Diddy takes smoke break with pals as he steps out for the first time since shocking video of him beating Cassie Ventura and apology

Sean 'Diddy' Combs was pictured smoking a cigarette in his native Miami after  breaking his silence with an apology clip after a shocking clip of him beating up his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura surfaced this week. 

The 54-year-old rapper was clad in a white fisherman's hat with a white T-shirt and shorts and black sandals while out on a walk after posting an apology to social media. 

He wore a necklace with the image of his late father Melvin Combs, who was fatally shot at the age of 33 in New York City, posing next to a child. Combs in October of 2013 took to Instagram to detail the death of his father for the first time in conjunction with a Revolt TV project he'd been working on.

In a preview clip for the TV special, the musical artist explained how he squared his own life with the one his father led.

'My father was killed when I was 3 years old,' he said. 'My father was a hustler. He was a drug dealer. He was a hustler. So I learned early in life there’s only two ways out of that, dead or in jail. It made me work even harder.'

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 54, was pictured smoking a cigarette in his native Miami after breaking his silence after shocking video of him beating up his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura surfaced this week 

In the aforementioned 2013 clip, Diddy said he didn't 'have a lot of memories' of his late father and missed him and his presence as he was growing up, as he needed 'to have someone to ask manly advice and just things that you would ask your father.'

Diddy said he also missed celebrating milestones with his father 'that would make him proud.'

Diddy said he thinks his late father 'played a role in' his hustle en route to success and international stardom.

'I think that even if we don’t know our parents, we still have their DNA in us,' he said. 'We have their genes. I have his hustler mentality, his hustler spirit, his drive, his determination. His swag. He’s gonna be on my mind a lot today. My father’s name was Melvin Combs and I’m Melvin’s son, Sean Combs.'

Diddy was seen out after he took to Instagram on Sunday morning to apologize, saying: 'I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses.'

Looking into the camera, Diddy said: 'So difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, sometimes you got to do that. I was f***ed up. 

'I mean I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses, my behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video, I'm disgusted. 

He continued: 'I was disgusted then when I did it, I am disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help, I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. 

He wore a necklace with the image of his late father Melvin Combs, who was fatally shot at the age of 33 in New York City, posing next to a child 

Combs in October of 2013 took to Instagram to detail the death of his father for the first time in conjunction with a Revolt TV project he'd been working on 

Diddy said of his late father, 'I learned early in life there’s only two ways out of that, dead or in jail. It made me work even harder'

Diddy said he needed 'to have someone to ask manly advice and just things that you would ask your father'

Diddy said he also missed celebrating milestones with his father 'that would make him proud'

Diddy said he thinks his late father 'played a role in' his hustle en route to success and international stardom 

The musical artist said, 'I think that even if we don’t know our parents, we still have their DNA in us. We have their genes'

He added, 'I have his hustler mentality, his hustler spirit, his drive, his determination. His swag'

'Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I'm so sorry. But I am committed to be a better man each and every day. I'm not asking for forgiveness, I'm truly sorry.'

Sources said Diddy went to rehab following the 2016 incident and continues to seek both therapy and spiritual work. 

The shocking surveillance footage of Diddy violently attacking his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 emerged this week. 

The video, obtained by CNN, shows the rapper shirtless with a towel wrapped around his waist, chasing Cassie down the hall at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City.

As she tried to get into an elevator, he grabbed her by the back of the head and slammed her to the ground. 

He then kicked her as she lay on the floor motionless, before grabbing the two designer bags she'd tried to escape with. 

Diddy stood over her, kicked her again, and then dragged her back to their room by the hoodie. 

Cassie claimed in a since-settled lawsuit that Diddy had paid the same hotel $50,000 for the footage after the attack. 

