List of Celebrities Mentioned in Diddy Trial and What Was Said
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The high-profile trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs has referenced over a dozen of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, as testimony continues in the fourth week of proceedings.
Why It Matters
Combs is facing federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
What To Know
While the names of many celebrities have been mentioned during Combs' trial, none are accused of any wrongdoing in connection with the criminal case.
Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the Fragrance Foundation FiFi Awards on May 27, 2009.
Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the Fragrance Foundation FiFi Awards on May 27, 2009.
zz/Raoul Gatchalian/STAR MAX/IPx
Kid Cudi
Rapper Scott Mescudi, who goes by the stage name Kid Cudi, has been mentioned several times during the Combs trial. He also testified during the second week of proceedings.
Mescudi started dating Cassie Ventura in 2011. Ventura dated Combs from 2007 to 2018. Mescudi said that he did not realize that Ventura and Combs were still together when they started dating.
Mescudi alleged that Combs broke into his house in 2011 after he discovered Ventura's relationship with Mescudi.
Mescudi also testified about a 2012 incident where his car caught fire in the driveway of his home. He said he asked to meet with Combs after the incident because he "knew he had something to do with it." The defense objected to the statement, and it was stricken from the record.
Dawn Richard
Dawn Richard, a former member of the girl group Danity Kane, also testified in Combs' trial. The group was formed on the reality show Making the Band. Combs was an executive producer of the show.
Richard said she saw Combs attack Ventura as she was making eggs at Combs' home in Los Angeles.
"He came downstairs screaming, belligerent," Richard said.
She said Combs grabbed the skillet and tried to hit Ventura with it. Combs then grabbed Ventura's hair and dragged her upstairs, Richard testified.
Michael B. Jordan
The defense questioned celebrity stylist Deonte Branch about Ventura's relationships with other men while she was dating Combs, including actor Michael B. Jordan
Nash said Ventura and Jordan were "dating, talking, getting to know each other."
Prince
Combs' former assistant, who used the pseudonym "Mia" during her testimony, stated that she attended a party at singer Prince's house with Ventura around 2011 or 2012.
Mia said she convinced Ventura to go to the party even though Combs told them to stay home. She said they danced, hung out with friends, and Prince performed on a table.
Mia saw Combs, who previously used the stage name "Puff," walking into the party. She and Ventura "booked it" outside the house.
"Puff caught up to Cass and had her on the ground," Mia testified. Prince's security intervened.
Rihanna
Ventura's makeup artist, Mylah Morales, testified that she also worked for Rihanna for 13 years.
During cross-examination, the defense showed Morales photos where she had done Ventura's makeup. This included a photo of Ventura, Rihanna and Ryan Lewis attending an awards show.
Usher
Richard said she saw Combs punch Ventura in the stomach at a restaurant in 2010 while other celebrities were present, including Usher.
"She immediately bent over, [Combs] told her to leave," Richard said. "No one intervened."
Ne-Yo
Richard testified that singer Ne-Yo was also present when Combs punched Ventura at a restaurant in 2010.
Nicki Minaj
Ventura testified that she was given access to contacts in the music industry during her relationship with Combs. She said she recorded a song with Nicki Minaj.
Lil Wayne
Ventura said she also recorded a song with Lil Wayne while she was in a relationship with Combs.
R. Kelly
In a January 2019 message shown in court, Mia told Combs she had a nightmare where he rescued her after she was trapped in an elevator with singer and convicted sex offender R. Kelly.
Chris Brown
The defense questioned Ventura about an alleged encounter with singer Chris Brown during her testimony.
"Do you remember the incident where he suspected you of dancing with Chris Brown?" defense attorney Anna Estevao asked Ventura.
Ventura said she did not remember the incident, but she "was not dancing" with Brown.
Mike Myers
Prior to working for Combs, Mia worked as a personal assistant for comedian Mike Myers.
Madonna
Mia testified that she worked for Madonna for eight months after her employment with Combs ended.
"I was hired to lead her film industry. It morphed into multiple roles," Mia said.
Mick Jagger
The defense questioned Mia about her time spent with various famous individuals during her employment with Combs. In messages to Combs shown in court, Mia described some of these encounters.
One instance she recalled was spending a night in Paris with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
Jennifer Lopez
In messages shown in court, Mia mentioned how Jennifer Lopez would not stay out with her and Combs.
Morales also worked as a makeup artist for Lopez.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Mia said she once witnessed Combs playing poker with actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
In a message, Mia wrote that Combs said the actor "does not know" anything about the game. Combs told her that he won $650,000, while DiCaprio won $10,000.
Chadwick Boseman
Mia messaged Combs in 2020 following the death of Chadwick Boseman.
"Thinking of you with Chadwick Boseman," she wrote.
Mia said Combs had been auditioning for the role of James Brown in the Get On Up biopic, which Boseman ultimately landed.
Britney Spears
Ventura said Britney Spears was among the celebrities in attendance at her 21st birthday party. She said the high-profile guests were there because of Combs.
"That was all him. I didn't know them," Ventura said.
50 Cent
Capricorn Clark, Combs' former assistant, testified about an instance where she accompanied Combs to do press at MTV. She said 50 Cent was there that day and Combs "had an issue with 50 Cent."
Suge Knight
Ventura testified that she told Combs not to do "anything stupid" when he went to confront Marion Hugh "Suge" Knight Jr.
She said Damion "D-Roc" Butler informed Combs that Knight was at a local diner. Combs "quickly packed up and drove down there," Ventura said.
Ventura said Combs and a bodyguard put on black clothing and armed themselves.
When he got back, she said Combs would not tell her what happened or if he met Knight at the diner.
What People Are Saying
Cassie Ventura, during her testimony about Sean Combs' planned confrontation of Suge Knight: "I was crying. I was screaming 'Please don't do anything stupid.' I was just really nervous for them, what it meant, what they were going to do."
Scott Mescudi, during his testimony about why he broke up with Cassie Ventura: "The drama was just getting out of hand."
What Happens Next
The trial, currently in its fourth week, is expected to last eight to 10 weeks. Combs is facing life in prison if convicted.
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