Kelly Price is facing backlash after she said she’d pray for the “unique talent” of Sean “Diddy” Combs instead of consoling his victim, singer Cassie Ventura.
The award-winning R&B and gospel singer and Combs started in the music in the 90s, and they’ve maintained camaraderie since. Price gave some advice for the embattled music impresario regarding his apology video on Instagram that fans took umbrage of.
“It is my sincere prayer that the power of the Holy Ghost overtake you so that you not only have a change of heart but a change of mind and a change of direction. I have seen you at your best and at your worst. I know what you are capable of being when you were at your best despite the seductions of this industry,” Price penned.
“I need you to pray and I need you to receive from the most high,” she continued. “I need for those prayers to take place sincerely. You are a unique talent, and both sides that represent light and darkness receive you anxiously.”
After withstanding furiously negative reactions from fans — who were incensed that Price would encourage Combs but not Ventura — Price responded on Sunday afternoon.
“For those who misconstrued, misinterpreted or just chose to put words in my mouth, this is for clarity,” Price captioned an Instagram video on May 20. “If you choose to believe otherwise, that’s your choice, but I won’t let anyone call me out for something I didn’t do.”
A 12 minute video of Kelly Price doing anything is insane. https://t.co/HOdTxDPYcC
— Melanie Dione (@thegates0fmel) May 20, 2024
“I can’t offer redemption, forgiveness or grace because my name is Kelly, not Jesus,” Price stated. “Therapy + Jesus — that’s doing the soul work. What happens legally is up to the people who have that authority.”
Price added that she might remove the video from Instagram.
“I have not spoken about any of this stuff since it’s come out. I don’t stand with anything that is criminal. None of us can unsee what we saw,” Price said. “It was really more of a warning. … I simply told him because I believed that he would hear it. I was pretty much telling him: do the soul work.”
“I was basically telling him you gotta change your heart, you gotta change your mind, you gotta change your direction,” Price concluded. “I simply was saying he had to do the work.”
Diddy apologized on May 18, several days after CNN broadcast the video showing the Bad Boy boss slamming Ventura to the ground and then violently kicking and dragging her.
Fans voice their ire at Price for words of encouragement for Diddy
Fans remain put off by Price’s words for Combs and the lack of support for Ventura, who endured the beating.
I’m trying to find that long post from Kelly Price reaching out and supporting Cassie. pic.twitter.com/4tb198HRph
— Swing Out Sister’s Brother (@Roota_2DaToota) May 19, 2024
Question:
Did Kelly Price reach out to Cassie the way she reached out to her abuser?
Cassie is the victim here, not ole boy.
Women in the church or from the church always find a way to humanize abusers.
“Uncle Bishop was in a dark place when he touched you baby” pic.twitter.com/d7ul5zOybD
— ERIC (@EricUnedited) May 19, 2024
Honestly I’m happy Kelly Price’s friend stole her man. Idk 🤷🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/hpcTJEm88O
— Sheree’s Stolen Joggers (@richyrich323) May 19, 2024
Let’s be honest, who has liked Kelly Price after watching R&B Divas??? pic.twitter.com/vmO3FsW2bT
— samone (@BLACKCOTTONCNDY) May 20, 2024
Why did Kelly Price insert herself into this situation? Cassie and the other people that man abused should be offered that support. pic.twitter.com/rhzZRTWkgA
— J. C. (@grimesfam2) May 19, 2024