Diddy was seen lighting a cigarette as he walked outside in Miami Beach 

The rapper was clad in a white fisherman's hat with a white T-shirt and shorts and black sandals

Diddy was seen out after he took to Instagram on Sunday morning to apologize, saying: 'I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses'

In the clip, Diddy looked into the camera and said, 'So difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, sometimes you got to do that. I was f***ed up'

Diddy said in the clip, 'I mean I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses, my behavior in that video is inexcusable'

The Grammy-winning musical artist said he 'was disgusted then' and is 'disgusted now' by his behavior in the widely-circulated clip

Diddy said he 'sought out professional help' and went to therapy and rehab after the incident 

The hip-hop mogul was flanked by a pair of friends on the sunny day in South Florida 

He was seen pointing at something in the distance on the daytime outing 

Diddy said that he 'had to ask God for his mercy and grace' in the wake of his brutal attack on his former girlfriend

Diddy said that he is 'truly sorry' for his past actions but 'not asking for forgiveness'

Speaking on Sunday, Cassie's attorney Meredith Firetog, said: 'Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. 

'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.'

Diddy's followers were not convinced by his apology, flooding the comments under his video with angry messages. 

One said: 'You swore you did nothing wrong. You gaslighted her and all of us, and ONLY now that the video came out, you’re sorry. Bro, go away.'

Another added: 'If you were truly sorry then and now why were you lying all along? Your chance for redemption was a long time ago Diddler. It’s over now.' 

It comes after the LA County District Attorney said they would not be able to prosecute Diddy for the assault as the statute of limitations had passed. 

California's statute of limitations for simple assault is one year, though aggravated assault is three years. Based on the timeline, neither charge could be levied against Diddy.

Diddy's statement on Sunday drew criticism from Cassie's attorney Meredith Firetog, who said in a statement that it reeked of selfishness

Firetog said that 'Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt'

Firetog pointed at Diddy's immediate reaction after Cassie sued him last autumn

Firetog said that 'when Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday'

Firetog pointed that Diddy 'was only compelled to "apologize" once his repeated denials were proven false'

The apology clip from Diddy was indicative of 'his pathetic desperation' as his life and career crumble around him, Firetog said

Two days after the attack, the pair appeared on the red carpet holding hands for the premiere of The Perfect Match. 

'The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs,' Cassie's attorney Douglas Wigdor said in a statement to DailyMail.com this week.

Wigdor added, 'Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.' 

Cassie sued Combs last November accusing him of raping her, beating her, forcing her to use drugs and have sex with other men while he watched. 

She said in legal docs in the suit that Diddy sexually assaulted her in his home in Los Angeles in 2018 when she made an attempt to split up with him.

In a statement she released publicly following the filing of the suit, Cassie said she was 'finally ready' to tell her story of the suffering she endured due to Diddy.

Cassie said she was compelled 'to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.'

Diddy and Cassie settled out of court in November for an undisclosed amount, one day after the suit was filed.

Cassie sued Combs last November accusing him of raping her, beating her, forcing her to use drugs and have sex with other men while he watched 

Cassie said in legal docs in the suit that Diddy sexually assaulted her in his home in Los Angeles in 2018 when she made an attempt to split up with him 

In a statement she released publicly following the filing of the suit, Cassie said she was 'finally ready' to tell her story of the suffering she endured due to Diddy 

Cassie said she was compelled 'to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships'

Diddy and Cassie settled out of court in November for an undisclosed amount, one day after the suit was filed 

Diddy said in a statement following the settlement of the suit, 'We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love'

In his own statement at the time, Diddy's lawyer Ben Brafman said his settling the case was in no way an admission of guilt. 

Diddy 'vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,' his attorney said at the time 

Diddy's lawyer said at the time of the settlement that the musical artist 'unequivocally rejected' Cassie's 'persistent demand of $30 million ... as blatant blackmail' 

Diddy's attorney had said Cassie's lawsuit was 'riddled with baseless and outrageous lies'

Diddy's attorney described the suit as an attempt to 'tarnish Mr. Combs's reputation' while 'seeking a payday'

Diddy and Cassie dated between 2007 and 2018, after meeting in 2006 when she was 19 and he was 37

In a statement at the time, Cassie said: 'I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.'

Diddy said in a statement following the settlement of the suit, 'We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.' 

