Kalenna Harper came to the defense of Diddy during a recent interview with Break Beat Media. Discussing Cassie’s lawsuit against the Bad Boy mogul, Harper labeled her “naive” and downplayed the legitimacy of her allegations. She had accused Diddy of alleged physical and sexual violence throughout their relationship, which he denied. They ended up settling the lawsuit just one day after Cassie filed.
“Love her to death. Naive. Like getting high. She likes partying,” Harper said about the singer, as caught by Bossip. “I saw Cassie grow up from a little girl. That was willing to, like, give everybody motherf***ing, you know, lap dances, basically. You know, get drunk and just have a good, like, model time.” Months after the lawsuit, CNN published resurfaced security camera footage of Diddy hitting Cassie at a hotel in 2016.
Harper also discussed the lawsuit filed by her former collaborator, Dawn Richard. It was one of numerous lawsuits alleged victims came forward with in the wake of Cassie’s allegations. “I don’t f**k with Dawn like that. And I’m going to f***ing stand no business,” she said. “I didn’t see that. What I saw was what the f**k is going on with you because you act all weird. You’re a weird b***h.” Harper and Richard were both members of Dirty Money with Diddy. She previously denied having witnessed any of the abuse mentioned by Richard in a statement shortly after she filed the lawsuit.
Diddy is currently behind bars at the infamous Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after he and his legal team unsuccessfully argued that he should get out on bail at his arraignment on Tuesday. One key part of the prosecution’s case against letting him back onto the street was concerns that he might attempt to contact alleged victims and witnesses, according to Rolling Stone. They referenced the Bad Boy mogul allegedly blowing up his Dirty Money bandmate Kalenna Harper’s cellphone after the group’s other member, Dawn Richard, accused him of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, fraud, and more in a lawsuit. The state claims he contacted Harper 128 times through calls and texts over the course of just four days.
Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson argued in the courtroom: “Witnesses have universally expressed fear of the defendant.” Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo, had offered to pay $50 million for bail and said that his client would remain on house arrest in Miami with constant surveillance. Judge Robyn Tarnofsky wasn’t impressed by the offer. “This is a crime that happens behind closed doors, even when pretrial services is monitoring,” she ruled, as caught by CNN.
Diddy & Dawn Richard Perform Together On “Good Morning America”
Agnifilo still intends to appeal the ruling, telling reporters outside of the courtroom: “He’s going to clear his name and we’re going to stand by his side as he does. We believe in him wholeheartedly. He came here to turn himself in. Why doesn’t the government want him to turn himself in? Because then they can’t ask for detention. All we can do is show good faith. He got on a plane and he came here. They arrested a guy who came here to turn himself in.”
Diddy’s attorneys have also sent a letter to the judge labeling the conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn “horrific.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Diddy on HotNewHipHop.
Diddy spent the night in federal custody, but one of his former collaborators has denied accusations laid against him. Diddy-Dirty Money member Kalenna Harper states she never saw him abuse former girlfriend Cassie, contrasting what the other member, Dawn Richard, alleges in a lawsuit.
According to TMZ, Kalenna is mentioned 33 times in the lawsuit, but denies the claims: “While I fully respect Dawn’s right to recount her experiences, I want to emphasize that her account reflects her personal perspective and should not be interpreted as a universal truth applicable to everyone involved.”
She added, “Many of the allegations and incidents described in this suit are not representative of my experiences, and some do not align with my own truth.”
Last week, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team responded to a recent lawsuit filed against him by singer-songwriter Dawn Richard, alleging physical abuse and sexual assault. In a statement to Complex, Diddy is “shocked and disappointed” by the lawsuit, describing it as a “manufactured series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a payday.”
The lawsuit, reported by TMZ, accuses Diddy of harassment and sexual abuse. Richard, a former member of Danity Kane and Diddy-Dirty Money, alleges a pattern of abusive behavior between 2009 and 2011. She claims he once forced her to rehearse for 48 hours straight, resulting in severe weight loss, fatigue, and dehydration. Richard also recalled an instance when, during a visit to Diddy’s Miami home, he greeted her wearing only his underwear and refused to dress.
The accusations extend further. Richard alleged Diddy forcibly entered her dressing room and groped her. In another incident, she claims he locked her in a car and was only released her after her father traveled from Baltimore to New York to confront Diddy. During the confrontation, Richard says Diddy warned her father, “Think about your daughter and think about your daughter’s career.”
