Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s legal team responded to Sean “Diddy” Combs after the disgraced hip-hop mogul apologized following the release of a 2016 security video that showed him assaulting the singer. 

Diddy took to Instagram to issue an apology on Sunday, saying he was “truly sorry” after CNN shared footage of him kicking, dragging, and manhandling the singer at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles — actions that match the allegations Cassie made against him in a 2023 lawsuit that has since been settled.  

Ventura’s lawyer Meredith Firetog, Partner at Wigdor LLP, condemned Diddy’s apology in a statement to People. 

“Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt,” Firetog contended. “When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday.” 

“That he was only compelled to ‘apologize’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation,” she added, “and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”

Combs attempted to explain his actions in the Instagram video, saying that it was “so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life.” 

“Sometimes you gotta do that,” he continued. “I was f—– up. I mean, I hit rock bottom but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. Disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I’m disgusted now.” 

Combs went on to say that he “sought out professional help, going to therapy, going to rehab.” 

“I had to ask God for his mercy and grace,” the music mogul concluded. “I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to be a better man. Each and every day.” He insisted he was “not asking for forgiveness” and was “truly sorry.”

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Following the release of the security camera footage, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced it could not pursue criminal charges against Combs due to the statute of limitations. 

“We are aware of the video that has been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles,” the LADA Office said in a statement posted to Instagram. “We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch. If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”

“As of today, law enforcement has not presented a case related to the attack depicted in the video against Mr. Combs,” it reads, “but we encourage anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report it to law enforcement or reach out to our office for support from our Bureau of Victims Services.”

Diddy has been accused of sexual assault by multiple people in several lawsuits since Cassie filed her legal action against him in November 2023, according to Forbes. In Cassie’s filing, she accused him of numerous offenses, including rape, sex trafficking, emotional and physical abuse. 

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The dystopian sci-fi story of youth, DEAD DEAD DEMONS DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION, is set to make its streaming debut on Crunchyroll, transforming from a two-part film into an 18-episode television series. This highly anticipated adaptation will begin streaming on Thursday, May 23 at 8:00 PM PT, with new episodes released weekly. The series will feature brand-new footage not seen in the theatrical releases, available to viewers in over 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Originally premiering as two-part films in Japan – with Part 1 released on March 22 and Part 2 set to release on May 24 – DEAD DEAD DEMONS DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION has garnered significant attention. The series is based on the Eisner Award-nominated graphic novel by Inio Asano, known for Goodnight Punpun. The manga, which ran from 2014 to 2022 and sold over three million copies, was also recognized at San Diego Comic-Con in 2018 as one of the year’s Best New Manga.

Official Synopsis:
As a mysterious alien mothership looms over Earth, best friends Kadode Koyama and Oran “Ontan” Nakagawa navigate the challenges of high school. Amidst the extraordinary backdrop, they confront existential dilemmas and the complexities of adulthood, discovering that the real threat may come from within.

The anime adaptation is produced by Production +h., known for The Orbital Children, and directed by Tomoyuki Kurokawa, celebrated for his work on the PSYCHO-PASS series. Reiko Yoshida, acclaimed for Violet Evergarden and A Silent Voice, penned the series composition and screenplay.

The talented production team includes Takaaki Suzuki (world setting), Nobutake Ito (character design and chief animation direction), Satoshi Takezawa (color design), Mika Nishimura (art direction), Satoi Inami (CG direction), Takuma Morooka (cinematography), Masayuki Kurosawa (editing), and Takeshi Takadera (sound direction). The evocative score is composed by Taro Umebayashi, known for his work on Space Dandy.

Voice Cast:

• Lilas Ikuta (Kadode Koyama)






• ano (Oran Nakagawa)






• Atsumi Tanezaki (Kiho Kurihara)






• Miyuri Shimabukuro (Ai Demoto)






• Saeko Oki (Rin Hirama)






• Azumi Waki (Futaba Takemoto)






• Ryoko Shiraishi (Makoto Tainuma)






• Miyu Irino (Keita Oba)






• Koki Uchiyama (Kenichi Kohiruimaki)






• Taito Ban (Watarase)






• Junichi Suwabe (Hiroshi Nakagawa)






• Kenjiro Tsuda (Nobuo Koyama)






• Naoto Takenaka (Chairman)






• TARAKO (Debeko)






• Tomokazu Sugita (Isobeyan)

The theme song “ZeZeZeZettai Seiiki,” performed by ano featuring Lilas Ikuta, will be part of the new television series, adding to the rich auditory experience.

