Tanika Ray, a former backup dancer for Sean “Diddy” Combs, revealed in an Instagram post that she knew to keep her distance from him since the ‘90s. Ray, who is also a former host for Extra, mentioned that she danced for him, interviewed him, and kept her space to avoid any uncomfortable situations. She shared a clip of Touré’s interview where he claimed his relative was fired for refusing to stay the night with Diddy. Ray emphasized the importance of women holding their pain in order to function in a man’s world and expressed that she isn’t surprised that Diddy is being investigated.
Ray encouraged healing and moving on as a priority for women who have experienced abuse, placing shame on the men who allowed the abuse to continue. She mentioned that she saved herself and hinted at her own personal experience with Diddy, which she described as horrific and known by only a few people. Ray teased the possibility of writing a book one day to detail what she has witnessed over the years. She explained that women want to feel safe, happy, and free from revisiting trauma and victimhood, which is why they may choose not to speak out about their experiences.
Ray’s comments come after Diddy’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by law enforcement officers, although he has not made a statement about the events. His lawyer addressed the raids, criticizing the excessive use of force and hostility exhibited by authorities during the search warrants. Diddy has faced multiple sexual assault allegations over the years, all of which he has denied. Most recently, producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones sued Diddy for sexual harassment, drugging, and threats, as well as accusing him of sex trafficking multiple women. It is unclear if the raids on Diddy’s homes were related to Jones’ lawsuit.
The excerpt mentions Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie filing a lawsuit against him in 2018, claiming a history of abuse during their relationship. The pair settled the lawsuit shortly after it was filed. Ray included a video speaking further about her personal experience with Diddy, in which she mentioned that she has interviewed him multiple times and has witnessed many things in Hollywood over the years. She highlighted the difficulty of speaking out about traumatic experiences and the desire to live free from victimhood.
In conclusion, Tanika Ray’s Instagram post sheds light on the complexity of navigating interactions with powerful figures like Diddy, the challenges of speaking out about abuse, and the importance of prioritizing healing and moving forward for women who have experienced trauma. The post comes at a time when Diddy is facing renewed scrutiny and legal action over allegations of sexual harassment and abuse. The ongoing investigations and lawsuits against Diddy serve as a reminder of the need to address issues of abuse and misconduct within the entertainment industry and beyond.
