John Legend Speaks Out On Allegations Against Sean "Diddy" Combs

John Legend has publicly addressed the allegations against Sean "Diddy" Combs for the first time since their collaboration on a song released last year. In an interview with CNN International's Christiane Amanpour, Legend expressed his horror over the accusations and the recently released video evidence showing Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016.

“I was horrified by the descriptions I read before the video evidence came out,” Legend said. “And absolutely, it’s something that needs to be brought to light when it happens.”

The 2016 incident was initially referenced in a November 2023 lawsuit filed by Ventura, who dated Combs intermittently from 2007 to 2018. Combs denied the allegations at the time, and the lawsuit was settled out of court a day after it was filed. The video evidence, however, has cast a new light on the situation.

“My default stance is to believe women when they make these accusations and to support them in any way we can,” Legend stated. He hopes that “they’re heard and that any kind of accountability and reparations can be made to make these women whole again.”

Legend condemned Combs' actions as "shameful" and expressed his wishes for Ventura and all other alleged victims to find healing and justice. “It’s quite a shame,” he said. “I really just want accountability and hopefully some healing for all of his victims.”

Combs has been named in eight civil lawsuits, including Ventura’s now-settled complaint, all alleging sexual assault. Outside of a video apology admitting to the 2016 attack on Ventura, Combs has denied the allegations, with seven cases still active.

Last year, Legend and Babyface collaborated with Combs on the song "Kim Porter" from Combs’ 2023 album "The Love Album: Off the Grid." The song is named after Combs' former partner, Kim Porter, who died of pneumonia in 2018 and with whom he shares three children.

Legend also discussed his new podcast series “Afghan Star” with Amanpour. The podcast tells the inspiring story behind the reality competition show of the same name, which searched for talented singers across Afghanistan.

“It’s a beautiful story of the power of music, the resilience of the people, and a really remarkable show that was quite revolutionary for its time,” he said. “It really captured the attention of the nation… I find the story inspiring, but also it really shows you the power of music and the human spirit.”

“Afghan Star” first aired in 2005 and continued for 15 seasons. Legend praised the series as "quite revolutionary" for Afghanistan, noting that instruments were “burned on the street” during the Taliban’s initial reign before the show’s debut.

The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan's capital nearly two decades after being driven from Kabul by US troops. However, Legend believes that the spirit awakened by shows like “Afghan Star” remains strong. “Music is not dead in Afghanistan right now, even though the Taliban’s back in charge,” he said. “I think the spirit that was awakened and revived in Afghanistan by shows like ‘Afghan Star’ and other connections with music and entertainment, it’s hard to put that back in the bottle.”