Fans can also purchase all 12 volumes of Inio Asano’s DEAD DEAD DEMONS DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION graphic novel in the Crunchyroll Store.

Watch DEAD DEAD DEMONS DEDEDEDE DESTRUCTION Official Trailer Below!

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In Hollywood, landing a huge breakout role is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it launches you into the mainstream and presumably opens doors that were previously closed. However, on the other hand, actors can be typecast when that role is all producers see them as. This problem can be especially hard on Black actors, as they’re already starting from a casting disadvantage.

“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star Alfonso Ribeiro found himself caught in this complicated casting roller coaster after the popular sitcom ended. In case you’re not old enough to remember, everyone’s favorite cousin had a very successful TV and stage career long before Carlton came along. However, the actor recently confessed that once he started doing his famous dance, that’s all people wanted from him.

“Playing Carlton on ‘Fresh Prince’ became a sacrifice,” Ribeiro told Closer Weekly. “I used to always say doing Carlton was the greatest and worst thing that ever happened to me.”

As a professional he recognizes how lucky he was to find a pivotal, series regular role on a long-running, popular network series. Of course, nothing in Hollywood is free. In this case, that unforgettable role came with a steep price Ribeiro wasn’t expecting.

“It was one of the greatest roles that I ever was fortunate enough to play,” he said. “But it was also the role that stopped me from acting again because people couldn’t see me as anything else. The sacrifice was not having an acting career anymore.”

He’s not wrong. For the rest of his life, he’ll be introduced as “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Alfonso Ribeiro.” He probably has people asking him to do that dance every single day. Even though he moved on to do other series and game shows, he’ll always be Carlton to most of us.

Despite the unexpected turn his career took after “Fresh Prince” wrapped, the former “Tap Dance Kid” has no regrets or bad feelings about the classic comedy. He’s very aware that the familial atmosphere they had was special and not the norm on most sets.

“It was about the cast and spending time with them,” he said. “Before every show, we would go into Will Smith’s dressing room, and we’d play music and dance and just have a great energy buildup to get ready for the show. Those are some great memories of just being together.”

Nowadays, Ribeiro has moved into hosting on “Dancing With the Stars” and “America’s Funniest Videos.” But those regular gigs don’t mean he’s completely left acting in his rearview mirror.

“I’m enjoying being a host and am very happy with it. But, yes, I would go back to acting if it was exactly the right thing,” he said.

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Pilar Victoria, the rising singer-songwriter sensation, has made a triumphant return with her latest single, “Headphones,” once again showcasing her unparalleled talent. Hailing from Argentina and now settled in Texas, Pilar’s multicultural background infuses her music, creating a unique fusion of soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics.

From a tender age, Pilar displayed a passion for music, writing songs and mastering instruments since she was just 11 years old. Despite facing challenges, including restrictions on social media usage, Pilar’s determination to share her music persevered. Posting snippets of her original compositions on TikTok, she quickly amassed a devoted following, propelling her into the spotlight.

“I wasn’t allowed to be on social media growing up, but I decided to be anyways,” shares Pilar Victoria. “I began posting small clips of songs I wrote on TikTok and ended up receiving a lot of positive attention. I then decided to take the next step by releasing music onto Spotify, and I had to pay 20 dollars for the distributor service. Once I asked my parents for the money they eventually figured out what I was doing. They weren’t very fond of the idea at first but after a lot of convincing they became very supportive.”

Pilar Victoria’s breakthrough moment she has arrived with her song “Wilted Flower,” which went viral on TikTok overnight, garnering millions of views and propelling her meteoric rise in the music industry. Signing with the renowned label “Platoon,” she released a critically acclaimed EP, collaborating with Grammy-winning producer Rick Nowels, known for his work with icons like Lana Del Rey, Stevie Nicks, Dua Lipa, and Marina.

