Van Lathan, the well-known host and media personality, took to Twitter to clarify his decisions and relationships regarding past interview offers and allegations. He opened up about two significant incidents, explaining the rationale behind his choices and offering an apology for any misunderstandings after Raqi Thunda excused him of knowing about Diddy’s abuse.
The Red Pill Podcast and Declined Interview with Gina Huynh
Around 2018-2019, while hosting “The Red Pill” podcast, Lathan was approached by Raqi to interview Gina Huynh, a longtime acquaintance of Diddy. Gina had previously accused Diddy of abuse on Tasha K’s platform. Lathan declined the interview, citing the nature of his podcast and its partnership with TMZ, which couldn’t entertain unverified allegations due to the risk of lawsuits. Lathan revealed he had informed Raqi about his professional relationship with Diddy to avoid any future misunderstandings.
No Connection to Cassie Allegations
Lathan clarified that his decision had no relation to Cassie’s allegations against Diddy, which he only became aware of through her lawsuit and a recent disturbing video. He emphasized that in his nine years at TMZ, the only abuse allegation he’d heard against Diddy was from the Tasha K interview.
Apology to Raqi and Second Interview Offer
Lathan apologized if Raqi felt ignored or dismissed. He explained that declining interviews and tell-alls was routine for him at TMZ. He also recounted a second interview offer from Raqi, this time involving Cyn Santana, who had just split from Joe Budden. Although Raqi wanted to focus on Cyn’s music, Lathan felt it necessary to address the breakup and informed Joe out of professional courtesy. This call didn’t go well, and Lathan decided against the interview due to potential drama and clickbait implications.
Addressing Misunderstandings
Lathan expressed regret for any unintended consequences of his actions, particularly Raqi’s belief that he had alerted Joe to Cyn’s location. He reiterated he was unaware of any abuse allegations or the nature of Cyn and Joe’s split. His intention was to maintain professional courtesy unless advised of any danger.
Despite the recent controversy, Lathan expressed respect for Raqi, acknowledging the industry’s harsh treatment of women, especially Black women. He felt her tweet was unfair but used it as an opportunity for self-reflection, ensuring he hadn’t supported or covered up any wrongdoing.
