NEW YORK, USA – Singer and model Cassie Ventura took the stand on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, as the star witness in the federal sex trafficking and abuse trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.
She painted a picture of a decade-long relationship marred by physical violence, psychological torment, and coerced sexual exploitation.
The testimony marked the most explosive day yet in the landmark trial unfolding at Manhattan’s federal court.
Ventura — now 38 and eight months pregnant — recounted in excruciating detail what she described as a cycle of abuse, manipulation, and dehumanisation orchestrated by one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry.
“Too Frequently”: A Pattern of Violence and Control
Asked by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson how often Combs physically assaulted her during their years together, Ventura answered plainly: “Too frequently.”
She described being beaten “to a bloody pulp,” recounting instances where he “would bash me on my head,” leaving her eyes bloodshot and body covered in bruises.
In a haunting moment, jurors were shown security footage—previously aired by CNN—of a 2016 incident at a Los Angeles hotel where Combs appeared to violently attack her in a hallway.
Wearing a calm but visibly shaken expression, Ventura described Combs as “a polarising person—very charming,” but one who used his power, wealth, and emotional manipulation to trap her.
“Make the wrong face,” she said, “and the next thing I knew, I was getting hit in the face.”
The “Freakoff” Sessions
Central to the prosecution’s case is the alleged sex trafficking ring Combs ran using his companies and employees.
Ventura testified that Combs initiated her into a series of disturbing sexual performances, which he called “freakoffs,” beginning when she was around 22.
“It basically entailed the hiring of an escort and setting up this experience so that I could perform for Sean,” she said.
“It just involved Sean being able to watch me with the other person and actually direct us and what we were doing, sexually.”
According to Ventura, the sessions would often last between 36 and 72 hours, with the longest running for four days.
They involved intense physical exertion, drug use, and emotional trauma.
“Plainly, the freakoffs became a job,” she said.
“There was no space to do anything else but to recover and just try to feel normal again.”
Ventura testified that she initially agreed out of love and a sense of obligation, as Combs had signed her to a 10-album deal with Bad Boy Records at 19.
But later, she said she continued out of fear—after he allegedly became violent and threatened to release footage of her with male sex workers as blackmail.
Isolation and Psychological Control
Ventura described an escalating pattern of psychological control and isolation.
She said Combs micromanaged her daily routine, demanded constant communication, and deployed private security to track her down if she didn’t respond quickly enough.
“He became a controlling force in my life,” she said.
“It wasn’t just about sex. It was about control, manipulation, and fear.”
She also alleged that he blocked her from professional opportunities—such as runway shows—and ultimately allowed only nine albums to be produced despite her recording “hundreds” of songs.
Prosecution Builds Its Case
Prosecutors allege that Combs orchestrated a “system of exploitation,” where women were manipulated or forced into commercial sex acts under the guise of relationships, record deals, or luxury lifestyles.
They allege he was aided by employees and bodyguards who helped manage logistics and maintain secrecy.
Jurors on Monday heard from a former Intercontinental Hotel security guard who testified that he witnessed Combs assault Ventura in 2016.
A former male revue manager also testified that he was hired by Combs to sleep with Ventura and stopped participating after seeing her abused.
The prosecution argues that the abuse and coercion were not isolated, but systemic.
Defence: “Not Illegal, Just Unorthodox”
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His lawyer, Teny Geragos, argued in opening statements that the trial is about “love, jealousy, infidelity, and money,” and claimed that the “swingers lifestyle” described by Ventura was consensual and “never meant to be viewed by anyone who didn’t participate.”
“The videos are intimate,” Geragos said, “but not criminal.”
Combs remained expressionless as Ventura testified. He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and could face life in prison if convicted.
A Trial with Far-Reaching Implications
Ventura’s testimony has gripped the nation and triggered a wider reckoning about power, consent, and accountability in the music industry.
Her 2023 civil suit against Combs, which was settled within 24 hours for a reported $30 million, was the catalyst for the current criminal investigation.
Outside the courtroom, women’s rights advocates praised Ventura’s courage.
“This is not just Cassie’s story,” one activist said. “This is a story of how power, silence, and money have been used to shield abusers. That wall is now cracking.”
As the trial continues, the federal government is expected to call additional witnesses, including former employees, law enforcement agents, and other alleged victims.
The defence is expected to mount a vigorous challenge, but the emotional weight of Ventura’s testimony has already left a lasting impact.
“This case is not about lifestyle,” prosecutors argued. “It is about exploitation. It is about abuse. And it is about justice.”
