Sean “Diddy” Combs‘the latest accuser Thalia Graves has broken her silence about the alleged assault and the trauma she continues to suffer.
“I have PTSD, depression and anxiety. I’m emotionally scarred,” Graves said during a press conference on Tuesday, September 24 published by New York Post. “It’s hard to trust others, form healthy relationships or even feel safe in my own skin. Flashbacks, nightmares and intrusive thoughts make me feel like a constant struggle.
She said the alleged 2001 attack had “destroyed” her mental health and remained a source of heartache.
“It’s a pain that goes to the core of who you are, it leaves an emotional scar that may never heal,” Graves said as she wiped away tears. “Some of the most difficult parts of this pain are the shame and guilt I experience that have a negative impact on my daily ability to function properly.”
Celebrities weigh in after Sean “Diddy” Combs’ arrest. The music mogul was arrested in New York on September 16. The next day, a 14-page indictment alleging that Diddy “tortured, threatened and coerced women and others around him” was made public. The rapper has since pleaded not guilty (…)
As his lawyer Gloria Allred sitting next to him, Graves said he’s “glad” that Diddy, 54, is in prison, noting that it’s a “temporary relief.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Diddy’s team for comment.
Sherman, for his part, told the Daily Mail on Tuesday that he “didn’t know” Graves, admitting that the allegations were just “money talk.”
“I’ve never seen this woman before,” he told the outlet. “Don’t have a record of her like I said. I’ve seen her before. I’ve never done anything with her. I don’t know, not this one. I don’t even know this lady.”
The bodyguard also said he had “nothing to do” with Diddy.
Us Weekly confirmed on Tuesday that Graves filed a lawsuit against Diddy and his security chief Joseph Shermanclaimed she was raped in 2001.
Graves alleged in court documents obtained by us when he was 25 years old, he was drawn by the singer to a meeting with him and Sherman. He claimed that he was then given a drink that was “probably mixed with drugs that eventually caused him to lose consciousness.”
Graves claims that when he woke up, he was held captive and Diddy and Sherman allegedly tortured him. In November 2023, she said she learned the man had recorded a “horrific rape” and shown it to others.
Diddy has not commented on the lawsuit but is currently in jail. She was indicted on September 17 on charges of racketeering conspiracy, forced sex trafficking, fraud or coercion and transportation for the purpose of prostitution.
The 14-page indictment states, “Combs relied on the employees, resources and influence of a multifaceted business empire that he led and controlled – creating a criminal enterprise in which his members and associates participated in, and attempted to participate in, among other crimes, types of human trafficking, labor force, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice.” Some of the allegations date back to 2009.
The year before two of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ houses were raided in connection with the federal investigation of sex trafficking, there was a conversation about what happened in the place of the rapper. After the March 2024 attack made headlines, a clip of Usher resurfaced about his experiences living with Diddy as a teenager. “I got the chance to (…)
Before his arrest, Diddy was accused of abusing his on-again, off-again girlfriend. Cassie (real name Casandra Ventura) for years. Cassie, 38, claimed in November 2023 that during their relationship, Diddy often drugged her and allegedly forced her to have sex with male prostitutes on camera. She also claimed that in 2018, Diddy assaulted her after forcing her way into the house.
A day after the filing made headlines, Diddy settled the lawsuit in court. “I’ve decided to resolve this amicably on the condition that I have some level of control,” Cassie said us through her lawyer Douglas Wigdor in time. “I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”
When it comes to the current charges, Diddy pleaded not guilty on September 17 before being denied bail a second time. He will remain in jail pending trial.
Diddy’s lawyer released a statement on Monday, September 23, saying his team was “disappointed by the decision to pursue what we believe to be an unfair prosecution of Mr. Combs by the US Attorney’s Office.”
The statement continued: “He is not perfect, but he is not a criminal. To his credit, Mr. Combs has not only cooperated with this investigation and he voluntarily moved to New York last week to await the charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. This is the act of an innocent man, and he expects to clear his name in court.”
Paras Griffin / Getty Images When Sean “Diddy” Combs has fervently denied his ex-girlfriend Cassie rape and assault allegations, some women have come forward with claims they were allegedly wronged by the music mogul. Us Weekly confirmed in November 2023 that Cassie (real name Casandra Ventura) filed a lawsuit against Diddy, accusing her of rape and repeated physical (…)
Graves’ attorney, Allred, said at a press conference Tuesday, “We want justice for him and we hope to win. It’s too long for those who caused him to suffer to be held accountable. Allred added that he represents Diddy’s other victims, but did not provide further details.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
