Kristin Chenoweth had a deeply personal reaction to the footage of Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. “Honestly, I have my reasons for the Sean Combs video bothering me so much. The main thing I need to do is pray for him. For real,” Chenoweth wrote in a post on social media.
When a commenter suggested that she should instead “pray for victims’ deliverance, not for evil abusers,” the actor and singer opened up about the intent of her message. “Never wanted to come out with it, but here we go. Several years ago, I was severely abused. It took me therapy and prayer to understand I deserved better,” Chenoweth wrote. “I was deeply injured physically and spiritually.”
Chenoweth’s revelation comes amidst conversation following CNN’s publication on Friday of a video showing Combs physically assaulting Ventura in 2016. Combs and Ventura dated off and on from 2007 to 2018. She filed a since-settled civil suit against the music mogul in November, in which she alleged Combs raped her in 2018 and subjected her to years of repeated physical and other abuses over the course of their relationship.
“A decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing,” Ben Brafman, an attorney for Combs, told CNN in a statement in November. “Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”
On Sunday, Combs apologized for his actions in the surveillance video.
In her own path to recovery, Chenoweth said she found comfort in her faith. “The only thing I knew to do when I got out was pray,” she said of moving on from her abusive former partner. “Pray for myself. Pray for him as he grew up abused. So. There y’all go.”
Chenoweth’s candid admission has sparked a broader discussion about the importance of support systems and faith in healing from abuse. Her message emphasizes the complex emotions that survivors can feel towards their abusers, highlighting the personal and spiritual journeys many undergo in the aftermath of such trauma.
As Chenoweth’s words resonate with many, they shed light on the struggles and resilience of those who have faced similar experiences. Her call for prayer, not just for victims but also for abusers, underscores a profound belief in the power of forgiveness and personal growth, even in the face of deep hurt.