Thalia Graves, who has accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual assault, publicly spoke for the first time following her lawsuit against the music executive. The lawsuit, submitted on Tuesday in a New York federal court, claims that Combs and his former security guard, Joseph Sherman, raped her in 2001 at the Bad Boy Records studio in Manhattan.
Graves, then 25 years old, alleges that she was given a drink that was potentially drugged, resulting in her losing consciousness. She claims to have woken up bound and restrained, where Combs and Sherman are said to have assaulted her. The lawsuit describes a violent encounter in which she was beaten and forced to perform sexual acts, with both men allegedly ignoring her cries for help.
At a press conference in Los Angeles with her attorney, Gloria Allred, Graves shared the deep emotional pain she has suffered since the assault, describing it as more than just physical harm, but rather an emotional trauma that leaves lasting scars. She also expressed her distress upon discovering that a video of the alleged incident was being circulated, prompting her to seek an injunction for its destruction and to prohibit further distribution.
Graves articulated the feelings of blame and isolation she has experienced, and expressed relief that Combs is currently incarcerated, although she acknowledges that it is only a temporary solace.
Combs, aged 54, faces federal charges including sex trafficking and racketeering. The indictment outlines allegations spanning back to 2009, accusing him of abusing and coercing women to serve his sexual desires while trying to maintain his public image. He was apprehended in New York on September 16.
On Tuesday, he was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn following a plea of not guilty. A judge denied his request to await trial under house arrest in his luxury Miami Beach home. The indictment portrays Combs as operating a criminal enterprise through various businesses, employing violence and manipulation to achieve his objectives.
During investigations into his properties, authorities seized items purportedly linked to illicit activities, including firearms and significant quantities of personal lubricants.
A previously recorded video surfaced depicting Combs discussing his notorious parties, where he ominously hinted at the challenges he faced regarding their future. The White Party, which began in 1998, became a high-profile event attended by various celebrities, none of whom have been implicated in the ongoing legal matters surrounding Combs.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, support is available through the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting 233733.