Latest news with #MeToo
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bill Maher Blames Diddy Accuser For Not Coming Forward Sooner
'Real Time' host Bill Maher weighed in on the ongoing trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, who stands indicted on federal charges including sex trafficking, and the comedian appeared to blame Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura for the abuse she allegedly suffered at his hands. 'We need to keep two thoughts in our head at the same time,' Maher said Friday on his show. 'One, Diddy is a bad dude — really bad. Like, the worst thing in rap since Hammer pants. A violent, sick fuck ... and we should lock him up and throw away the baby oil.' 'And two, things have changed enough so that moving forward, the rule should be, if you're being abused, you gotta leave right away,' he continued. 'Now, I completely understand why, in the past, women often did not do that.' Maher went on to argue that victims had little recourse prior to the #MeToo movement that emerged in the last decade and helped women expose their abusers, but suggested that victims who don't immediately speak out in today's age are at fault for sowing public mistrust. Ventura started dating Combs in 2007— notably before the #MeToo movement began —and she accused him in 2023 of repeated physical and sexual abuse that began gradually and grew worse over the course of their relationship. 'It's not victim-shaming to expect women to have the agency to leave toxic relationships,' Maher said on Friday. 'Quite the contrary, to not expect that is infantilizing,' he continued. 'If Diddy walks free, it will be because his lawyers can point to an endless stream of texts from Cassie expressing what's often called 'enthusiastic consent.'' A graphic on the screen next to Maher showed text messages from Ventura presented at trial in which she wrote, 'I'm always ready to freak off.' Combs' so-called 'freak offs' were orgies he allegedly organized, and he's accused of drugging Ventura and others before the events. Domestic violence victims often don't speak up publicly, or simply leave their abusers, out of warranted fear of retribution. While Maher claimed to 'understand' why it 'can be difficult for women to leave an abusive relationship,' his comments suggested he did not. 'This should be society's new grand bargain,' he said. 'We take every accusation seriously, but don't tell me anymore about your contemporaneous account that you said to two friends 10 years ago. Tell the police right away. Don't wait a decade. Don't journal about it.' 'Don't turn it into a one-woman show,' he added. 'And most importantly, don't keep fucking him. Your only contemporaneous notes about what he did should be the police report.' Ventura, who was shown in security footage released last year being brutally beaten by Combs, testified in court that she endured 'violent arguments that would usually result in some sort of physical abuse' — and that his security guards 'protected him' but 'kept an eye on me.' Representatives for Maher did not immediately respond to HuffPost's request for comment. Need help? Visit RAINN's National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's website. Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Mistrial Request Is Immediately Rejected Cassie Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Husband Alex Fine Weeks After Diddy Trial Testimony 'Marvel Supervillain': Kid Cudi Describes Meeting With Diddy After Molotov Cocktail Hit His Porsche
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bill Maher sparks backlash over Cassie and Diddy comments as trial continues
Bill Maher has ignited fury over his latest comments about the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial. To close out Friday night's Real Time With Bill Maher episode, the host delivered a monologue about the music mogul's ongoing trial and his thoughts on abuse and stardom. Combs is facing is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges. He was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused, and coerced victims 'to fulfill his sexual desires' between 2004 and 2024. Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing. 'Diddy is a bad dude, really bad,' Maher began. 'And we should lock him up and throw away the baby oil,' he continued in his signature satirical style. He then segued into discussing the trial in the context of the post-Me Too movement era, saying: 'Things have changed enough so that moving forward, the rule should be if you're being abused, you gotta leave right away.' 'Now I completely understand why in the past women often did not do that,' Maher continued. 'I understand, as counter-intuitive as it seems, why an abused woman would send complementary texts or emails to her abuser after the abuse. And that everywhere, women felt, for good reason, that O.G. predators like Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein would never be held accountable. Why not at least get something out of it?' He continued, noting that the alleged perpetrators of abuse were 'surrounded by all sorts of enablers' who 'lured women into unsafe spaces,' and 'cowards who knew what was going on but didn't dare expose the person who signed their paycheck.' 'In that scenario,' Maher continued, 'it was not illogical for an abused woman to say, 'Well, if I can't get justice for my pain, can I at least get a receipt?'' Maher went on to point out that aforementioned abusers Cosby and Weinstein went to prison, with the latter expected to die behind bars. He also pointed out that post-Me Too movement reporting indicates women are more likely to speak up against mistreatment and abuse. Still, he reiterated being 'aware that it can be difficult to leave an abusive relationship.' He then said that women should go to the police right away instead of journaling in the aftermath of experiencing mistreatment or abuse. 