Thalia Graves, who claims to be a victim of Sean “Diddy” Combs, has publicly shared her ordeal for the first time following her lawsuit against the music mogul.
In the lawsuit submitted to a New York federal court on Tuesday, Graves alleges that Combs and his ex-security guard, Joseph Sherman, raped her at the Bad Boy Records studio in Manhattan back in 2001.
At 25 years old, Graves asserts that she was served a drink “likely laced with a drug,” leading to her losing consciousness. Upon regaining awareness, she claims to have found herself bound and restrained, with Combs and Sherman allegedly proceeding to perpetrate sexual violence against her.
The lawsuit states that Graves endured violent physical abuse, including being “forcefully slammed onto a table” and coerced into performing sexual acts, while her pleas for help went unheeded by both men.
During a press conference in Los Angeles with her attorney, Gloria Allred, Graves described the internal pain from the assault as profound and difficult to articulate. She expressed that the emotional scars may never fully heal, saying, “It goes beyond just the physical harm caused during the assault. It’s a pain that reaches into the very core of who I am.”
Graves revealed that in 2023, she discovered a video of the alleged assault was circulating and potentially being spread as pornography. Her lawsuit seeks a court order to prevent further distribution of the video and requests unspecified damages.
“Being blamed, questioned, and threatened has oftentimes made me feel worthless, isolated, and sometimes responsible for what has happened to me,” Graves stated. She emphasized her emotional scars and indicated a sense of temporary relief regarding Combs’ legal situation.
Combs, aged 54, is facing federal charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering, with allegations stretching back to 2009. He is accused of using his influence to manipulate and threaten women to fulfill his desires and maintain his reputation.
On September 16, Combs was arrested in New York, and he has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, known for its harsh conditions, after a judge denied his request to await trial under house arrest at his Miami Beach mansion.
The indictment accuses Combs of running a criminal enterprise through his various businesses, using violence and intimidation against victims. In a recent raid on his properties, authorities seized numerous items, including firearms and a substantial amount of personal lubricant.
Recently, a resurfaced video showed Combs reflecting on his controversial parties, mentioning that they no longer receive permits, which he linked to a reluctance to let him have such gatherings.
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.