Latest news with #&B
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial recap: 'Mia,' Combs's former assistant, is pressed by defense on sexual assault allegations
The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs continued Monday in Manhattan federal court, with 'Mia' — a pseudonym for a former assistant who accused Combs of repeated sexual assault — concluding her testimony in the sex trafficking case. Under direct examination last week, 'Mia' described a harrowing and 'toxic' work environment dominated by Combs's 'unpredictable and terrifying' behavior, telling the court that he physically and sexually assaulted her multiple times. During cross-examination on Monday, the defense pressed her on the abuse allegations. Sylvia Oken, a sales director at the Beverly Hills Hotel, also testified about damage to Combs's rooms during his hotel stays. Federal prosecutors say that for decades, Combs abused, threatened and coerced women to participate in marathon sexual encounters called "freak offs" and used his business empire, along with guns, kidnapping and arson, to conceal his crimes. The 55-year-old hip-hop mogul is facing five criminal counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Here are some key takeaways from Monday's testimony culled from various reporters and news organizations in the courtroom, including CNN, NBC News and the Washington Post. Under cross-examination by the defense, 'Mia' was asked to read text messages she sent to Combs after being let go from her job as his assistant. In one, she wished Combs a merry Christmas, adding "I love you so so much!" In another, she told Combs she had a nightmare in which she was trapped in an elevator with R. Kelly, the R&B singer and convicted sex offender. 'I screamed for you,' she wrote to Combs, 'And you came to rescue me.' Defense attorney Brian Steel asked "Mia" why she would send messages like these to someone she alleges sexually assaulted her multiple times. She testified that she felt bad for Combs after the death of Kim Porter, the mother of three of his children, who died in November 2018 from pneumonia. "Mia" also told the court that while Combs was her tormentor, for years he was also her "protector" and that while she was no longer working for him, she still felt 'psychologically' under his control. Big picture: The defense picked up where it left off Friday, presenting dozens of messages in which 'Mia' sounds loving and affectionate toward Combs during and after the alleged abuse. Under direct examination last week, 'Mia' described a harrowing and 'toxic' work environment dominated by Combs's 'unpredictable and terrifying' behavior, telling the court that he physically and sexually assaulted her multiple times. During cross-examination on Monday, the former assistant acknowledged that she never documented or told anyone about Combs's violent outbursts, or the physical and sexual abuse she said he inflicted on her. 'Mia' said she felt that doing so would have violated their trust and her 'loyalty' to Combs. She was pressed by defense attorney Steel about why she did not immediately come forward with her physical and sexual assault allegations against Combs. 'Because I was terrified and brainwashed,' she said. Later, under redirect questioning from prosecutors, 'Mia' said she worried that if she told human resources about the alleged sexual assaults, she would have lost her job. 'They wouldn't have believed me and I would've been fired immediately,' she said. The defense continued to press "Mia" on her reluctance to come forward with sexual abuse claims against Combs. In November 2023, after Combs's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed her explosive lawsuit against Combs alleging years of abuse, "Mia" testified that she had spoken with Ventura, but still did not disclose her own allegations. "I was still deeply shamed and wanted to die with this," she said. "Mia" told the court on Monday that she did not make her allegations of sexual assault known to prosecutors until June 2024, leading to pointed questions from Combs's defense team. 'That is seven months after Ms. Ventura's lawsuit went viral,' defense attorney Steel said during his cross-examination. 'Why did it take seven or eight months for you to tell the U.S. attorney's office that Mr. Combs supposedly sexually assaulted you?' Mia said that she did not disclose the alleged abuse until she retained a lawyer. Under cross-examination, "Mia" testified that after being let go from her job with Combs in 2017, she went on to work for Madonna as an assistant. Her employment with the "Material Girl" singer lasted eight months. And "Mia" said that she secured the job independently of Combs. Big picture: During direct examination last week, "Mia" testified that the abuse she endured while working for Combs left her with PTSD, which made it difficult to keep a job. 'I would have to leave because I would be triggered by really normal situations," she told the court. "Mia" also testified that Combs would make it impossible for her to land a job somewhere else in the entertainment industry. The defense sought to undercut that testimony by showing the jury her post-Combs employment with Madonna.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bold and the Beautiful Must Watch Moments May 26-30: Hope's Answer & Sheila's Advice
