John Legend has expressed his shock and horror over the sexual assault and abuse allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs, particularly after the release of footage showing Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a hotel hallway in 2016. In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Legend emphasized the importance of believing women when they come forward with allegations of abuse.

He stated, “I was horrified by the allegations that I heard about Mr. Combs, and of course horrified by the video evidence that was released after that,” referencing the footage that CNN released in May, which corroborates parts of Ventura’s claims from her 2023 lawsuit. The video shows Combs chasing, hitting, and kicking Cassie in a hotel hallway, an incident she had described in her legal filings where she accused him of trafficking, raping, and beating her over a 10-year period.

Legend underscored the need for accountability, stating, “My default stance is to believe women when they make these accusations.” He added that it is critical to support survivors and ensure that they are heard. He expressed hope that reparations could be made to help the victims heal and receive justice.

This stance reflects Legend’s commitment to advocating for survivors of abuse, as he called for accountability and healing for all those affected by Combs’ alleged actions.