Testimony in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial takes a heart-wrenching turn as Cassie breaks down in tears, recounting feelings of personal embarrassment and detailing claims of rape.
Rewritten Article:
Cassie Ventura choked back tears in the courtroom as she recounted her involvement in "wild" sexual encounters with Sean Combs, now known as Diddy, and accused him of sexual assault as their relationship came to an end. The trial, now in its third day, has been filled with graphic details and shocking allegations.
Testifying for the second day, the singer and model recounted several instances of alleged violence and blackmail by the music mogul. The proceedings grew tense as sexually explicit images from the "wild" sessions were displayed for the jury, though kept private from the public gallery. Combs was provided a binder of these images, which he thumbed through before returning it.
Combs, once a powerful figure in the music industry, has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors allege that he used his fame and fortune to coerce Ventura and other women into abusive sexual encounters with escorts. His attorneys, however, argue that while Combs may have been violent at times, all sexual encounters were consensual and no sex trafficking or racketeering occurred [2].
Ventura, visibly pregnant with her third child, remained composed for most of her testimony but broke down at the end when asked why she chose to speak up. "I can't carry this burden anymore," she said, "I can't carry the shame, the guilt, the way he treated people like they were disposable. What's right is right, what's wrong is wrong. I came here to do what's right."
Early in 2023, Ventura began experiencing flashbacks and suicidal thoughts, prompting her to seek rehabilitation and trauma therapy. She could not provide an exact number of the "wild" sessions she participated in, but estimated it to be in the hundreds. When asked if she had been involved in any since ending the relationship in 2018, she replied, "No."
Ventura accused Combs of raping her at her home in Los Angeles, after she told him their relationship was over. "I just remember crying and saying no, but it happened so fast," she said, her voice trailing off. She did report having consensual sex with the rapper on a subsequent occasion. "We'd been together for over a decade. You don't just turn feelings off," she said.
Ventura sued Combs in November 2023 and settled within 24 hours, receiving £20 million according to the trial [3].
The trial also brought to light details of Ventura's brief relationship with Scott Mescudi, better known as singer and rapper Kid Cudi, during a low point in her relationship with Combs in 2011. Combs, upset by this revelation, allegedly lunged at Ventura with a corkscrew and kicked her in the back. He also reportedly threatened to blow up Mescudi's car [2].
During her hours on the stand, Ventura described how she hid the extent of Combs' alleged violence from loved ones and detailed an incident where she sustained a "pretty significant gash" above her left eye after being thrown into a bed frame by Combs. His security staff took her to a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills instead of a hospital [1].
An incident at a hotel in Los Angeles in March 2016, which has been previously discussed, was again brought up. CCTV footage from the hotel showed Combs allegedly beating Ventura in a hallway. Jurors were shown images of her with a swollen lip following the incident as she testified. Ventura also spoke about a trip to Cannes in 2013, during which Combs played a recording of a "wild" session on his laptop on a commercial flight to New York, with other people around. He threatened to publicly embarrass her by releasing these recordings [1].
The Current Situation:As the trial continues, Ventura's credibility is being tested through cross-examination by the defense. The case has highlighted allegations of coercive and abusive behavior, with a particular focus on claims of sex trafficking and racketeering, in addition to allegations of physical and emotional abuse [2]. The jury's verdict is eagerly awaited, and the outcome could have significant implications for Combs' future.
Sources:[1] Associated Press. (2025, May 16). Diddy Trial: Cassie Ventura Testifies to 'Violent' Relationship with Sean Combs. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/diddy-trial-cassie-ventura-testifies-violent-relationship-sean-combs-rcna69117
[2] Smith, C. (2025, May 16). Diddy's Legal Team Tries to Discredit Cassie Ventura in Sexual Assault-Related Trial. The Root. https://www.theroot.com/diddys-legal-team-tries-to-discredit-cassie-ventura-in-su-1846700151
[3] Brennan, C. (2025, May 17). Diddy Trial: What we know so far. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61004366
- The trial, focused on allegations against Sean Combs (Diddy) of sexual assault, coercive behaviors, and racketeering, has also brought attention to the entertainment industry's celebrities who have been involved in crime-and-justice matters, specifically the relationship between Cassie Ventura and Combs.
- Amidst the graphic and shocking allegations in the courtroom, the general-news media has widely reported Ventura's claims, highlighting the potential impact of power and fame on abusive relationships and the exploitation of women in the entertainment industry.