The lawsuit also references an incident involving Cassie, in which Richard claims she witnessed Diddy violently throwing Cassie against a wall, choking her, and dragging her upstairs at his Los Angeles home while under the influence of drugs. She also alleges an incident when Diddy threw a hot pan of eggs at Cassie.
Richard claims that when she and her Diddy – Dirty Money bandmate Kalenna Harper advised Cassie to leave Diddy, he retaliated. Allegedly, he told them, “Y’all bitches don’t get in my relationship … Just make money and shut the fuck up,” and threatened their lives, stating, “I shelve careers … You could be missing … You bitches want to die today.”
Diddy’s legal team released a full statement to Complex:
“Mr. Combs is shocked and disappointed by this lawsuit. In an attempt to rewrite history, Dawn Richard has now manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a pay day — conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour. If Ms. Richard had such a negative experience with Making the Band and Danity Kane, she would not have chosen to continue working directly with Mr. Combs for Dirty Money, nor would she have returned for the Making the Band reboot in 2020 or agreed to be featured on The Love Album last year. It’s unfortunate that Ms. Richard has cast their 20-year friendship aside to try and get money from him, but Mr. Combs is confidently standing on truth and looks forward to proving that in court.”
Although Diddy maintains his innocence, law enforcement have seemingly begun to investigate the claims. Back in March, Diddy’s Los Angeles and Miami homes were raided. Now, according to TMZ, Diddy is currently in federal custody in connection with the ongoing case.
So far, the only detail shared regarding his detainment is where it took place. The outlet claims Diddy was taken to the FBI’s (Federal Bureau of Investigation) field office in Manhattan, New York.
Marc Agnifilo, Diddy’s attorney, issued a statement regarding the matter to the outlet. Continue below to read.
We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sean “Diddy” Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community.
He is an imperfect person but Is not criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation, and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team has responded to a recent lawsuit filed against him by singer-songwriter Dawn Richard, alleging physical abuse and sexual assault. In a statement to Complex, Diddy is “shocked and disappointed” by the lawsuit, describing it as a “manufactured series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a payday.”
The lawsuit, reported by TMZ, accuses Diddy of harassment and sexual abuse. Richard, a former member of Danity Kane and Diddy-Dirty Money, alleges a pattern of abusive behavior between 2009 and 2011. She claims he once forced her to rehearse for 48 hours straight, resulting in severe weight loss, fatigue, and dehydration. Richard also recalled an instance when, during a visit to Diddy’s Miami home, he greeted her wearing only his underwear and refused to dress.
The accusations extend further. Richard alleged Diddy forcibly entered her dressing room and groped her. In another incident, she claims he locked her in a car and was only released her after her father traveled from Baltimore to New York to confront Diddy. During the confrontation, Richard says Diddy warned her father, “Think about your daughter and think about your daughter’s career.”
The lawsuit also references an incident involving Cassie, in which Richard claims she witnessed Diddy violently throwing Cassie against a wall, choking her, and dragging her upstairs at his Los Angeles home while under the influence of drugs. She also alleges an incident when Diddy threw a hot pan of eggs at Cassie.
Richard claims that when she and her Diddy – Dirty Money bandmate Kalenna Harper advised Cassie to leave Diddy, he retaliated. Allegedly, he told them, “Y’all bitches don’t get in my relationship … Just make money and shut the fuck up,” and threatened their lives, stating, “I shelve careers … You could be missing … You bitches want to die today.”
Diddy’s legal team released a full statement to Complex:
“Mr. Combs is shocked and disappointed by this lawsuit. In an attempt to rewrite history, Dawn Richard has now manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a pay day — conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour. If Ms. Richard had such a negative experience with Making the Band and Danity Kane, she would not have chosen to continue working directly with Mr. Combs for Dirty Money, nor would she have returned for the Making the Band reboot in 2020 or agreed to be featured on The Love Album last year. It’s unfortunate that Ms. Richard has cast their 20-year friendship aside to try and get money from him, but Mr. Combs is confidently standing on truth and looks forward to proving that in court.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing the worst chapter of his existence as a mogul. Just a few days after a Michigan man won a $100M default judgment against Diddy, he’s now facing the wrath of former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard, who has come forward with disturbing allegations. Richard, according to court documents obtained by TMZ, detailed a pattern of emotional manipulation, abuse, and violent behavior at the hands of Diddy, not only against herself but his ex-girlfriend, Cassie, as well.
