Huge A-Listers revealed in explosive P Diddy trial as jury selection begins
P Diddy appeared in court on Monday for his ongoing sex trafficking case, which is expected to last up to 10 weeks. The hearing marked the beginning of jury selection ahead of the trial's official start on May 12.
Several Hollywood celebrities were named on the opening day of P Diddy's trial on Monday, as jury selection commenced. After spending months in New York's notorious MDC prison, the disgraced 54-year-old media mogul appeared in court to face sex trafficking charges - allegations he denies.
During the hearing in Manhattan's federal court in New York, potential jurors were given a list of high-profile celebrities who could be mentioned during the trial.
The jury panel also received a "lengthy questionnaire" about their overall knowledge of the case, with several admitting they had followed it through documentaries, news reports and social media, the Mirror reports.
One celebrity who was mentioned on the list was Michael B Jordan, who, according to Rolling Stone, previously dated Diddy's ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
Cassie, who was in a decade-long relationship with Diddy - real name Sean Combs - is expected to be the prosecution's key witness after she filed a civil lawsuit against the rapper in 2023. Accusing him of rape and human trafficking, allegations which he denied.
Mike Myers, who starred in Austin Powers, was also mentioned during the jury selection, although it is unclear why. However, according to the USA Today there is a scene in one of his Austin Powers films that includes a Diddy joke.
Other famous names mentioned were Kanye West, Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child, actress Lauren London - who was the girlfriend of Nipsey Hussle, fatally shot in 2019 - and rapper Kid Cudi.
During the opening day of the trial, jurors were also asked "if they watched crime shows, where they gathered their news from, if they had an opinion on Hip-Hop, [if they] had ever experienced a traumatic event, and if they 'believe that wealthy people get away with things that the less wealthy do not.'"
Diddy admitted on Monday he was a "little nervous" but according to the Rolling Stone he remained "attentive throughout the selection process, whispering to his counsel on potential jurors he approved or disapproved of."
The jury selection process is due to close in a week, with opening statements scheduled for May 12 - while the proceedings are estimated to last eight to 10 weeks.
If found guilty of five felony charges - including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution - the Bad Boy star could face a prison sentence ranging from 15 years to life.
After turning down an 11th-hour plea deal from prosecutors, Diddy remains confident that the jury being selected will clear him of the serious allegations made against him.
The 12 jurors selected are expected to hear disturbing evidence that could put him away for life, including claims he drugged and abused multiple victims during drug-fuelled sex parties known as "freak-offs."
He faces multiple charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking through force, fraud or coercion and transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution.
Federal prosecutors in New York claim he "abused, threatened and coerced women" into long, drug-fuelled orgies with male prostitutes that have been dubbed as "freak offs" and even threatened them to stay silent.
Diddy denies the claims against him.
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