'And most importantly, don't keep f****** him,' he said, seemingly referring to Combs's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura's pattern of repeatedly returning to the music mogul despite the alleged abuse she experienced. After brief applause, he continued: 'Your only contemporaneous notes about what he did should be the police report. It's not victim shaming to expect women to have the agency to leave toxic relationships. Quite the contrary, to not expect that is infantilizing them.' Maher then noted that if Combs were to walk free, it could be due to the alleged text messages from Ventura 'expressing what's often called enthusiastic consent to their sex life.' Ventura's texts were cross-examined as part of Combs's trial. 'I get it. Part of the allure of the music industry is you wanna be a star,' Maher continued. 'And music is, to begin with, highly sexualized.' 'But if we're going to have an honest conversation about abuse, we also have to have an honest conversation about what people are willing to do for stardom,' he added. 'If you want a number one record on the charts so bad you'll take a number one in the face, some of that is on you.' Maher continued: 'If you're literally being held captive, that's one thing. But if you're putting up with whatever for love or for your career, then you need to have a little more honesty and accountability about that.' The Independent has contacted a press representative for Maher's show for comment. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly 1 in 3 college women say they've been in an abusive relationship, and, on average, it takes a woman about seven tries to leave an abusive relationship for good. Maher's monologue prompted intense backlash from women for failing to understand the difficulty in leaving abusive relationships, with several citing the 2016 hotel surveillance video that captured Ventura attempting to flee Combs while participating in one of his 'freak offs.' 'That's insanely ignorant, we have seen in the video that she tried to leave… yes women will be believed way faster than in the past, but still the abuse is not black and white,' one woman wrote on Facebook. 'Like she tried to leave the hotel? Don't be a pig, Bill,' someone else wrote. 'Until people are in a domestic violence relationship. They had no understanding of how hard it is to get out of one. It's not as easy as it seems,' another said. 'Floored by people who do not understand abusive relationships. You don't know what was actually going on. To say she stayed for the money is probably the crulest thing to say. Bill Maher is just a jerk,' someone else chimed in. 'Of course a man would make this comment. You have no idea what it is like to be in an abusive relationship and to get out of it. You need to just shut up about something you no nothing about,' someone else wrote on X. Another shared: 'Obviously, doesn't know anything about grooming, domestic violence abuse or keeping his f****** mouth shut!' The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men's advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via
News18
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Fans Simply Loved Chinmayi Sripada's Performance At Thug Life Event
Last Updated: Chinmayi Sripada was ousted from the South Indian Cine, Television Artistes and Dubbing Artists Union (SICTADAU) after the Me Too movement in 2018. Singer Chinmayi Sripada captivated the audience with her soulful performance at the Thug Life audio launch event in Chennai. While the occasion was marked by some powerful performances, her rendering of the Telugu version of Muththa Mazhai stood out. Her recent act came as a big surprise for fans as it was her first appearance since she was ousted from the South Indian Cine, Television Artistes and Dubbing Artists Union (SICTADAU) after the Me Too movement in 2018. As clips from her performance surfaced on social media, fans showered praises on the singer, with many calling her ban a 'big loss to the Tamil cinema.' A user commented, 'At least now, those in the film industry who have power should stand in her support and lift the ban." Another one shared, 'Feeling bad for Chinmayi, a proven singer, overlooked due to politics…. I hope ARR uses her version." Among all, her close friend and actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu lauded the singer for her comeback. Taking to Instagram, the Kushi actress extended her support with the hashtag BringBackChinmayi. This was accompanied by a video of the singer's recent performance at the launch event. Composed by the musical maestro, AR Rahman, the original Tamil version of the track is sung by Singer Dhee, with lyrics from Siva Ananth. Directed by Mani Ratnam, the action drama film features Kamal Haasan, Trisha Krishnan, Silambarasan, Joju George, Nassar, Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi and Aishwarya Lekshmi among others. It will be hitting the big screens on June 5. Coming back to Chinmayi, during the Me Too movement back in 2018, she alleged that lyricist Vairamuthu made advances towards her, highlighted claims and raised allegations against others in the music industry. Later on, she was banned from the South Indian Cine, Television Artistes, and Dubbing Artistes Union (SICTADAU) after she spoke out in support of those who had accused Radha Ravi, head of the dubbing union, of sexual harassment. Some of her notable songs include Titli from Chennai Express, O Kala Kathala from Dear Comrade, Iravingu Theevai from 96, Pranam from Jaanu, and Tere Bina from Guru, among others. First Published:
Hindustan Times
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Witness accusing Sean Combs of sexual assault defends online posts of 'great times'
