Thalia Graves, an alleged victim of Sean “Diddy” Combs, has publicly shared her experiences for the first time following her lawsuit against the prominent music figure.
In the lawsuit filed in New York federal court on Tuesday, Graves claims that Combs and his former security guard Joseph Sherman raped her at the Bad Boy Records studio in Manhattan in 2001. At that time, Graves was 25 years old and alleges she was given a drink that was “likely laced with a drug,” which caused her to lose consciousness. She reportedly awoke to find herself restrained, with Combs and Sherman allegedly abusing her.
The lawsuit accuses both men of violently attacking her, including slamming her onto a table and forcing her to perform unwanted sexual acts. Graves asserts that throughout the assault, her cries for help went ignored.
In a press conference in Los Angeles, accompanied by her attorney Gloria Allred, Graves expressed the deep emotional pain caused by the alleged assault. She described her suffering as reaching deep into her identity and leaving lasting emotional scars. Graves also mentioned discovering in 2023 that a video of the reported assault was being circulated, possibly as pornography.
The lawsuit requests that a judge orders the destruction of the video and prohibits any further distribution. Graves is also seeking unspecified damages, sharing her feelings of worthlessness and isolation due to the blame and threats she has faced.
Combs, who is currently 54, faces federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, with accusations of abusing women over many years to fulfill his sexual desires and protect his reputation. He was arrested in New York on September 16. A judge recently denied a request from his lawyers to allow him to await trial under house arrest at his luxury Miami Beach mansion.
Authorities allege that Combs operated a criminal enterprise through his various businesses, resorting to violence and coercion towards female victims and sex workers. During raids on his residences, investigators seized numerous items related to the allegations, including personal lubricants and firearms.
A newly resurfaced video of Combs from 1999 has garnered attention, where he makes a chilling comment implying the ongoing nature of his controversial parties. Combs had originally started hosting the “White Party” in the Hamptons in 1998, which became an exclusive event until its last occurrence in 2009.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, assistance is available through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting 233733.