According to TMZ, Dawn Richard claims her ordeal began in 2004 when she appeared on Diddy’s MTV show Making The Band. She alleges that Diddy manipulated her by promising to advance her music career in exchange for compliance with his erratic and demeaning demands. Richard recounts how Diddy regularly humiliated female contestants, calling them derogatory names like “fat,” “ugly,” “bitches,” and “hoes.” Turning a dream into a nightmare, she claims Diddy targeted her specifically due to her excitement at working with him. The alleged manipulation extended beyond just verbal abuse. Richard’s lawsuit suggests that Diddy used his power and influence to keep her in line, creating an uneven dynamic that held her future in the industry dependent on her willingness to endure his behavior.
Witnessing The Abuse Of Cassie
One of the most shocking aspects of Dawn Richard’s lawsuit involves her eyewitness accounts of Diddy’s alleged physical abuse of his ex-girlfriend, Cassie. According to TMZ, Richard says that in 2005, she saw another of Diddy’s former partners, Kim Porter, leaving a music studio with visible injuries. This incident, she claims, was the first red flag indicating that Diddy would leverage physical violence if needed.
Things escalated when, in 2009, Richard claims she personally witnessed Diddy violently assault Cassie at his Los Angeles home. Allegedly high on drugs, Diddy reportedly hurled Cassie against a wall, choked her, and dragged her up a flight of stairs. Similarly, she claims that in another situation, Diddy allegedly punched Cassie in the face and attempted to strangle her. Richard also recounts a separate incident where Diddy hurled a hot pan of eggs at Cassie in a fit of rage while shouting, “I’ve been asking you for my s**t; I can’t stand you bitch, you never do it right!”
In addition to witnessing the abuse, Richard claims that Diddy took extreme measures to keep those around him silent. TMZ reports that Richard and other associates, including Kalenna Harper, her Diddy-Dirty Money bandmate, tried to convince Cassie to leave Diddy. However, once he found out about the conversation, it allegedly prompted an intense response. Richard alleges that Diddy threatened them, saying, “Y’all bitches don’t get in my relationship” and “Don’t tell my bitch [Cassie] what she need to be doing … Just make money and shut the f**k up … I end artists … I shelve careers … You could be missing … You bitches want to die today.”
This climate of fear, which has been a common theme among the lawsuits filed against him recently by former associates and employees, allegedly extended to Richard herself. Diddy reportedly manipulated those closest to him into submission by using his power and threats to derail their careers if they spoke out against him.
Richard’s Personal Experiences Of Abuse
Though much of the lawsuit surrounds the alleged heinous acts that Richard witnessed, she also details her own experience of abuse at Diddy’s hands. The TMZ report says she claims that Diddy subjected her to grueling work conditions. She alleged that he forced her to rehearse for up to 48 hours without rest. The constant strain led to severe physical issues, including dehydration, fatigue, and extreme weight loss. She also recalls a disturbing encounter at Diddy’s Miami home, where he allegedly demanded that she come over while he wore nothing but his underwear. “This is my f**king house!” he allegedly responded after she requested that he clothe himself.
The abuse escalated further between 2009 and 2011, according to the suit. Richard alleges that, while naked, Diddy entered her dressing room and inappropriately touched her breasts and butt. Another alarming incident detailed in the lawsuit claims that Diddy locked her inside of a car with heavily tinted windows for two hours. She claims that she screamed for help and at one point, even tried calling her father. Richard alleges that her dad traveled to New York from Baltimore to confront Diddy and try to free her but the mogul allegedly issued not-so-subtle threats to him. Once he threatened to take the matters to the authorities, Diddy reportedly responded, “Think about your daughter” and “think about your daughter’s career.”
Conclusion
We’re nearly reaching the one-year mark since Cassie dropped her own bombshell lawsuit, causing a domino effect in the industry. Over the past 10 months, Diddy has been hit with more heinous allegations from former colleagues and associates. Shortly after, his homes were raided by federal agents, reportedly as part of a much bigger investigation. Thusfar, Diddy has not faced any criminal charges, though it feels like this lawsuit from Richard is far from the last.
Danity Kane’s Dawn Richard is the latest accuser to come forward with allegations against Diddy and has now sued him.
