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Lizzette Martinez, who is a survivor of R. Kelly, spoke out about the unearthed hotel surveillance footage of Diddy beating ex Cassie
By Demetria Osei-Tutu,Shanicka Anderson
Lizzette Martinez holds a press conference with her attorney Gloria Allred in August 2019 (Image: Getty Images)
Lizzette Martinez spoke out on the ABC special Secret Life of Diddy - A Special Edition of 20/20, which aired Wednesday, October 9, about a troubling memory she can't shake off involving Sean "Diddy" Combs.
The writer and R.Kelly survivor recounted how the hotel surveillance footage showing Diddy assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura in 2016 is something that has stayed with her. This footage, released by CNN in May, captured the moment Diddy, wearing a bathrobe, attacked Cassie.
"I knew what she was feeling, just wanting to get out of there, and it just broke my heart," Lizzette said during the special.
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Despite new developments in Diddy's trial and the denial of a gag order, Martinez underlined the impact of the case on other survivors: "I've spoken to the other girls that are involved in my case and we're all deeply saddened and triggered. I can't unsee that Cassie video. You can tell me whatever you want to tell me about him. I cannot unsee the video."
She lauded the courage of those who speak up: "She helped others feel that they could come forward and that's huge. That you put yourself on the line."
Lizzette Martinez attends Lifetime's “Surviving R Kelly” Emmy FYC Screening in May 2019 (Image: Getty Images for Lifetime)
Throughout the one-hour program, she likewise commented on not being "surprised" by the allegations against Diddy, reflecting on the nature of current events: "Nothing really surprises me these days," reports The Mirror
Lizzette, a survivor of R. Kelly's abuse, first shared her story in a 2018 BuzzFeed article and later spoke out in the Lifetime docuseries Surviving R.Kelly and during his 2022 court hearing, which ultimately led to his conviction and 30-year prison sentence for racketeering and sex trafficking.
Now, Diddy, 54, faces similar charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
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Diddy and his legal team vehemently deny all allegations (Image: Getty)
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Following his indictment and arrest in New York City on September 16, Diddy is being held in federal custody at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, where R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell were also once held, after being denied bail three times.
His legal team recently accused the government of leaking 2016 surveillance footage to damage his reputation, claiming in court documents obtained by The Daily Express that "Government employees have repeatedly leaked grand jury information and materials to the press to raise public hostility against Mr. Combs in advance of trial."
Diddy has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied the allegations against him.
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Assault Cassie Ventura
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