In his own statement at the time, Diddy's lawyer said his settling the case was in no way an admission of guilt.

'Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,' said his lawyer Ben Brafman.

'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 pair dated between 2007 and 2018, after meeting in 2006 when she was 19 and he was 37. 

In her suit, Cassie recalled an incident similar to the one caught on security footage at the Los Angeles hotel.

In her suit, Cassie described an incident similar to the one caught on security footage at the Los Angeles hotel

She said that Diddy assaulted and injured her following an attack at a Century City, California hotel 

Diddy 'became extremely intoxicated and punched Ms Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye' in the incident, Cassie said in the suit 

Cassie said in the suit that she managed to eventually escape Diddy and go to her own apartment, but decided to return to the hotel for fear of the rapper 

Cassie said in the suit that hotel staff 'urged her to get back into a cab and go to her apartment, suggesting that they had seen the security footage showing' Diddy attacking her in the hotel hallway

Diddy paid the InterContinental Century City $50,000 for the hallway security footage showing the alleged assault, according to the lawsuit 

The suit claims: 'In on around March Mr Combs, during an FO at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Mr Combs became extremely intoxicated and punched Ms Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye.

'After he fell asleep, Ms. Ventura tried to leave the hotel room, but as she exited, Ms Combs awoke and began screaming at Ms Ventura. He followed her into the hallway while yelling at her. 

'He grabbed her, and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw then at her, causing glass to shatter around them as she ran to the elevator to escape.'

Cassie said in the suit that she managed to eventually escape Diddy and go to her own apartment, but decided to return to the hotel for fear of the rapper.

'Upon realizing that her running away would cause Mr. Combs to be even angrier with her, and completely stuck in his vicious cycle of abuse, Ms. Ventura returned to the hotel with the intention of apologizing for running away from her abuser,' the settled complaint said.

'When she returned, hotel security staff urged her to get back into a cab and go to her apartment, suggesting that they had seen the security footage showing Mr. Combs beating Ms. Ventura and throwing glass at her in the hotel hallway.'

The legal claim said Combs paid the InterContinental Century City $50,000 for the hallway security footage showing the alleged assault. 

Cassie has described a years-long, torturous relationship in which he controlled her movements and subjected her to abuse. Diddy has consistently denied the allegations. 

Diddy was flanked by a pair of associates on the daytime walk in Florida, as both men appeared to be checking their phones as the public reacted to his apology video 

The recording artist appeared to be stretching amid his walk on the spring day 

The It's All About the Benjamins artist was seen twisting his upper torso on the outing 

The musical artist's apology to the public did not appear to be well-received in the aftermath of the jarring clip from 2016 

Diddy's public apology comes nearly seven years after multiple high-profile figures accused of sexual abuse attempted to quell career crisis scandals with public apologies 

Diddy and Cassie met while she was recording her debut album after her smash hit One Thing. 

The footage of the March 2016 incident comes just two months after Combs' homes in Miami and Los Angeles were raided by Homeland Security as part of a sex trafficking investigation. 

Combs’ sons, Justin and Christian 'King' Combs, were handcuffed during the raid at their father’s residence in Los Angeles. 

He is also fighting lawsuits from other accusers who allege sexual misconduct and abuse: In February, a music producer filed a lawsuit alleging Combs coerced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them. 

Another of Combs’ accusers was a woman who said the rap producer raped her two decades ago when she was 17.

Combs and his attorneys have denied all of the lawsuits’ allegations.

The rapper is among the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past three decades. 

Formerly known as Puff Daddy, he built one of hip-hop’s biggest empires, blazing a trail with several entities attached to his famous name. 

He is the founder of Bad Boy Records and a three-time Grammy winner who has worked with a slew of top-tier artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112.