Now, Pilar steps back into the spotlight with “Headphones,” a poignant reflection on love and loss. Co-written with Rick Nowels in Santa Monica, the track seamlessly blends melancholy with upbeat pop sensibilities, capturing the bittersweet essence of heartbreak.

“‘Blocking out all the sound, we’ll put our headphones on.’ I wrote this song during a time where I knew I was going to be losing someone and I couldn’t handle it. I wanted to block out all the pain and intense emotions I was feeling. I thought the metaphor of putting headphones on was a cool expression of saying how I wanted to tune out all the noise and what was going on around me. I just wanted to be alone in my thoughts. I think sometimes we all just want to put on headphones.” – Pilar Victoria

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HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Simone Biles certainly looks ready for Paris with more than two months to go before the Olympic games begin.

The gymnastics superstar began her bid for a third Olympic team looking as dominant as ever at the U.S. Classic on Saturday, posting an all-around score of 59.500, nearly two points clear of runner-up Shilese Jones.

The 27-year-old Biles, the 2016 Olympic champion, recorded the highest score on vault and floor exercise and came in second on uneven bars and balance beam in her 2024 debut.

“I was just happy to be back out there, get through those nerves again, feel that adrenaline,” Biles said. “I can’t really complain how the first meet back was.”

She did a handful of her signature skills, including hitting the Yurchenko double pike on vault and a tumbling pass that ends with a triple-twisting double-flip.

Biles completed the vault — which requires her to clasp her hands to her knees while she flips backward twice — with coach Laurent Landi watching from the side. Landi had been standing on the podium to spot Biles during previous attempts, a decision that cost her a half-point neutral deduction.

While Biles wasn’t perfect — she took a couple of big steps back on her vault dismount and got so much air on the triple-double that she landed out of bounds — her mixture of difficulty and precision remains the standard in the sport.

Biles is a virtual lock to make the five-woman U.S. Olympic team should she stay healthy. The big question that needs to be answered over the next six weeks is who will join her in France.

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Jones was brilliant on bars and steady everywhere else and should head to the U.S. Championships later this month and the Olympic Trials in late June with confidence.

After that, things get murky.

Gabby Douglas, the 2012 Olympic champion, was hoping to use the U.S. Classic as a springboard. Instead, she will leave with questions about the road ahead.

The 28-year-old, making a comeback after an extended break following the 2016 Olympics, fell twice on uneven bars and pulled out of the four remaining events.

Sunisa Lee, who won the Olympic title at the 2020 games in Tokyo, has been battling kidney issues for the last 18 months that have made training difficult. She competed in three events and her elegant beam routine earned her a 14.600, a touch ahead of the 14.550 put up by Biles.

Jordan Chiles, a 2020 Olympic silver medalist, came in third in the all-around at 55.450. Jade Carey, who captured gold on floor in Tokyo, was fourth.

Konnor McClain, the 2022 U.S. champion, exited the competition with an Achilles injury suffered while warming up on floor exercise.

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After making a big statement with her breakthrough track “Water,” rising artist Tyla is getting ready to take her career to the next level with her next hit “Jump.” The tune, which boasts high-profile collaborations with Gunna and Skillibeng, comes off her self-titled debut album and has already generated a lot of attention online.

The official music video for “Jump,” shot in Tyla’s native South Africa, is poised to give the track a promotional boost, highlighting Tyla’s dynamic artistry and cultural heritage while amplifying its impact.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see the video, as Tyla has confirmed it will premiere this Monday, May 20th. She shared a series of behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot, including a snap with Gunna, further heightening anticipation for the release.

Tyla’s collaboration with Gunna and Skillibeng on “Jump” signifies a major milestone in her burgeoning career, promising to solidify her status as a global music sensation.

Stay tuned for the premiere of “Jump” and witness Tyla’s next big leap in the music world.

