Kanye West’s name surfaced during a dramatic jury selection process in the federal s*x trafficking and racketeering trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
According to Mail Online, a potential juror mentioned recognizing West’s name from a list of individuals who might be referenced during the trial. The juror, a scientist in his 40s, clarified that his knowledge of West would not affect his impartiality.
West was one of several celebrities named during the initial proceedings in Manhattan federal court on Monday. Jury selection began as part of the federal case against Combs, who faces serious allegations involving s*x trafficking and organized criminal conduct.
Recently, West defended Combs publicly, sharing controversial social media posts and stating that the two had collaborated on a clothing line earlier this year.
Other celebrities listed for potential relevance to the trial included comedian Mike Myers and actor Michael B. Jordan, although their connections to the case remain unclear. A female juror also identified names such as Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, actress Lauren London, and rapper Kid Cudi.
Judge Arun Subramanian described the list of names and places as “several pages long,” likening it to “an appendix from Lord of the Rings.” To expedite the process, he ruled that jurors would review the list in advance, then be questioned individually in court until a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates is selected.
Judge Subramanian gave an overview of the charges to the jury pool, emphasizing that Combs has pleaded not guilty and remains presumed innocent. Combs appeared in court wearing a sweater over a white shirt and gray slacks — clothing allowed in lieu of jail attire. He has been held in a federal detention center in Brooklyn since his arrest in September, and his hair and goatee were visibly graying due to jail regulations prohibiting hair dye.
Some potential jurors admitted to seeing media coverage about a key piece of evidence: a 2016 hotel surveillance video showing Combs allegedly assaulting singer Cassie. One juror, who described a still image from the footage as “damning,” was dismissed.
After another juror was excused, Combs requested a bathroom break, telling the judge, “I’m sorry, your honor. I’m a little nervous today.”
The 17-page indictment outlines a two-decade pattern of alleged abuse involving Combs, including violence, coercion, and exploitation. Prosecutors describe a network in which women were allegedly manipulated into drug-fueled s*x acts — referred to as “Freak Offs” — sometimes involving male s*x workers. The indictment accuses Combs and his associates of maintaining control through promises of career advancement or threats of violence, including beatings, kidnappings, and even dangling someone from a balcony.
Combs’ legal team has denied all allegations, insisting any group s*x was consensual and that there was no criminal enterprise.
The trial is expected to last at least eight weeks. If convicted, Combs could face several decades in prison.
