Note: This article contains references to alleged assault that some readers may find disturbing.
Dawn Richard has sued her former collaborator Sean “Diddy” Combs for abuse, TMZ reports and Pitchfork can confirm. She filed her lawsuit yesterday (September 10) in a New York federal court.
In the complaint, Richard details her history with Diddy, which dates back to the early 2000s when she was on Making the Band, the Diddy-helmed reality show that led to the creation of the pop and R&B group Danity Kane. “During auditions, Mr. Combs spoke to the female contestants in a hostile, condescending manner, making disparaging gender-based remarks such as calling them ‘fat,’ ‘ugly,’ ‘bitches,’ and “hoes,’” the lawsuit contends. “Ms. Richard felt threatened and intimidated by Mr. Combs’ blatant disdain for the young women, like herself, who were excited for the opportunity to be on his show.”
While creating Making the Band, “Mr. Combs deprived Ms. Richard and her Danity Kane bandmates of basic needs such as adequate food and sleep,” according to the lawsuit. “When Ms. Richard or her Danity Kane bandmates requested meals or rest, Mr. Combs refused and chastised them with derogatory comments like ‘you bitches don’t want this’ or ‘y’all are not hungry enough’ and ‘I’m paying you bitches to work.’”
After the initial disbandment of Danity Kane, in 2009, “Richard experienced significant financial hardship” and continued to work with Diddy, at his now-infamous Daddy’s House Recording Studio, in New York, “without pay or allocated budget.” She claims that Diddy “promised that Ms. Richard’s compositions would result in payment of license fees and royalties pursuant to her contract with Bad Boy Records; however, no such compensation was ever reported or paid to Ms. Richard.”
Soon, Richard was in the hip-hop and R&B trio Diddy – Dirty Money with Diddy and Kalenna Harper. Richard says that the musicians initially worked on their lone studio album, Last Train to Paris, at Diddy’s home in Los Angeles. She claims that, at the house, she saw Diddy verbally and physically abuse his then-girlfriend, the singer Casandra Elizabeth “Cassie” Ventura. Richard says that she “wanted to intervene and help Ms. Ventura, but Ms. Harper adamantly refused to interfere in Mr. Combs’ relationship, and physically led Ms. Richard out of the residence.” Despite her terror at observing the alleged abuse, Richard claims that she was forced to return to the residence for recording.
According to the lawsuit, Richard witnessed multiple other instances of Diddy abusing Cassie and other women. She also alleges that, while making Last Train to Paris, Diddy threatened and abused her verbally, made her work nonstop, and “often exhibited uncontrollable anger during recording sessions, throwing objects like albums, laptops, and food against the wall or at individuals.” In addition, she claims that she was not compensated for her work, estimating that she is owed $1.2 million in “unpaid wages and royalties” and $350,000 in “unpaid touring wages.”
Further, Richard outlines multiple instances of alleged assault and battery. She claims that, between 2009 and 2011, Diddy “would intrude into Ms. Richard’s changing room at Daddy’s House unannounced while Ms. Richard was undressed.” Multiple times, she claims, Diddy groped or touched Richard’s bare buttocks and breast area without consent.
Another alleged assault surrounded Diddy – Dirty Money’s December 2010 performance on Saturday Night Live. She alleges that, at New York’s Studio Instrument Rentals (SIR) Studios, Diddy yelled at her and Kalenna Harper for not being at rehearsals when he wanted them there. “Ms. Richard noticed that people in the lobby were reacting to Mr. Combs’ tirade,” according to the complaint. “Embarrassed, Ms. Richard asked Mr. Combs to stop swearing and calling them ‘bitches’ in front of everyone.” Diddy allegedly reacted by trying to punch Richard, but she was apparently taken away by one of the rapper’s bodyguards before he could hit her. Richard was subsequently locked in a Bad Boy Records car for over two hours, the lawsuit contends.
Dawn Richard names numerous defendants in her lawsuit, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, former Bad Boy Entertainment president Harve Pierre, multiple record labels, and several companies associated with Diddy and Making the Band. Formally, Richard is suing Diddy for 21 causes of action, including sexual assault, battery, sex trafficking, and copyright infringement.
In a statement, one of Richard’s attorneys, Lisa Bloom, said, “It is my honor to represent the talented and beloved artist Dawn Richard as she seeks justice against Sean Combs and other individuals and entities associated with Combs over the years she knew him.” She added, “We will not rest until we achieve full and complete justice for Dawn in this case.”
Pitchfork has also emailed Diddy’s representatives for comment.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former girlfriend Casandra Elizabeth “Cassie” Ventura sued him last year for sexual assault. Cassie and Diddy quickly settled the matter, but the singer’s complaint set off a wave of litigation against Diddy. In fact, Dawn Richard cites Cassie’s lawsuit as inspiration for her own legal action.
“It was not until Ms. Ventura’s bravery in coming forward that Ms. Richard realized her own personal suffering was tied to the many years of abuse by Mr. Combs that had become normalized for her,” the lawsuit reads. “As more women courageously come forward, Plaintiff has been empowered by this collective strength and now adds her voice to the growing chorus of victims bravely sharing their harrowing stories. Together, they seek justice and stand in solidarity, as the latest victims of the #Me Too movement in the music industry.”
Diddy, who continues to face several open lawsuits, has broadly denied allegations of sexual assault. His lone acknowledgment of culpability arrived after CNN released footage of him attacking Cassie in March 2016. “My behavior on that video is inexcusable,” he said. “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault or domestic abuse, we encourage you to reach out for support:
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline
https://www.rainn.org
1 800 656 HOPE (4673)
Crisis Text Line
SMS: Text “HELLO” or “HOLA” to 741-741
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
https://thehotline.org
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Source : Pitchfork