The defense for Sean "Diddy" Combs on Friday used upbeat social media posts to attack the credibility of one of the women accusing the music mogul of sexual assault during his federal trial in New York. "Isn't it true that Mr Combs never had unwanted nonconsensual forcible contact with you?" lawyer Brian Steel said to a former Bad Boys Records assistant testifying under the pseudonym Mia, during questioning that included displays of her personal social media posts. The testimony came as US President Donald Trump pondered aloud if he would offer 55-year-old Combs a pardon during a press conference at the White House Friday, saying "I don't know, I would certainly look at the facts." The facts are still unfolding in a trial that is expected to last into summer, in a case that revolves around Combs's relationship with his former girlfriend, singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura. Earlier in the trial Ventura detailed years of alleged abuse and coercive, drug-fueled sex marathons with male prostitutes known as "freak-offs." This week, Mia described how her job between 2009 and 2017 became a nightmare as she worked to protect Ventura from Combs's fits of rage, or care for her after the attacks, tending to "busted lips," "bruises" and "a black eye." Combs would tell Mia to "go take care of her," adding that "we were not allowed" to go out until her injuries healed enough to conceal, Mia testified Thursday. She also testified that she personally endured abuses, including rapes, while working for Combs, recounting the painful and traumatic episodes with her head bowed. During cross examination on Friday, Steel confronted Mia with her social media posts, where she presented a much more positive image of her relationship with her boss. On a courtroom screen displaying Mia's Instagram posts, she called Combs "an extraordinary cultural phenomenon" and shared affectionate messages on his birthdays. Steel asked how she could publish such posts about a man she now accuses of sexual assault. "Of course you post the great times," Mia said. "Instagram is a place to show how great your life was even if it's not true." After Mia read her posts aloud, Steel questioned Mia's allegations, to which she replied twice "everything I said in this courtroom is true." "Ask any abuse victim's advocate and they could explain it to you much better than I could." On Thursday, Mia testified that Combs subjected her to "sporadic" instances of sexual violence, including at the artist's 40th birthday party at the Plaza Hotel in New York and his private residence in Los Angeles. "I just froze, I didn't react, terrified and confused," Mia said about one of the assaults. "He was the boss or the king, very powerful person," she said. "This is years and years before social media, Me Too, or any sort of example where someone had stood up successfully to someone in power such as him," she added. At the conclusion of the court's proceedings, jurors will have to determine whether that Grammy-winning artist and producer has used his fame, wealth and influence in hip-hop to support a criminal enterprise and sexual trafficking. arb/sla/jgc
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Witness accusing Sean Combs of sexual assault defends online posts of 'great times'
The defense for Sean "Diddy" Combs on Friday used upbeat social media posts to attack the credibility of one of the women accusing the music mogul of sexual assault during his federal trial in New York. "Isn't it true that Mr Combs never had unwanted nonconsensual forcible contact with you?" lawyer Brian Steel said to a former Bad Boys Records assistant testifying under the pseudonym Mia, during questioning that included displays of her personal social media posts. The testimony came as US President Donald Trump pondered aloud if he would offer 55-year-old Combs a pardon during a press conference at the White House Friday, saying "I don't know, I would certainly look at the facts." The facts are still unfolding in a trial that is expected to last into summer, in a case that revolves around Combs's relationship with his former girlfriend, singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura. Earlier in the trial Ventura detailed years of alleged abuse and coercive, drug-fueled sex marathons with male prostitutes known as "freak-offs." This week, Mia described how her job between 2009 and 2017 became a nightmare as she worked to protect Ventura from Combs's fits of rage, or care for her after the attacks, tending to "busted lips," "bruises" and "a black eye." Combs would tell Mia to "go take care of her," adding that "we were not allowed" to go out until her injuries healed enough to conceal, Mia testified Thursday. She also testified that she personally endured abuses, including rapes, while working for Combs, recounting the painful and traumatic episodes with her head bowed. - Instagram vs reality - During cross examination on Friday, Steel confronted Mia with her social media posts, where she presented a much more positive image of her relationship with her boss. On a courtroom screen displaying Mia's Instagram posts, she called Combs "an extraordinary cultural phenomenon" and shared affectionate messages on his birthdays. Steel asked how she could publish such posts about a man she now accuses of sexual assault. "Of course you post the great times," Mia said. "Instagram is a place to show how great your life was even if it's not true." After Mia read her posts aloud, Steel questioned Mia's allegations, to which she replied twice "everything I said in this courtroom is true." "Ask any abuse victim's advocate and they could explain it to you much better than I could." On Thursday, Mia testified that Combs subjected her to "sporadic" instances of sexual violence, including at the artist's 40th birthday party at the Plaza Hotel in New York and his private residence in Los Angeles. "I just froze, I didn't react, terrified and confused," Mia said about one of the assaults. "He was the boss or the king, very powerful person," she said. "This is years and years before social media, Me Too, or any sort of example where someone had stood up successfully to someone in power such as him," she added. At the conclusion of the court's proceedings, jurors will have to determine whether that Grammy-winning artist and producer has used his fame, wealth and influence in hip-hop to support a criminal enterprise and sexual trafficking. arb/sla/jgc