The Bold and the Beautiful must-watch moments for the week of May 26 – 30 promise a week full of drama with Hope giving Carter an answer while Ridge wonders why Steffy is so supportive of Hope and Carter. Plus, Sheila finds herself breaking up a big fight after she gives Luna some sound advice. You won't want to miss a single bit of the action, so be sure to tune in every weekday to CBS or Paramount+ to see every bit of it! MORE: Find out what's happening on B&B. Monday, May 26, 2025 Episode 9532 Buckle up—Deuce is Daphne's ride to the makes a grand gesture to makes a request of Liam. Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Episode 9533 When Steffy champions Hope's happiness, Ridge and Brooke wonder gives Carter an answer to his question!Finn and Liam share a rare, heartfelt moment. Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Episode 9534 Sheila advises against it, but Luna sends a lustful text to Will fly and tempers flare when Luna confronts Electra—but Electra's not backing down without a fight. Thursday, May 29, 2025 Episode 9535 Will confides in Katie, who offers him solid breaks up the fight between Electra and is hesitant when Brooke suggests that they throw Hope a party. Friday, May 30, 2025 Episode 9536 Sheila wants Luna to leave and not make the same mistakes she offers Sheila a proposition.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bold and the Beautiful Must Watch Moments May 30: Luna's Proposition For Sheila
The Bold and the Beautiful must-watch moments for Friday, May 30, include Luna's proposition for Sheila after Sheila begs her to leave and learn from Sheila's own mistakes. It promises to be a day filled to the brim with drama, and you won't want to miss a second of the show. Tune in to CBS or Paramount+ to watch. Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) knows something about mistakes. She's made quite a few both in Los Angeles and in Genoa City. She's killed people, she's kidnapped people, and so much more. And yet, Sheila is free and in love with Deacon (Sean Kanan). Supposedly, she's mostly on the straight and narrow these days. She loves that Luna (Lisa Yamada) is her granddaughter. The two have some important details that are the same, but Sheila has tried to help steer her wayward granddaughter right. She's given Luna some good advice, which of course, Luna failed to follow. Luna sent lustful texts to Will (Crew Morrow), and Electra (Laneya Grace) didn't like that at all. Electra and Luna even got into a fight, which Sheila had to break up. MORE: Here's what you must watch this week on B&B. Friday, May 30, 2025 Episode 9536 Sheila wants Luna to leave and not make the same mistakes she offers Sheila a proposition.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
R&B is alive and well: Sasha Keable and GoldLink join festival line-up in South Africa
Once Upon a Time in Joburg is a locally owned live music mini-concert festival, showcasing a strong focus on R&B and Neo-Soul. Once Upon A Time Joburg announced Sasha Keable and GoldLink as this year's hadliners. Pictures: sashakeable/Instagram, Joseph Okpako/ Getty Images The notion that Rhythm and Blues (R&B) is dying stems from the fact that the genre is no longer as prominent as it was in the 1990s. However, organisers of the music concert Once Upon A Time Joburg say the genre is alive and well, as they announced UK singer Sasha Keable and US rap singer GoldLink to their lineup for this year's edition. 'We've heard that narrative — that R&B is dying — but it doesn't reflect what we're seeing on the ground,' Once Upon A Time Joburg founder Onye Iheukwumere, tells The Citizen. Once Upon a Time in Joburg is a locally owned live music mini-concert festival, organised by Dr Bird Productions. The concert has a strong focus on R&B and Neo-Soul. Last year's edition had singer Marcus Harvey, Simmy, Fif_Laaa, and the US's Xavier Omar as its headliners. That edition had more than 2,000 people in attendance. 