A timeline of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Cassie’s relationship

The singer Cassie accused her former partner and record label boss, Sean “Diddy” Combs, of rape and abuse over the course of their decade-long relationship in a 2023 lawsuit.

In 2006, Cassie burst onto the music scene with hit songs like “Me & U” and “Long Way 2 Go,” released via Diddy’s Bad Boy Records.

The pair were first linked romantically in 2007 and broke up in 2018.

On Tuesday, Cassie testified against Diddy at his sex-trafficking trial.

Here is a timeline of Diddy and Cassie’s relationship.

2006: Cassie releases her self-titled album with Diddy’s record label.

In August 2006, Cassie released her self-titled album under Combs’ record label, Bad Boy Records.

Combs produced the album and featured on a remix of her hit song “Me & U” alongside rapper Yung Joc.

2007: Diddy and Cassie reportedly start dating.

Combs and Cassie reportedly started dating in 2007 after she became the face of the rapper’s fashion label, Sean John. The pair did not confirm their relationship at the time.

That year, Diddy’s longtime partner, Kim Porter, said she ended her “on-again/off-again relationship” with him.

2012: Cassie and Diddy appear at events as a couple.

Although there were rumors that Diddy and Cassie were dating, they started appearing at events together in 2012.

They were seen together at Ye’s (formerly Kanye West) Paris Fashion Week show, and also attended Diddy’s own Paris Fashion Week event together.

2014: Diddy posts a photo of a diamond ring.

Engagement rumors swirled in 2014 after Diddy posted a since-deleted photo of a diamond ring on Instagram.

Per Billboard, the caption read: “Baby do you like it? I just want to give you what you like!”

December 2015: The pair reportedly break up.

A year after the first rumors that were engaged spread, the pair broke up briefly in December 2015, Page Six reported citing an unnamed source.

In 2022, the model Gina Huynh told The Jasmine Brand that she was seeing Diddy around this time, while he was dating Cassie.

Huynh said: “I was young too. I was young, naive, I didn’t know better. It was enticing. It was very tempting. It was hard not to. I do feel bad though.”

August 2016: More breakup rumors emerge following an argument.

The pair made headlines in August 2016 when TMZ reported that they got into an argument while driving through LA, with Diddy taking Cassie’s phone and leaving the vehicle.

Per the report, the rapper later returned home to give her the phone back.

According to TMZ, Cassie’s mother called the police over the incident, resulting in a domestic incident report being written by authorities.

January 2018: Diddy says he wants more children with Cassie.

Diddy appeared on Power 105.1 FM’s “The Breakfast Club” and said that he wanted to have more children.

He said: “I love children. I’m trying to get 10. I could go to eight without a problem. Whatever is supposed to happen in the future is going to happen, but that’s something that I want. I would only have it with my girl, of course.”

October 2018: Diddy and Cassie break up.

Diddy and Cassie ended their relationship at some point in 2018, but the news wasn’t made public until October.

A representative for Cassie told LoveBScott: “They are indeed no longer together and haven’t been for months.”

LoveBScott also reported that Diddy had been spotted with model Jocelyn Chew shortly before the announcement.

September 2019: Cassie marries Alex Fine.

After splitting up with Diddy, Cassie started dating her personal trainer Alex Fine. Cassie posted a photo of them kissing on her Instagram page in December 2018.

The couple later announced that they were expecting a baby, before getting married in September 2019, a year after Cassie’s breakup with Diddy.

Cassie gave birth to their first child together, daughter Frankie Fine, on December 6, 2019, reported People.

The couple welcomed a second daughter, Sunny Fine, on March 22, 2021. Cassie announced the baby’s birth on Instagram.

November 2023: Cassie files a lawsuit accusing Diddy of rape and abuse.

Cassie filed a lawsuit against Diddy on November 16, 2023 accusing him of rape, physical abuse, and controlling her over the course of their relationship, per documents seen by Business Insider.

“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. With the expiration of New York’s Adult Survivors Act fast approaching, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life,” Cassie said in a statement.

Through his representatives, Diddy denied the allegations against him.

“Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,” said the rapper’s lawyer, Ben Brafman, in a statement. “For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which 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’s reputation and seeking a payday.”

The suit was settled that same month, according to CNN.

May 2024: A video from 2016 appears to show Diddy assaulting Cassie

CNN published a video on May 17, that appeared to show Diddy pursuing Cassie in a hotel hallway in 2016. At the time, the couple were still together.

The footage seemingly showed Diddy dragging and kicking Cassie in the hallway of the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles.

May 2024: Diddy apologizes

Diddy was heavily criticized on social media because of the footage. On May 19, he posted an apology video to Instagram in which he said he’s not expecting forgiveness.

“My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” he said.

“I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab,” the rapper added.

“I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”

May 2024: Cassie thanks fans for their support

On May 23, Cassie issued a statement via her Instagram to thank those who had supported her.

“Thank you for all of the love and support from my family, friends, strangers and those I have yet to meet,” she wrote. “The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is only the beginning.”

She did not mention Diddy in the caption but added: “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,” Cassie continued.

14. May 2024: Cassie testifies at Combs’ sex-trafficking trial.

On May 13, Cassie testified at Combs’ sex-trafficking trial in New York.

She recalled being introduced to the parties Combs used to throw, called “freak-offs.”

“I remember my stomach falling to my butt. Just the nervousness and confusion… I had just turned 22,” she said.

Cassied said that during these parties, Combs would force her to engage with male escorts while he watched.

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