media to thank those who offered love and support.

“The outpouring of love has created a place where my younger self can settle down and feel safe now, but it's only the beginning,” she wrote on Instagram. “Domestic violence is THE problem. It broke me into someone I never thought I would become.

She then called on the audience to “open their hearts to believing victims the first time.”

Need help? In the United States, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for National Domestic Violence Hotline.