Diddy takes smoke break with pals as he steps out for the first time since ... trends now

Sean 'Diddy' Combs was pictured smoking a cigarette in his native Miami after  breaking his silence after shocking video of him beating up his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura surfaced this week. 

The 54-year-old rapper was clad in a white fisherman's hat with a white T-shirt and shorts while out on a walk after posting an apology to social media. 

Diddy took to Instagram on Sunday morning to apologize, saying: 'I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses.'

Looking into the camera, Diddy said: 'So difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, sometimes you got to do that. I was f***ed up. 

'I mean I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses, my behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video, I'm disgusted. 

'I was disgusted then when I did it, I am disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help, I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. 

'Had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I'm so sorry. But I am committed to be a better man each and every day. I'm not asking for forgiveness, I'm truly sorry.'

Sources said Diddy went to rehab following the 2016 incident and continues to seek both therapy and spiritual work. 

The shocking surveillance footage of Diddy violently attacking his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 emerged this week. 

The video, obtained by CNN, shows the rapper shirtless with a towel wrapped around his waist, chasing Cassie down the hall at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City.

As she tried to get into an elevator, he grabbed her by the back of the head and slammed her to the ground. 

He then kicked her as she lay on the floor motionless, before grabbing the two designer bags she'd tried to escape with. 

Diddy stood over her, kicked her again, and then dragged her back to their room by the hoodie. 

Cassie claimed in a since-settled lawsuit that Diddy had paid the same hotel $50,000 for the footage after the attack. 

Speaking on Sunday, Cassie's attorney Meredith Firetog, said: 'Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. 

'When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday. 

'That he was only compelled to ‘apologize’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.'

Diddy's followers were not convinced by his apology, flooding the comments under his video with angry messages. 

One said: 'You swore you did nothing wrong. You gaslighted her and all of us, and ONLY now that the video came out, you’re sorry. Bro, go away.'

Another added: 'If you were truly sorry then and now why were you lying all along? Your chance for redemption was a long time ago Diddler. It’s over now.' 

It comes after the LA County District Attorney said they would not be able to prosecute Diddy for the assault as the statute of limitations had passed. 

California's statute of limitations for simple assault is one year, though aggravated assault is three years. Based on the timeline, neither charge could be levied against Diddy.

Two days after the attack, the pair appeared on the red carpet holding hands for the premiere of The Perfect Match.  

In a statement to DailyMail.com this week, Cassie's attorney Douglas Wigdor said: 'The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. 

'Words cannot express the courage

read more from dailymail.....