Music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs finds himself at the center of a storm of controversy following the release of a 2016 security video that appears to show him physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. The video, which surfaced recently, has left Combs scrambling to control the damage to his reputation and career.

For months, Combs had vehemently denied any allegations of abuse made by Ventura. However, the video, which has quickly gone viral, paints a starkly different picture. In the footage, Combs, clad only in a white towel, is seen forcefully pushing Ventura to the floor, kicking her twice, and then dragging her by her shirt. Moments later, he throws a glass vase at her.

Mental health expert Dr. Gilda Carle commented on Combs' sudden shift in narrative, stating, “He said he was innocent, innocent, innocent, then you see this video and he isn’t innocent anymore. He’s backpedaling BECAUSE he’s been caught red-handed.”

The public outcry has been swift and unforgiving. Combs' attempt at a mea culpa, where he described his actions as "inexcusable" and expressed disgust at his behavior, has done little to quell the outrage. "My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions," Combs said. Despite his apology, insiders believe it may be too late for redemption.

“With this tape now out in public, Diddy has no ability to do damage control because his friends, people in the industry, and business associates want to have nothing to do with him,” a Hollywood insider revealed. “He’s become a pariah. Nobody will work with him now.”

Notably, prominent figures such as Ashton Kutcher, Justin Bieber, and Mark Cuban have remained silent, while others, including 50 Cent, Aubrey O'Day, and Maria Shriver, have openly condemned Combs. “Saying this is disturbing is an understatement,” tweeted Maria Shriver. “It makes me want to throw up.”

Adding to his woes, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has called the video “deeply disturbing” and is reportedly considering revoking the Key to the City honor previously awarded to Combs. Moreover, fitness company Peloton has banned his music from its platform, further isolating the rapper from mainstream support.

This scandal is compounded by ongoing legal troubles for Combs. On March 25, his mansions in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by Homeland Security in connection with a potential sex trafficking ring. This followed a series of sexual abuse lawsuits, beginning with Ventura’s detailed allegations of a decade-long campaign of violence, which she settled quickly. Combs now faces another lawsuit from model Crystal McKinney, who alleges he sexually assaulted her in 2003 and subsequently sabotaged her career.

Forensic psychiatrist Carole Lieberman, weighing in on the situation, expressed skepticism about the sincerity of Combs' apology. “The video shows he is capable of perpetrating some of the most brutal out-of-control acts on women,” she said. “Clearly it shows that he is very controlling, has a deep anger towards women, and he expects women to do his bidding, and if they don’t, he feels entitled to show them who is the boss.”

As the fallout continues, it appears that Combs' efforts to salvage his career and reputation may be in vain. The court of public opinion, along with his celebrity peers, seems to have reached a verdict. As one industry insider put it, "To mainstream Hollywood, he is now on the ‘do not invite list’ because they don’t want people to judge them by the company they keep."