In the lawsuit obtained by Rolling Stone, Richard claims Diddy “manipulated her with mantras that submission to his depraved demands was necessary for career advancement, instilling in her the belief that such abuse and exploitation were required for female artists to succeed in the music industry.” The suit alleges that Diddy groped Richard, locked her in a car for two hours, and threatened her life. It also claims Richard saw Diddy become physically violent with women.
The suit was filed in the Southern District of New York on September 10, and Richard (who was in the group Diddy-Dirty Money alongside Diddy and Kalenna Harper) has also sued former Bad Boy Entertainment CEO Harve Pierre.
Richard’s suit backs up claims made by Cassie in her own Diddy lawsuit, with Richard saying she saw Diddy chose and strangle Cassie. On one occasion, she witness him throw a hot pan of eggs at Cassie and drug her up some stairs. She also says she tried convincing Cassie to leave Diddy, but he was apparently enraged when he found out, saying he makes “n****s go missing,” and, “I end people.”
As Rolling Stone notes, Richard is now the eighth person to accuse Diddy of sexual assault.
The lawsuits against Diddyaren’t going to slow down anytime soon and Dawn Richard’s set of allegations is more proof of that. According to a haunting report from TMZ, they obtained legal documents from the singer and just the number of accounts alone is eye-popping. However, the actual contents of each accusation are even more so. Richard and Diddy’s relationship began in 2004 via the latter’s program on MTV, “Making The Band”. This is when she started to learn that the Bad Boys mogul was capable of some committing some serious to harm to herself and others.
For example, in 2005, Richard says she saw one of the rapper’s former girlfriends, Kim Porter, leaving a studio with her face bashed. Then, in 2006, Richard recalls when Diddy first met Cassie and was extremely predatory towards her. Later, in 2009, she claims that she witnessed him toss the singer against wall, pin her to it by choking her, and then drag up her the stairs all while intoxicated on drugs in his L.A. residence. Additionally, Richard remembers when Diddy hurdled hot scrambled eggs at Cassie and scolded her for not making them properly. “I’ve been asking you for my s***; I can’t stand you b****, you never do it right!”
Dawn Richard’s Accounts Paint Diddy As A Horror Villain
Eventually, the veteran singer and some of her friends warned Cassie and urged her to leave Diddy. This got back to him, and he threatened to take their lives and end their careers. “Y’all b****es don’t get in my relationship. Don’t tell my b**** what she need to be doing… Just make money and shut the f*** up… I end artists… I shelve careers… You could be missing… You b****es want to die today”. After that exchange it seems that’s when the entrepreneur began to target Richard, too. She recounts a time when she was forced to record for 48 hours straight with no sleep leading to some physical issues.
Furthermore, there was an even worse stretch from ’09-2011. Diddy began to touch Richard inappropriately while she was naked in her dressing room at his studio. Additionally, she says that she was locked in a car with tinted windows rolled up. She called her dad to help, and he had to travel from Baltimore to New York to do so. When he arrived and confronted Diddy, he said, “Think about your daughter… Think about your daughter’s career.” So far, no response from the rapper on any of this. What are your thoughts on these newest allegations from Dawn Richard against Diddy? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Diddy and Dawn Richard. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Dawn Richard is a multifaceted artist renowned for her time with the girl group Danity Kane and her prolific solo career. She has a net worth of $2.5 million as of 2024, according to CelebrityNetWorth. Richard’s career is a testament to her versatility and dedication to artistic innovation, allowing her to maintain a unique presence in the music industry while exploring entrepreneurial ventures.
Early Success With Danity Kane
Dawn Richard first gained national attention as a member of Danity Kane, formed through MTV’s Making the Band series, produced by Sean “Diddy” Combs. The group’s debut album, Danity Kane, topped the Billboard 200 chart, featuring hits like “Show Stopper” and “Ride for You.” Their sophomore album, Welcome to the Dollhouse, also debuted at number one, solidifying their position in the pop and R&B landscape. Richard’s vocal prowess and dynamic stage presence were integral to the group’s success, helping them achieve platinum status and widespread acclaim.
Transition To Solo Career & Diddy-Dirty Money
After Danity Kane disbanded in 2009, Richard continued collaborating with Sean Combs as part of the trio Diddy-Dirty Money. The group released the critically acclaimed album Last Train to Paris. It showcased a blend of electro-pop, R&B, and hip-hop, further highlighting Richard’s versatility. Songs like “Hello Good Morning” and “Coming Home” allowed her to explore different musical styles and reach a broader audience.
