Latest news with #Astroglide
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Male Escort Named 'The Punisher' Apologizes To Cassie For His Role In Diddy's Alleged 'Freak Offs'
A week after a male escort known as "The Punisher" testified that Diddy allegedly paid him $2,000 to participate in an oiled "freak off" with Cassie Ventura, the performer has issued an apology. The Punisher's statement comes during the third week of testimony in Diddy's federal trial, in which various witnesses have shared their alleged experiences with the rap mogul, who faces up to life in prison after being charged with racketeering and sex trafficking. While appearing on CNN, Sharay Hayes, also known as The Punisher, shared an emotional statement with the news outlet and directly apologized to Cassie, who previously dated Diddy from 2008 to 2018 and alleged she was pressured to participate in elaborate orgies with other men called "freak offs." "I would apologize because I had no idea, no indication [of] what she was going through," he said. "Obviously, my involvement kind of furthered her suffering. Me, knowing that as a man, being raised by a single mom and a grandma, just the thought of partaking in a scenario where a woman is possibly being abused is tough to hear. I would just apologize to her and tell her that I was really remorseful and regret if I contributed to a bad experience for her." Hayes took the stand the week of May 19, 2025, and told the court that he was paid $2,000 to participate in an oiled "freak off" involving Cassie. During his testimony, Hayes alleged that he was directed to meet Cassie at a room in Trump Tower in New York City in 2012 to create a "sexy scene" for Diddy. "I was specifically told to not acknowledge her husband," Hayes told the court. Later, Hayes testified that a man, presumed to be Diddy, entered wearing a covering that "Muslim women wear" and began to masturb-te with Astroglide lubricant before exiting the room. Hayes further alleged he was hired to participate in "freak offs" with Cassie and Diddy at least eight to 12 times. When Cassie took the stand the week of May 12, 2025, the "Me & U" singer recalled the first time Diddy allegedly told her he was interested in watching her have sexual intercourse with another man. "I was 22 at the time, my stomach churned, didn't have a concept of how that would be a turn on, but I accepted the responsibility," Cassie testified. "I was confused, nervous, but also loved him very much and wanted to make him happy." Later, the 38-year-old explained that planning and participating in the alleged orgies became all-consuming, leaving no room for anything else. She also shared that the alleged sexual encounters would sometimes last for hours, stating that the "longest one was four days." Following the conclusion of Cassie's testimony inside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse, her husband, Alex Fine, released a message of support for her through her lawyer. "Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife, freeing herself of her past," Fine said. He also addressed speculation that hearing his wife's testimony might have altered his feelings for her. "There has been speculation online surrounding how it must feel for me to sit there and listen to my wife's testimony. I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass," he said. "I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her. So, to him and all of those who helped him along the way, please know this: You did not. You did not break her spirit nor her smile that lights up every room." He continued: "You did not break the soul of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls. You did not break the woman who has made me a better man." In her own statement, Cassie also addressed the public after her emotional testimony, admitting it was "extremely challenging." However, the singer described her time on the stand as "remarkably empowering and healing for me." "I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors, and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from abuse and fear. For me, the more I heal, the more I can remember. And the more I can remember, the more I will never forget," she finished.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Doing This One Fun Thing Before Bed Will Help You Sleep A Lot Better, Per Study
A new pilot study suggests having sex before bed could help you sleep better. This isn't the first study to link sex before bed to better sleep. Sex creates a surge of oxytocin, which is a natural sedative, and provides stress relief, all of which might explain boosted sleep performance. Finding the perfect recipe for a good night's sleep can feel pretty complicated. Experts have recommended everything from keeping your bedroom cool at night, to sticking with consistent sleep and wake times, to avoiding screens for hours before bed. But you can now add a much simpler sleep-enhancing hack to the list: Have sex. That's the major takeaway from a new study published in the journal Sleep Health. This is a pilot study, so the findings are preliminary, but they raise a lot of questions about how sexual activity may help us sleep better and whether you should consider this move for yourself. Here's what the study found, plus what doctors want you to keep in mind. Meet the experts: W. Christopher Winter, MD, a neurologist and sleep medicine physician with Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and host of the Sleep Unplugged podcast; Jessica O'Reilly, PhD, relationship expert and Astroglide's sexologist; Jennifer Wider, MD. For the study, researchers recruited seven heterosexual couples who were healthy, sexually active, and living together in Australia. The participants, who were in their mid-20s, all reported that they had sex at least twice a week. The researchers monitored the participants over 11 nights, and asked them to do three