Sean “Diddy” Combs’ businesses are now feeling the fallout of the multiple sexual assault allegations against the rapper/producer. His Empower Global digital marketplace has lost several brands following the sexual assault lawsuit filed by his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. According to Rolling Stone, 18 brands have cut ties with the website, which is described as “an immersive e-commerce experience offering best in class products - apparel, beauty, fashion, art, travel—from Black-owned businesses.”
Annette Njau, founder of designer bag and eyewear brand House of Takura, made it clear that Cassie’s lawsuit directly led the company to move on from Empower Global.
“This decision was made on the day that Casandra Ventura filed her lawsuit,” Njau said. “We take the allegations against Mr. Combs very seriously and find such behavior abhorrent and intolerable. We believe in victims’ rights, and support victims in speaking their truth, even against the most powerful of people.”
Haby Barry, founder of jewelry company Fulaba, also distanced her business from the Bad Boy founder, saying, “Fulaba is all about empowering women and girls. We will not associate with anything or anyone that is counter to our values.”
For some brands, the site’s lackluster performance already had them ready to exit, with the allegations against Diddy speeding up their plans to leave the venture.
“We enjoyed working with the team, but have not seen meaningful sales, so we were already planning to terminate our relationship at the end of this year,” shoe designer Rebecca Allen said. “These harrowing allegations have expedited our decision, and we ended our partnership with Empower Global earlier this month.”
As previously reported by The Root, on Nov. 16, Ventura filed a lawsuit accusing the hip-hop superstar of “rape, repeated physical abuse, sexual assault, sexual battery, and of violating New York City’s gender-motivated violence law.” With no details released, the suit was settled the next day. In the wake of Cassie’s allegations, the billionaire has seen three other women file sexual assault lawsuits against him. Following accusations that he was involved in the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl, Combs responded on Instagram.
“Enough is enough. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,” he wrote. “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick pay day. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
The Empower Global chaos, along with his previous announcement that he was stepping down as chairman of pop culture media company Revolt TV, seems to signal that Combs’ businesses will feel serious backlash from these lawsuits and accusations.