'Diddy' Trial: Cassie Ventura's testimony reveals the complexities of her relationship with the rapper
Cassie Ventura shares her experience with Sean Combs amid sex trafficking charges.
Image: Bang Showbiz
Cassie Ventura felt "confused and nervous" when Sean "Diddy" Combs asked her to be involved in one of his so-called freak-offs.
The 38-year-old singer dated the record producer between 2007 and 2018, and she's admitted to being caught off-guard when Combs asked her to be part of a sex party.
Asked how she felt about being asked by Combs to participate in the party, Ventura told a court in Manhattan on Tuesday, May 13: "I just remember my stomach falling to my butt."
The singer admitted that she "loved [Combs] so much" and that she felt unable to refuse his requests. Ventura explained that she "didn't know what 'no' could be, or what 'no' could turn into", alleging that Combs would often become violent if she disobeyed him.
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Ventura acknowledged that Combs controlled "everything" in her life.
The music star - who is now married to personal trainer Alex Fine and is eight months pregnant with their child - added: "Sean is a really polarising person; he was charming. It's hard to really be able to determine what you need when he's telling you what he wants. I just didn't know. I didn't know what would happen."
Ventura - who signed to Combs' Bad Boy record label when she was teenager - feared that the videos from the parties would eventually end up on the internet.
In 2024, Combs pleaded not guilty to five counts of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering.
Asked during a court hearing how he pleaded to the charges, the rap star replied: "Not guilty."
Marc Agnifilo - Combs' lawyer - subsequently insisted that the music star was determined to "establish his innocence".
Agnifilo told reporters outside the court: "He's going to fight this. He's innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence.
"We believe in him wholeheartedly. He didn't do these things. There's no coercion and no crime."
Combs, 55, is "not afraid of the charges" he's facing, according to his lawyer.
Agnifilo added: "He's been looking forward to this day, and he's been looking forward to clearing his name."
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