Tanika Ray, a former backup dancer for Sean "Diddy" Combs shared details of a distressing incident she encountered while working with him in the mid-1990s.
After seeing an interview where journalist Touré talked about his past connection with the music mogul on Joy Reid's MSNBC show, Tanika, 52, decided to share a similar experience.
She recalled a time when she had enough rapport with the record label head to recommend a relative for an internship.
Former Backup Dancer Tanika Ray's Cautionary Tale about Diddy
New allegations against Sean "Diddy" Combs have surfaced, indicating that the hip-hop artist dismissed a male relative after allegedly making inappropriate requests.
These allegations emerged following Homeland Security's searches of Diddy's residences in Miami and Los Angeles, linked to a potential sex trafficking inquiry.
Tanika revealed in the Instagram caption, "I just knew to avoid [Diddy] at all costs... Yes, I danced for him and kept my space. I interviewed him for his projects and kept my space. Nothing that is happening is surprising."
When Touré appeared on Joy Reid's show, he confidently stated about Diddy, "I have a close enough relationship with him to reach out and ask for a favor." "It might have been 10 or 12 years ago that I called him and said, 'Hey, I have a family member, and I want you to hire them as an intern.' And he said, 'Yes.'"
Prompted by a deep connection with Touré's narrative, Tanika felt compelled to reshare a snippet of the video before delving into her personal story on Instagram, reflecting on her experiences while employed by Diddy. She reflected on the significance of personal narratives as the camera zoomed in on her face.
READ ALSO: Sean 'Diddy' Combs 'Adopted White Child' Video Re-emerges Amid Raids, Lawsuits: Where Is She Now?
Tanika emphasized that only she had the authority to share the story involving Diddy before her "besties" would consider doing so. Feeling hesitant, she harbored concerns about stepping into the spotlight, anticipating a cycle of being 'victimized' if she decided to speak out.
She detailed in her post how, over time, she made a conscious effort to maintain a certain level of distance from Diddy despite the professional circumstances frequently placing her close to him.
Encouraging women to prioritize self-care, Tanika emphasized creating space for themselves and dedicating time to focus on their healing.
"Shame on all those men that let this continue," she continued while acknowledging a critique she was likely to receive, "Shame on me maybe for prioritizing my mental health, some would say. But after working in a place that snatches souls... mine is intact and of the light. I saved myself."
"Now if someone needs to pile on my story, give me a call. But I think Cassie got it!!"
READ MORE: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Lawsuit Widens: 50 Cent Tied to Sex Trafficking Allegations?