'The energy in the room reminded us why we started this in the first place. It showed us there's a real appetite for this kind of event — something soulful, curated, and intentional,' Iheukwumere says. 'We love R&B. And while it might not dominate the charts the way it used to, it hasn't lost its power when it comes to live experiences.' This year's edition of 21st of Once Upon a Time in Joburg will take place on June 21 at the James & Ethel Gray Park in Joburg. ALSO READ: Langa Mavuso on holding the fort for R&B and being awarded for it Black women keeping R&B alive Iheukwumere says black women, who are large consumers of the genre, have kept R&B alive. 'Especially in South Africa, where Black women, across all age groups, are still showing up for this music. They're the ones driving concert attendance, and they're the ones we're building this for,' said the event organiser. He adds that there may be a dip in sales for R&B artists, but there's still a deep love for the genre. 'People love songs—songs with emotion, with storytelling-and R&B still delivers that.' As much as Once Upon a Time in Joburg champions R&B, Iheukwumere says that they don't see themselves strictly as an R&B festival. 'At our core, we're a concert experience that celebrates great singing and songwriting. That opens the door for us to include artists who may not be traditional R&B but who make moving, well-crafted music.' US singer and rapper GoldLink fits this description, as his music features melodies and harmonies characteristic of R&B, but also boasts raps that carry enough grit to stand alongside those of other rappers. 'GoldLink felt like the right move for where we're at. He has an enduring fan base here — people who discovered him early and have stayed with him over the years,' shares Iheukwumere. In 2019, GoldLink performed in Joburg at AFROPUNK. The year before, he was scheduled to perform at the Rocking the Daisies festival but was unable to travel to Mzansi due to unforeseen personal health reasons. 'His catalogue has depth, and it connects across R&B, hip-hop, and alternative spaces. There's a lot of nostalgia attached to his music, especially for those who were on that journey with him from the start. He fits the vibe of what we're building perfectly.' GoldLink recently announced that he will release an album on Friday. ALSO READ: Hey Neighbour Festival waves goodbye to Friday, trims down to two days Sasha Keable Despite GoldLink being the most prominent artist on this year's line-up, Iheukwumere says the UK's Sasha Keable is this year's headline act. This is because Once Upon A Time Joburg sees itself as a platform to introduce unfamiliar talent to the local market. 'To shine a light on artists who may not have had their moment here yet,' says Iheukwumere. Speaking about Keable, the organisers describe her as 'soulful, powerful, and has a voice that cuts through. We're really excited to be introducing her to a broader audience in South Africa.' Ever since her formative teenage years, the 31-year-old musician has consistently used music as a means of working through heartbreak and trauma, as well as celebrating joy and love. Growing up, Keable's Colombian mother played Latin music at home, while visits to her dad's included everything from Aerosmith to Seal. As a teenager, she was immersed in South London's vibrant R&B and rap scene. 'I've always loved storytellers and artists that aren't afraid to bare their soul,' she said, citing Donny Hathaway, Amy Winehouse and Stevie Wonder as some of the artists that shaped her early songwriting. NOW READ: American Music Awards box Tyla as she wins Afrobeats Artist of the Year despite call for diversity
The Star
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Cassie Ventura in labour just weeks after Diddy trial testimony
Cassie Ventura (pic) and her husband Alex Fine first announced they were expanding their family again in an Instagram post in February. Photo: AP Cassie Ventura is about to welcome her third baby and she is reportedly at the hospital and may be in labour. The 38-year-old arrived at the labour and delivery unit of a New York City hospital on Tuesday, according to TMZ. Just two weeks ago, the R&B singer was the star witness in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex trafficking trial, testifying against her ex for four consecutive days. At eight months pregnant, the R&B singer showed up to court with a visible baby bump, and took the stand to detail her relationship with the disgraced music mogul. Ventura and her husband Alex Fine first announced they were expanding their family again in an Instagram post in February. The couple started dating after her decades-long relationship with Combs that ended in 2018. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