different things: Have no sexual activity, engage in solo sex that ended in an orgasm, and have partnered sex that ended in an orgasm. To measure their sleep, the participants wore a wireless headband to track their brain activity, movement, and breathing overnight. They also filled out diaries every morning to track their sexual activity, sleep quality, mood, and feelings of readiness for the day ahead. The researchers discovered all kinds of interesting things. On nights when the participants had sex, they went to bed later than on nights with no sex. But they also spent about seven minutes less being awake during the night after they conked out, and spent a larger amount of their time in bed actually sleeping (basically, they had good sleep efficiency). In general, sleep efficiency was 93.2 percent after masturbation and 93.4 percent after partnered sex, while it was 91.5 percent on nights when people didn't have sex. Worth noting: The participants didn't notice any big differences in how well they thought they slept—this is just what the sleep tracking data found. That said, the participants reported feeling more motivated and ready for their day the morning after having partnered sex than when they abstained. It's important to point out that this isn't the first study to link sex before bed to better sleep. A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research had people keep a diary for 14 days and found that those who had partnered sex that ended in orgasm fell asleep faster and reported having better sleep quality than those who didn't have sex before bed. But the latest study actually showed that there were improvements in sleep quality. There are probably a few things going on to result in this positive sleep effect, according to W. Christopher Winter, MD, a neurologist and sleep medicine physician with Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine and host of the Sleep Unplugged podcast. 'The first is probably related to the chemical changes brought about by orgasm,' he says. 'The hormone oxytocin—which is released after you have an orgasm—acts as a natural sedative,' he says. In addition to oxytocin, the hormone prolactin is released after orgasm, leading to a relaxed feeling, says women's health expert Jennifer Wider, MD. All of those factors combined 'can definitely enhance sleepiness,' she says. From a more holistic view, sex is usually a stress-relieving activity, so it may be that people felt more ready to fall asleep afterward, Dr. Winter says. And it may also just quiet down your mind, says Jessica O'Reilly, PhD, relationship expert and Astroglide's sexologist. 'Post-orgasm, decreased activity in brain regions like the amygdala and cingulate cortex reduces arousal and emotional stimulation,' she says. That can also make it easier to fall asleep, she points out. A lot, actually. 'During arousal and orgasm, you may experience elevated levels of dopamine, oxytocin and endorphins, which can elevate mood, reduce stress and assuage anxiety,' O'Reilly says. 'Natural opioids released during sex can also make you more resilient to pain, like headaches and cramps.' Ultimately, if you have the option to have sex or not and you want to ensure you'll get a good night's sleep, it may be best to get down with a partner before bed. 'Sex in general contributes to positive emotional feelings and contentment, which is where you want to be in the moment before sleep,' Dr. Winter says. 'Feeling that sense of being connected is a great way to head to sleep.' You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Black America Web
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Ex-Assistant Testifies To Diddy's ‘Freak-Off' Rituals In Hotel Room Setup
Source: @diddy / Instagram Former executive assistant George Kaplan revealed unsettling details about his time working for Diddy at Combs Enterprises. Kaplan, who served in the role from 2013 to 2015, told jurors that part of his duties involved preparing hotel rooms for Diddy's private encounters, which he referred to as 'freak-offs.' According to Kaplan, these preparations included setting up items like Astroglide lubricant, Johnson's baby oil, and candles—creating an atmosphere tailored to Diddy's specific preferences. Kaplan testified that he regularly booked hotel rooms for Diddy in major cities such as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Among the locations mentioned was the InterContinental Hotel, where Diddy was later seen on surveillance footage assaulting singer Cassie in March 2016. Although Kaplan's employment ended before that incident, his testimony painted a troubling picture of the behind-the-scenes operations at Combs Enterprises. He disclosed that he often reserved rooms under the alias 'Frank Black,' a name inspired by The Notorious B.I.G.'s alter ego, Frank White. Describing his job as grueling, Kaplan said he typically logged between 80 and 100 hours per week for a starting salary of $125,000. Despite the high compensation, he claimed the work came with intense pressure and verbal threats. 'He told me he only wanted the best around him,' Kaplan said, alleging that Diddy would regularly threaten to fire him if he didn't meet those expectations. Kaplan's responsibilities extended beyond logistics; he was also tasked with packing Diddy's bags and then unpacking and arranging the room to meet his boss's standards, often setting the mood with specific items in anticipation of private liaisons. Kaplan's testimony is one of several key elements in a case that has drawn widespread attention for its explosive allegations. His account adds to the growing portrait of a celebrity empire allegedly sustained by coercion, secrecy, and manipulation. As the trial continues, more witnesses are expected to shed light on Combs' inner circle and the nature of his conduct. For now, Kaplan's words provide a rare and intimate glimpse into the personal demands of one of the entertainment industry's most powerful figures—and the troubling dynamics that may have enabled them. SEE ALSO Ex-Assistant Testifies To Diddy's 'Freak-Off' Rituals In Hotel Room Setup was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Starting5: Shedeur Sanders Lawsuit, Rick Ross Car Show, HIV News, and Black Voter Plan