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STONECREST, Ga. (AP) — Hundreds of Air Force members in dress blues joined Roger Fortson’s family, friends and others at a suburban Atlanta megachurch on Friday to pay their final respects to the Black senior airman, who was shot and killed in his Florida home earlier this month by a sheriff’s deputy.

People lined up well before the start of the service at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest to file past the open coffin and say their goodbyes to Fortson, who was shot six times by a deputy responding to a May 3 call about a possible domestic violence situation at Fortson’s apartment complex in the Florida Panhandle. He was 23.

Fortson’s face and upper body were visible in his Air Force uniform, with an American flag draped over the lower half of the coffin. After viewing the body, many mourners paused to hug one another.

“As you can see from the sea of Air Force blue, I am not alone in my admiration of Senior Airman Fortson,” Col. Patrick Dierig told mourners, referring to the rows of airmen who took up nearly an entire section of the sprawling church.

“We would like to take credit for making him great, but the truth is that he was great before he came to us,” said Dierig, who commands the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Air Force Base in Florida, where Fortson was stationed.

The Rev. Jamal Bryant opened his eulogy with a story about how civil rights icon Medgar Evers joined the Army during World War II even though he and other Black American service members were fighting for freedoms abroad that they didn’t enjoy at home.

The 1963 killing of Evers, a Mississippi NAACP leader who was gunned down by a white supremacist, “showed all of America that you can wear a uniform and the uniform won’t protect you, that regrettably sometimes the skin you wear is more of a magnet to opposition than the uniform that you bear,” Bryant said. “Because in America, before people see you as a veteran, as an airman in the United States Air Force, they’ll see you as a Black man.”

Bryant also called for justice in Fortson’s killing.

“We’ve got to call it as it is — Roger died of murder,” Bryant said. “He died of stone cold murder. And somebody has got to be held accountable. Roger was better to America than America was to Roger.”

A police officer “came to his door and shot him up like a dog in the street, as if he was not defending the rights of America all over the world,” Bryant added.

The Fortson family’s lawyer, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, delivered a rousing address, telling the gathering: “We will remember him for the American patriot he was.”

“He was the best from East Atlanta. … He was the best from the state of Georgia. He was the best from America. He was one of the best this world had to offer,” Crump said.

In a recorded video played at the service, the Rev. Al Sharpton also highlighted Fortson’s military service and called for his death to not go unpunished.

“He as a young Black man stood up, signed up to fight for this country. The question now is will the country stand up and fight for him? … That is the question and that is what we intend to get an answer to,” Sharpton said.

After the service, airmen saluted and Fortson’s mother embraced mourners outside the church as his casket was carried to a horse-drawn carriage draped on the inside with gold curtains. The black horse that pulled the carriage away was adorned with red, white and blue flowers around its mane and silver on its hooves.

On Thursday, Fortson’s mother vowed to get justice for her son, who had served in overseas combat zones. At a news conference held by the family and Crump, Meka Fortson spoke glowingly about how her son had always stayed on a positive path and had never been in trouble or shown signs of violence.

She also had a message for Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden: “You’re going to give me justice whether you want to, Sheriff Aden, or not,” she said.

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On the day he was killed, Fortson opened the door while holding a handgun pointed toward the floor, according to the deputy’s body camera footage. The deputy shouted, “Step back!” and then shot Fortson six times. Only afterward did he shout, “Drop the gun! Drop the gun!” The deputy then called paramedics on his radio.

Fortson’s family and Crump argue that the shooting was completely unjustified and that the deputy had gone to the wrong apartment while responding to a call about a possible domestic disturbance in progress at the apartment complex. Fortson was home alone and talking to his girlfriend on FaceTime when he grabbed his gun because he heard someone outside his unit, Crump has said.

The deputy, whose name has not been released, shot Fortson within moments of the airman responding to the deputy’s knocking and opening his door. Sheriff’s officials say the deputy acted in self-defense.

Two weeks after the shooting, the sheriff has yet to release an incident report, any 911 records or the officer’s identity, despite requests for the information under Florida’s open records act.

The case is among many around the country in which Black people have been shot in their homes by law enforcement personnel.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating and the deputy has been placed on administrative leave.