Richard’s transition to a solo career marked a significant evolution in her artistic journey. She released a series of independent albums, starting with the critically acclaimed Goldenheart in 2013. This album, along with its sequels Blackheart and Redemption, formed a trilogy that was praised for its innovative sound and deep lyrical content. Richard’s willingness to experiment with genres such as electronic, R&B, and dance has set her apart as a trailblazing artist in the independent music scene.
Entrepreneurial Ventures & Influence
Beyond her music career, Dawn Richard has ventured into entrepreneurship. She also launched her brand and participated in various business initiatives. She has remained active in fashion, often integrating her distinct style into her performances and public appearances. Richard’s entrepreneurial spirit extends to her involvement in tech and creative startups, reflecting her forward-thinking approach to her career.
Richard’s influence extends beyond her music and business ventures. She advocates artistic freedom and innovation, often speaking about the importance of authenticity in art. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to reinvent herself continually inspire both fans and fellow artists. Dawn Richard’s net worth reflects her successful transition from mainstream pop stardom to an independent artist and entrepreneur. Her journey illustrates her resilience, creativity, and commitment to pushing artistic boundaries, solidifying her legacy as a multifaceted and influential figure in the music industry.
Electronic artist Dawn Richard is one of those creators who seems to never rest. A former member of Danity Kane, the last decade saw Dawn drop four celebrated albums, appear in several films, guest on other artists’ albums, become a curator at Adult Swim, and open up her own successful vegan food truck in New Orleans, Papa Ted’s. When we entered a new decade, no one would’ve blamed the woman for resting on her laurels.
But we all knew that wasn’t happening, right? This year brought Richard’s latest — and greatest — album to date, Second Line, which rightfully debuted at #1 on the iTunes Electronic charts when it released a few months back. The nocturnal, pulsing rhythms throughout the whole run of Second Line harken back to the early days of techno, house, and the electronic genres that Black producers pioneered in the late ’70s and early ’80s, genres that would go on to define the sound and feel of modern music. In that sense, Second Line is both nostalgic and contemporary, with hints of futurism via the album’s imagery and production that point to where music might be in another five to ten years.
As the pandemic continues to wane, we hit up Dawn for a travel guide. We told her she could pick anyplace to focus on that she wanted and she hit us back with a guide to her five favorite Black-owned art spaces in Los Angeles. Before you jump into the guide, be sure to give Second Line a spin and watch the animated video for “Voodoo (Intermission)” below.
The inspiration I get walking into this place moves me. When I want to sketch, I always go there to get inspired. There is so much history in this place; it’s one of the popular Black Museums in Los Angeles. This was the first museum I visited when I moved to LA… I was just blown away.
Another fun visual is the interior design of the museum; I love the way the museum is designed and mapped. The flow feels good. I know most people wouldn’t look at that but I do, lol!
As soon as you walk into this Gallery you can feel its pulse. It’s small, boutique even. And that’s part of its charm. I’m someone who prefers light crowds and I feel like I can admire the art in such a better way at a gallery like this. Los Angeles can be massive, so finding a small gem that feels like it’s all for you is perfection.
I recommend all creatives check this slice of heaven out.
I love the outreach that this museum does for artists in the community. Coming from New Orleans, community outreach was crucial for artists like me who had limited resources. I think the appeal of this museum for me is at any given time you can find local artists being supported or highlighted.
Not many museums showcase local talent like this space.
A lot of incredible artists can be found here! I try to go on Wednesdays because I find new intriguing artists every time. I like that it was founded by a collective of creatives, which makes it a haven for people like me. You get a sense of local support and community. When I was recording my album Goldenheart, I would come to the Mart for artistic stimulation.
I love this space because they celebrate and showcase Haitian, Cuban, and contemporary ethnic art. Fabius, who was born in Port-au-Prince, came to the US when she was eight years old and runs the space along with her partner, Giacomini, a French American sculptor and artist. Being of Haitian decent it was something that felt close to home. Six years ago, I discovered my Haitian culture and have been learning and delving into my heritage ever since.
This modern space shows the best of Haitian art and its artists. I learn new visual stories every time I visit, and feel closer to Haiti artistically when I visit. I grab a cup of coffee and just experience the beauty!