Aubrey O’Day described Sean “Diddy” Combs’ abuse as “a cautionary reminder” following his sentencing to 50 months in prison and a $50,000 fine by a New York judge on Friday (Oct. 3).
The music mogul was convicted in July on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution, though he was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
Throughout the seven-week trial, several women—including his former partner Cassie Ventura—testified that Diddy physically and sexually assaulted them, often during multi-day encounters involving drugs and sex workers.
O’Day, who had previously accused Diddy of sexual harassment and “grooming” her during her time on his MTV reality show Making the Band, spoke out again. The series created the girl group Danity Kane, launching her career under Diddy’s Bad Boy Entertainment label.
In an August interview with Decider, O’Day revealed she once carried a “butcher knife” out of fear of Diddy’s retaliation after she began speaking up about his behavior.
Following the verdict, she took to X to caution aspiring artists that no level of success is worth enduring abuse or exploitation in the pursuit of fame.
“The real warning isn’t that a jury might question your truth, or that a court’s sentence could ever match the years of pain you’ve lived through. The real warning is this: the moment someone in power crosses your boundaries or asks for more than what’s right, walk away and don’t look back,” O’Day wrote.
She continued, “No dream, no matter how dazzling, is worth the pain and exploitation that can come from staying. Too often, people who abuse their power face far fewer consequences than the damage they cause. Protect yourself the moment you sense coercion or wrongdoing. If something feels off, trust your instincts and get out. Your peace and safety are worth more than any opportunity.”
