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Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth, 55, recently shared her personal experience with domestic violence in response to disturbing footage of Sean "Diddy" Combs physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, resurfacing from 2016.
"Honestly, I have my reasons for the Sean Combs video bothering me so much," Chenoweth wrote on X. "The main thing I need to do is pray for him. For real." Her post drew criticism, with one commenter suggesting she should save her prayers for "victims" rather than "evil abusers." This prompted Chenoweth to candidly share her own history with violence in a relationship.
"Never wanted to come out with it, but here we go," she began in a follow-up post. "Several years ago, I was severely abused. It took me therapy and prayer to understand I deserved better." She continued, "I was deeply injured physically and spiritually. The only thing I knew to do when I got out was pray. Pray for myself. Pray for him as he grew up abused. So. There y'all go."
In a series of subsequent posts, Chenoweth shared, "It was the lowest I've been in my life. I must admit I haven't forgiven yet. It's beyond me. God is helping me through that part." She emphasized that, "A victim has to handle it however [she/he/they] needs to and is best for them."
Chenoweth is currently married to singer Josh Bryant, who she wed on September 2, 2023, in Texas.
Chenoweth's revelations came in the wake of a surveillance video, first obtained by CNN, showing Combs grabbing, shoving, and kicking Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel. This video aligns with allegations Ventura made when she sued Combs in November 2023, accusing him of sexual assault and years of physical abuse. Combs denied all allegations, and the lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed. Following Ventura's claims, several other accusers came forward with lawsuits against Combs, who has consistently denied their allegations.
In response to the fallout, Combs released an apology video on Instagram, taking "full responsibility" for his actions seen in the surveillance footage and revealing he has since sought "professional help."
"After going to therapy and going to rehab, I had to ask God for his mercy and grace," Combs said in the video. "I'm so sorry. But I'm committed to being a better man each and every day. I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm truly sorry."
