Aubrey O’Day is reacting to her former music mentor Sean “Diddy” Combs receiving more than four years in prison following his months-long sex trafficking trial.
“Let this serve as a cautionary reminder to young and aspiring individuals pursuing their dreams,” the former Danity Kane singer, 41, shared in a written statement posted on her various social media channels on Friday, October 3.
“The true warning is not that a jury may doubt your testimony, nor that a court’s sentencing guidelines may fail to reflect the years of suffering you endured,” she continued. “The real warning is this: the moment someone in a position of power oversteps your boundaries or demands more than is legitimately required of you, walk away and do not look back.”
She added, “No dream, however bright, can outweigh the pain and exploitation that may follow if you remain. Too often, those who misuse their power, even when exposed, face far fewer consequences than the harm inflicted upon their victims. Protect yourself at the first sign of coercion or impropriety. If something feels wrong, trust that instinct and remove yourself from the situation. Your well-being is worth more than any opportunity.”
Aubrey O’Day Says She’s ‘Floored by the Jury’s Verdict’ in Diddy Trial: ‘The Evidence Is There’
Diddy was sentenced to 50 months — just a little over four years — on Friday after he was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. (Diddy pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied all the allegations against him.)
Diddy’s lawyers responded to the sentencing by promising to appeal both the rapper’s sentence and conviction.
“Both the guidelines calculation and the sentence took account of conduct for which Mr. Combs was acquitted by a jury,” attorney Marc Agnifilo told The New York Post on Saturday, October 4. “We contend this amounts to legal error.”
Aubrey O’Day and Diddy Getty Images; FilmMagic
In July, Diddy’s lawyers filed a motion asking the court to acquit their client or grant him a new trial. That motion was denied. Days before sentencing, the defense also asked the court to give the disgraced mogul a 14-month sentence followed by a supervised release with mandatory drug treatment, individual therapy and group therapy, arguing their proposed sentence “is the only just and fair sentence” because “Mr. Combs’s crimes of conviction” stipulated a prison term of six to 12 months.
That request was ignored.
The Sean John founder’s legal team also argued that Diddy’s 13 months spent in jail throughout his trial and leading up to his sentencing were a punishment, alleging that his time spent behind bars include “constant suicide watch,” “limited access to clean water” and “lack of access to healthy, or edible, food.”
Aubrey O’Day Shares Cryptic Post About ‘Justice’ After Diddy’s Arrest: ‘Things Are Finally Changing’
O’Day was not the only woman to have worked with Diddy to speak out following the rapper’s sentencing. Cassie Ventura, who dated Diddy and testified against him in court, also reacted to his prison sentence via her lawyer.
“While nothing can undo the trauma caused by Combs, the sentence imposed today recognizes the impact of the serious offenses he committed,” attorney Douglas Wigdor told Us Weekly on Friday. “We are confident that with the support of her family and friends, Ms. Ventura will continue healing knowing that her bravery and fortitude have been an inspiration to so many.”
