Aubrey O’Day warned young artists to “protect” themselves when working with people “in a position of power” after her former mentor Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced to four years in prison.
“Let this serve as a cautionary reminder to young and aspiring individuals pursuing their dreams. The true warning is not that a jury may doubt your testimony, nor that a court’s sentencing guidelines may fail to reflect the years of suffering you endured,” she wrote on X Friday.
“The real warning is this: the moment someone in a position of power oversteps your boundaries or demands more than is legitimately required of you, walk away and do not look back.”
“No dream, however bright, can outweigh the pain and exploitation that may follow if you remain,” she continued.
The former Danity Kane member, 41, went on to caution her followers against “those who misuse their power,” noting that they “face far fewer consequences than the harm inflicted upon their victims.”
“Protect yourself at the first sign of coercion or impropriety,” she added.
“If something feels wrong, trust that instinct and remove yourself from the situation. Your well-being is worth more than any opportunity.”
A federal judge sentenced Combs, 55, to four years in prison on Friday after he was found guilty on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution in July. The “Act Bad” rapper was also ordered to pay the court a fine of $500,000, as well as participate in programs for his mental health and substance abuse issues.
However, since Combs has already served a year behind bars, the sentencing means he could be a free man once again in the next three years.
The Bad Boy Records founder was also charged with sex trafficking and racketeering during his highly publicized federal trial, but was acquitted of those charges.
O’Day, who previously accused Combs of grooming her when she starred on his MTV show, “Making the Band,” also spoke out in response to the “dangerous” verdict.
“I’m still unpacking the magnitude of it all. The cultural weight of this decision is immeasurable,” the “Damaged” singer wrote on her Instagram Stories at the time.
“It is heartbreaking to witness how many lives have been impacted by their experiences with Sean Combs — only for those stories to fall short in the eyes of a jury,” she added.
“I can only hope these jurors never have to watch someone they love endure what so many survivors have described.”