Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing fresh accusations of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed in New York, adding to the recent controversies surrounding the rapper and record label executive. Crystal McKinney, a former model, accused Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting her at his New York recording studio in 2003. McKinney claims she met Combs at a Men’s Fashion Week event in Manhattan, where he came on to her in a sexually suggestive manner and offered to help advance her career.
The lawsuit alleges that Combs invited McKinney to his studio later that night, where he offered her marijuana that she believes was laced with a narcotic or other intoxicating substance. After becoming intoxicated, McKinney claims Combs forcibly kissed her and made her perform oral sex on him. She alleges that she eventually lost consciousness and woke up in a cab, realizing she had been sexually assaulted. Combs’ representatives have not yet commented on the lawsuit.
McKinney won MTV’s inaugural Model Mission in 1998 and had a successful modeling career. However, after the assault, her modeling opportunities began to dwindle and eventually evaporated. The lawsuit accuses Combs of using his influence to have McKinney blackballed in the industry, leading her into a tailspin of anxiety and depression. The suit has been filed under New York City’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Act, allowing accusers additional time to pursue civil complaints in cases where the statute of limitations has passed.
Combs has been embroiled in several controversies in recent months, including multiple sexual misconduct lawsuits and a federal sex trafficking investigation. In November, his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit against him, which was settled out of court in a day. Surveillance footage from 2016 was recently released by CNN, showing Combs physically assaulting Ventura in a hotel. The video, which shows Combs grabbing, dragging, and kicking Ventura, seemed to corroborate some of the allegations in her lawsuit. Combs responded to the footage in a video statement, apologizing for his behavior and expressing a commitment to being a better man.
The lawsuit against Combs adds to the growing number of accusations and legal issues he is facing. With the ongoing controversies and legal battles, Combs’ reputation and career are under scrutiny. It remains to be seen how these allegations will impact his standing in the music industry and how he will address the claims made against him. As the case unfolds, more details may emerge about the allegations and the responses from Combs and his representatives. The legal proceedings and public opinion surrounding the accusations are likely to shape the future trajectory of Combs’ career.
