Kristin Chenoweth has opened up about her experience with domestic violence.
The Broadway actress, 55, revealed in a series of posts that she was “severely abused” by an unnamed ex in a past relationship. Chenoweth's admission comes after she reacted to a video of Sean “Diddy” Combs attacking his ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in resurfaced security footage.
In a post shared on X, formerly Twitter, the Happiness The star wrote: “Honestly, I have my reasons why Sean Combs' video bothers me so much. The main thing I need to do is pray for him. TRUE.”
However, her post drew criticism from fans for appearing sympathetic to Combs, as one person told Chenoweth to pray for the “victims” and not the “evil abusers.” In response, he took the opportunity to share his own experience.
“I never meant to say it but here we go,” Chenoweth began in a separate post. “Several years ago I suffered serious abuse. It took therapy and prayer for me to understand that I deserved better.
“I felt deeply hurt physically and spiritually,” she continued. “The only thing I knew how to do when I came out was pray. Pray for me. Pray for him as he grew up abused. So. “There they all go.”
Chenoweth explained in another post that “it was the lowest I've ever been in my life,” but noted that “it takes years…to heal” from domestic abuse.
“I must admit that I have not yet forgiven. It's beyond me. “God is helping me on that part,” she added, hoping that sharing his experience “would help someone” else.
The singer is currently married to her husband Josh Bryant. Before their wedding, which took place in September 2023, Chenoweth was engaged to actor Marc Kudisch from 1998 to 2001. She previously dated Lane Garrison, Seth Green, Aaron Sorkin and Dana Brunetti.
The independent Chenoweth representatives have been contacted for comment.
Chenoweth's candid posts come after security footage resurfaced showing Combs punching and kicking Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016. The video, obtained by cnn, showed the towel-wrapped music mogul chasing Ventura down the hallway, before attacking her near the elevators. He then tried to drag her down the hallway.
After pushing Ventura to the ground, Combs retrieved a purse and suitcase from the floor near the elevators. He turned around and kicked her again while she was on the ground. Ventura was later seen in the footage slowly getting up and picking up items from the floor before reaching for a hotel phone on the hallway wall near the elevators. Combs returned, still wearing a towel and socks, as a mirror directly in front of the security camera showed him pushing Ventura. He was then seen throwing an object at her.
The incident allegedly took place at the InterContinental Hotel in the Century City area of Los Angeles. According cnnCombs later paid the hotel $50,000 for security footage of the hallway.
The video appeared to corroborate several allegations made in a lawsuit filed by Ventura in November 2023, in which she alleged that Combs raped and beat her on numerous occasions over 10 years. Ventura and Combs settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount one day after it was filed.
On Sunday, May 19, Combs posted a video on Instagram apologizing for the incident seen on security footage. He called his behavior “inexcusable” and said he “will take full responsibility for his actions in the video,” although he did not mention Ventura by name.
Combs called the incident “one of the darkest moments of his life,” saying he was “f***ed up” and “disgusted by his actions.”
He said he has “asked God for mercy and grace” but “is not asking for forgiveness,” adding that he is “truly sorry” and that he sought professional help and went to therapy and rehab after the 2016 incident.
“It's very difficult to reflect on the darkest moments in life, but sometimes you have to do it,” he said. “I was screwed, I hit rock bottom, but I don't make excuses. “My behavior in that video is inexcusable.”
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline offers support to women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit Shelter website. There is a dedicated men's advice line at 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Other international helplines can be found through www.befrienders.org.
