Sean Combs’ music dumped by Peloton in wake of assault scandal
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ music has been dumped by Peloton.
The rapper’s tunes had been used in the exercise bike brand’s classes, but the fitness firm has now issued a statement saying it had “paused” the use of his music from its virtual lessons in the wake of his admission he beat his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura after surveillance camera footage of the 2016 assault emerged on 19 May.
Peloton made the announcement after receiving a comment from a concerned member of its private Facebook group who said: “Dear Peloton, Your next purge needs to be all Diddy classes. Signed, women everywhere."
Peloton replied: “We take this issue very seriously and can confirm Peloton has paused the use of Sean Combs’ music, as well as removed the Bad Boy Entertainment Artist Series, on our platform.
“This means our instructors are no longer using his music in any newly produced classes. Again, thank you for sharing your concerns and thank you for being a member of our Peloton community.”
Peloton’s statement comes days CNN released 2016 footage of Combs, now 54, attacking singer Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura, now 37, at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles.
Two days after the tape was revealed, Sean issued a video on his Instagram saying he was “truly sorry” for the attack.
The scandal-plagued rapper started the video by saying it was “so difficult” to reflect on the “darkest times of your life”, but said: “Sometimes you have to do that.”
Combs – who has changed his name to Sean Love Combs – added about the attack: “I was f****** up. I mean I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behaviour on that video is inexcusable.
“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it and I’m disgusted now.”
Revealing how he sought help after the 2016 assault: “I went and I sought out professional help and had to go to therapy, had to go to rehab.
“Had to ask God for his mercy and grace.
“I’m so sorry. I’m committed to being a better man each and every day.
“I’m truly sorry.”
Combs was hit with allegations including physical abuse by singer Cassie in a November 2023 lawsuit, which he settled out of court a day after it was lodged.
The 2016 footage was taken from a surveillance camera in a hallway at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, California.
It shows Combs holding a towel around his waist as he chases after Cassie before he strikes her, hurls her to the floor and kicks her as she lies motionless on the ground.
He then grabs her bags and continues to assault Cassie before dragging her across the elevator bank into the hallway.
A second camera angle of the assault shows the singer slowly standing up and gathering her bags after the attack ends – with Combs sitting on a chair directly in front of her as she picks up a phone in the hallway.
Combs is then seen grabbing what seems to be a vase and throwing it at the singer.
The rapper was hit with a wave of lawsuits in late 2023 and early 2024, including allegations of sex trafficking and sexual assault.
The cases remain active, and he has denied all claims against him.