R&B singer Cassie Ventura testified in federal court on Wednesday, May 14, accusing music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs of r*ping her after she tried to end their decade-long relationship.
She also claimed he trapped her in a cycle of physical and s*xual abuse by threatening to release explicit videos of her.
On the second day of Combs’ s*x trafficking trial in Manhattan, Cassie told the court that Combs forced his way into her Los Angeles apartment and raped her on the living room floor after she said she was leaving him.
She further described how Combs allegedly coerced her into taking part in “hundreds” of s*xual encounters with male s*x workers — encounters he recorded and watched, sometimes for days.
Cassie said she feared the release of these videos would destroy her career and reputation. “I feared for my career. I feared for my family. It’s just embarrassing. It’s horrible and disgusting. No one should do that to anyone,” she said.
Prosecutors showed the jury five still images from the videos, which Combs allegedly called “freak-offs.” One juror visibly recoiled upon seeing the images.
Cassie, who filed a lawsuit in 2023 alleging years of abuse, revealed in court that she settled the case for $20 million. Following her suit, dozens of other women have come forward with similar accusations.
Federal prosecutors allege Combs used his power in the music industry to manipulate and abuse women. He faces charges including s*x trafficking by force, fraud, coercion, and racketeering. More alleged victims are expected to testify as the trial continues.
Combs, 55, denies the allegations. His lawyers acknowledge he could be “volatile,” but insist all s*xual activity was consensual and not criminal. He has been jailed since September and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. The trial is expected to last about two months.
Cassie’s testimony reveals the hidden trauma behind a highly publicized relationship. She said she met Combs in 2005, at age 19, when he signed her to a 10-year deal with Bad Boy Records. They began dating a few years later.
Jurors also viewed security footage of Combs assaulting Cassie at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016, just two days before they appeared smiling together at a movie premiere. Combs apologized after the footage surfaced in 2024.
Cassie testified she wore makeup and sunglasses at the premiere to hide her injuries and even hid in a popcorn closet to change dresses without showing bruises on her legs.
She also described a 2013 incident where Combs attacked her while she was preparing for a music festival, throwing her into a bed frame and causing a cut above her eye. Combs’ security arranged for a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon to stitch the wound.
Afterward, she sent him a photo of her injured face with the message: “So you can remember.” He replied: “You don’t know when to stop. You pushed it too far. And continued to push. Sad.”
Now 38, Cassie remained composed on the stand, continuing to expose what prosecutors describe as a prolonged pattern of coercion and abuse by one of the music industry’s most powerful figures.
