Former Diddy Dirty Money member Kalenna Harper spoke out about being named multiple times in the recent lawsuit filed against Diddy by her fellow groupmate Dawn Richard. Her response might raise more than a few eyebrows.
As previously reported by The Root, on Sep. 11, Richard filed the suit against the Bad Boy mogul, alleging that he “belittled, terrorized and sexually abused her” for years following her appearance on MTV’s popular show “Making the Band” back in 2000.
In the suit, Richard claims she and Harper were witnesses to the abuse Diddy performed against his then girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
In a since-expired post to her Instagram story captured by PEOPLE on Monday, Harper is now responding to being name dropped in the lawsuit and making it clear where she stands.
“I acknowledge the recent lawsuit filed by Dawn Richard in which my name has been mentioned 33 times. While I fully respect Dawn’s right to recount her experiences, l want to emphasize that her account reflects her personal perspective and should not be interpreted as a universal truth applicable to everyone involved,” she began.
Harper went on to explain that while she may have been present “in some of the same professional settings mentioned,” many of the allegations and incidents Richard mentioned do not “align with” her own truth. She also maintained that both she and her husband have always acted with professional integrity and that they were never involved in any abusive or unlawful behavior.
“As this matter is now part of an ongoing legal process, I will refrain from discussing any specific details further. My focus continues to be on my same dedication and positivity that have always guided me. I trust that the legal system will handle this case with the fairness and thoroughness it requires, and I support any process that seeks to uncover the truth,” she concluded.
Diddy has also since responded to Richard’s suit through his lawyer Erica Wolff:
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.