The footage of the March 2016 incident comes just two months after Combs' homes in Miami and Los Angeles were raided by Homeland Security as part of a sex trafficking investigation 

He is also fighting lawsuits from other accusers who allege sexual misconduct and abuse 

The rapper is among the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past three decades 

Formerly known as Puff Daddy, the entertainer built one of hip-hop’s biggest empires, blazing a trail with several entities attached to his famous name 

He has worked with artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112

The artist-producer appeared to be feeling the stress amid the plethora of legal and professional issues he faces moving forward  

The longtime celeb was surrounded by associates on the weekend morning 

Diddy's clip Sunday came after the LA County District Attorney said they would not be able to prosecute Diddy for the assault as the statute of limitations had passed 

California's statute of limitations for simple assault is one year, though aggravated assault is three years; based on the timeline, neither charge could be levied against Diddy

The rapper is less than two months removed from his homes in LA and Miami being raided 

Feedback to the rapper's apology post did not indicate he had made strides in quelling the controversy

Social media personality Jessica Rose Schrody said, 'You called her a liar. Time did exactly what it was supposed to and you deserve every awful thing that’s coming your way'

Social media personality Vonja Jackson said, 'You’re not asking for forgiveness because you meant to do what you did at that time, and you’re truly “sorry”, for your actions being displayed in 2024. Deuces'

One user wrote the artist, 'You're not a man, I used to support your music from back in the 90s..Your legacy is ruined by your actions ... Deal with it'

Said one user: 'Are just sorry because the world saw it? If you are sorry, publicly offer her an apology' referring to Cassie 

A user said that they 'got goose bumps' in seeing Diddy profess his regret over his past misdeeds 

Diddy's apology comes nearly seven years after multiple high-profile figures accused of sexual misconduct in the #MeToo movement attempted to sway public sentiment and quell career crisis with public apologies.

Producer Harvey Weinstein - who would later be convicted of sexual assault - tried to explain multiple allegations of sexual misconduct with a statement on October 5, 2017.

'I came of age in the 60’s and 70’s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different,' Weinstein said. 'I realized some time ago that I needed to be a better person and my interactions with the people I work with have changed. 

'I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it. Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go. That is my commitment. My journey now will be to learn about myself and conquer my demons.'

Weinstein said that he asked attorney Lisa Bloom 'to tutor' him and she had 'put together a team of people' to help him control his behavior. (Bloom resigned as his attorney days after.)

Weinstein also quoted a song lyric from Jay-Z, vowed to channel his anger toward the NRA and then-President Donald Trump and had been organizing a 'a $5 million foundation' he wanted to name after his mother.

Actor Kevin Spacey later that month, also facing allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple accusers, said that he did not remember allegations he made advances toward actor Anthony Rapp when he was 14, but acknowledged it was possible.

'I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior,' Spacey said.

The rapper took to Instagram on Sunday afternoon to apologize, saying 'I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses'

Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura attend the premiere of 'The Perfect Match'  in Hollywood, California. Two days earlier Combs assaulted Ventura in a hotel hallway

Cassie is seen trying to flee in an elevator. Diddy, after chasing her down the hall, grabbed her by the back of the hoodie and threw her to the ground

Diddy is seen dragging Cassie back to their hotel room after collecting her bags 

This is the former InterContinental hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, where Diddy allegedly attacked then girlfriend Cassie Ventura

The couple then made a second appearance on March 7, with Cassie wearing a different dress

Hylton suggested Diddy's race played a role in the federal agent's s actions during the raids

Exactly what precipitated the raids on Combs' properties on March 25 has yet to be disclosed

The mother of two of Sean Diddy Combs' sons, Misa Hylton, has shared footage of the aid in the rapper's Los Angeles mansion, calling it an 'overtly militarized force'

In the statement, Spacey, in what many believed to be an effort to pivot the discussion away from the damaging allegations, confirmed he was gay.

'As those closest to me know,' Spacey said, 'I have had relationships with both men and women. I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man.'

The following month, in November of 2017, former Today show anchor Matt Lauer acknowledged a degree of wrongdoing after he was fired by NBC following allegations of sexual misconduct.

'There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions,' Lauer said. 'To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry. As I am writing this I realize the depth of the damage and disappointment I have left behind at home and at NBC.

'Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized, but there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed. I regret that my shame is now shared by the people I cherish dearly.'