Reflecting on the darkest times in your life is incredibly challenging, but sometimes it’s necessary. When Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against Diddy on November 16, 2023, accusing him of trafficking and various forms of assault, Diddy and his lawyers quickly settled the case the very next day. His attorney insisted, “Settling a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is not an admission of wrongdoing.” However, many people believed Cassie’s allegations, while others wanted proof. That proof emerged when CNN released surveillance footage from multiple cameras dated March 5, 2016, showing actions that matched one of the violent incidents Cassie described in her lawsuit.
With the video spreading like wildfire on the internet, Diddy took to Instagram to issue a statement. But was he being sincere? According to a body language expert, not exactly. Today, we’ll be talking about the fallout from the shocking video, Diddy’s response, and what could be next for the disgraced hip-hop mogul.
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In Diddy’s video statement, he admitted to his appalling behavior without making excuses. However, Judy James, a non-verbal communication expert, told the Mirror website that his social media apology seemed to set him up as the victim.
Let’s look at the first few seconds of the video. ‘I was f***ed up. I hit rock bottom. But I made no excuses. My behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions.’ Disgusted. I was disgusted then, and I’m disgusted now.
As you can see, Diddy speaks slowly, his tone lowered. His face looks long and droopy, and he sits with his shoulders slightly hunched, like the Hunchback of New York. He expresses remorse for hitting a low point and emphasizes taking responsibility without offering any justification. ‘It’s difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life. Sometimes you have to do that,’ Judy told the Mirror website. His choice of words is telling. Instead of using “I” to own his actions, he uses “you,” making it seem like we’ve all been guilty of similar behavior at some point.
The expert pointed out that Diddy’s body language contradicted his words. When he said, “I was fed up,” he looked to the side and shook his head ‘no,’ but then caught himself and nodded ‘yes’ when he talked about hitting rock bottom: “I mean, I hit rock bottom.” In our culture, nodding means ‘yes’ and shaking your head means ‘no.’ Tracy Brown, who wrote a book on detecting lies, told the Meetings & Conventions website, “People often emphasize things with their heads subconsciously, and the head is more trustworthy than the mouth.”
There was another moment where Diddy shook his head ‘no’ while saying, “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.” Body language experts believe this suggests he’s not being truthful and doesn’t genuinely take responsibility. He also said, “I went and sought professional help. Had to go to therapy and rehab.” According to non-verbal experts, Diddy’s statement seems like an attempt to gain sympathy, making it look like he suffered the most after the incident.
During his speech, Diddy mentioned God: “I had asked God for his mercy and grace,” to which many responded, “Now why am I in it?” Interestingly, Diddy only said ‘sorry’ twice in the entire video and didn’t mention who he was apologizing to. TMZ later revealed that after settling with Cassie the day after she filed her lawsuit, they both agreed to a strict NDA preventing them from talking about each other publicly. The body language expert speculated that Diddy’s apology was actually aimed at his supporters, not Cassie.
It seems almost certain that whoever is advising Diddy right now has told him how important it is to have the public on his side. To achieve that, one thing he could do is apologize to all the supporters he has let down. In the end, having the public accept his apology might give him a better chance of holding on to what’s left of his career and exploring future opportunities in the industry. Diddy said, “I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to being a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”
Cassie’s attorney released a statement saying, “Diddy’s most recent video is more about himself than the many people he has hurt.” The lawyer added, “When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday. That he was only compelled to apologize once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”
His apology video wasn’t well received by people online either. One social media user wrote, “Not accepted, you’re just doing it because you got caught. I am so sorry for your children, particularly your daughters that love you.” Many others expressed doubt about everything Diddy has said so far, especially since he went from denying the allegations to admitting guilt. It took a surveillance video for Diddy to finally be held accountable. This makes people wonder what other evidence will be uncovered that shows his crimes against Cassie and potentially others. Diddy has already denied that the allegations from the five other civil suits filed against him following Cassie’s were lies, claiming the plaintiffs were motivated by financial gain and public notoriety.
After the video was released, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office acknowledged they were aware of it. However, they clarified that because the incident happened in 2016, they couldn’t press charges due to the statute of limitations for assault. They urged anyone who has been a victim or witness to report the crime to law enforcement.
Many people see this as a push from the DA’s office for victims to share their stories so that Diddy can finally face justice. Despite appearing remorseful in his apology video, TMZ spotted him in Miami, smoking a cigar and hanging out with friends. Though he’s free for now, public opinion has shifted dramatically. The video supports Cassie’s allegations, and many believe it’s only a matter of time before he faces criminal charges. Still, he has a significant number of supporters, some of whom have resorted to victim-blaming in his defense.
Victim-blaming involves comments that suggest the victim is at fault for the abuse they endured. Questions like “Why didn’t she leave him sooner?” or “Why didn’t she call the police?” shift the blame onto the victim instead of the abuser. This kind of response can cause serious harm, increasing feelings of shame and guilt in survivors and discouraging others from coming forward. It’s important to understand that blaming victims for their abuse is never acceptable.
Many celebrities have shown their support for Cassie, sending love and solidarity as she faces the trauma of past violence. Her husband, Alex Fine, posted a heartfelt message on social media: “Men who hit women aren’t men. Men who enable and protect such behavior aren’t men. Cherish and respect the women in your life. Men who hurt women truly hate women.”