Welcome to Starting5, your daily rundown of five ATL news items that should be on your radar or in your group chat. Our morning primer covering culture, politics, sports, and more, is your cheat sheet on what's buzzing in the A. Shedeur Sanders was believed by many to be one of the most talented collegiate footballers available in last month's NFL Draft. So when 143 players were selected before the star quarterback from the University of Colorado, conspiracy theories swirled. Players chosen early in the draft typically sign more lucrative contracts, so Sanders falling to the fifth round before being taken by the Cleveland Browns costs Deion's son serious cash. One Georgian is taking his own claims to court in pursuit of $100 million in damages, according to USA Today. The plaintiff — referred to as John Doe — alleged a 'coordinated and racially motivated smear campaign' against Sanders by the NFL and its teams. After suing earlier this month, John Doe filed an emergency motion Monday requesting various records, from relevant internal communications to recordings of team meetings that involved Sanders to an extensive report that found evidence of collusion against Black QBs. The NFL has not publicly addressed the lawsuit. A federal agent testified Wednesday in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial, speaking on the March 2024 raid of the music mogul's Miami properties that reportedly yielded guns, drugs, and sex paraphernalia. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Gerard Gannon said authorities found 31 bottles of Astroglide lubricant and 25 bottles of baby oil on the property, according to NBC News. They also reportedly seized a handgun, a bag that contained white residue that tested positive for cocaine and ketamine, and pills that tested positive for MDMA and the main ingredient of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Combs' team downplayed the gun evidence, insisting that the weapon was wrapped in tape and unloaded, making it inoperable. Combs' assistant, George Kaplan, testified against his former boss after being granted immunity by the prosecution. He spoke of being tasked to regularly clean Diddy's hotel rooms of baby oil and empty liquor bottles — but the court adjourned before his testimony wrapped. He will resume Thursday. But all eyes will be on Kid Cudi, who is also expected to take the stand to speak on his brief romantic relationship with Combs' ex, Cassie Ventura. The biggest vehicle showcase Fayetteville has seen is scheduled to return next month for a fourth consecutive year. Rick Ross' car and bike show is pulling up on June 7, and police and local officials reportedly say they are prepared for the influx of visitors that have previously created traffic, litter, and noise nuisances in the Atlanta suburb. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that South Fulton officers plan to clock extra shifts on the day of the show, posting up at key intersections, working with local business owners to prevent guests from trashing their parking lots, and coordinating with Ross' team. General admission to mingle with other car lovers at the showcase will run you $250. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says she has a simple solution for engaging Black male voters: Hear them out. 'I'm going to talk directly to Black men … about why they have been discouraged [and] what maybe made them say, 'I don't know that anybody is listening to me,'' Bottoms told Capital B Atlanta on Tuesday after officially launching her Georgia gubernatorial campaign. Black men in the Peach State became a focus in last year's general election and are believed by many to be a key voting bloc. In a wide-ranging interview with Capital B Atlanta, Bottoms shared her thoughts on reproductive rights; 'Cop City'; diversity, equity, and inclusion; immigration; and galvanizing voters. 'It's about all of us,' she said. 'We can't take anybody for granted.' The Fulton County Board of Health reportedly cut 17 jobs on Monday without the approval of Georgia's Department of Health. One laid-off employee said the move will have 'major implications for the community's health going forward.' Healthbeat Atlanta reports that Fulton's health department, which is instrumental in delivering sexual health and HIV services, has put two executive leaders of the county agency on leave. Fulton is among the 15 counties nationwide with the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses in 2022, according to data from AidsVu. A spokesperson for the public health department said the cuts will not affect delivery of services. The post Starting5: Shedeur Sanders Lawsuit, Rick Ross Car Show, HIV News, and Black Voter Plan appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Diddy Employee Reveals The Notorious B.I.G.-Inspired Alias He Used To Book Hotels
'Freak-offs' have been a major focal point in the Diddy sex trafficking trial, especially the initial alleged details of what hotel rooms would be stocked with and look like afterward. His former employee recently testified about his experience booking lodging for the 55-year-old artist, and how the fake name he used was connected to The Notorious B.I.G. George Kaplan, Diddy's former assistant, told the jury on Wednesday (May 21) that he would often be told by Puff or Kristina Khorram, his chief of staff, to arrange stays for the controversial mogul on short notice. The former REVOLT chairman's preferred locations were allegedly in New York, Miami, or Los Angeles; namely, NY's Trump International Hotel & Tower or LA's The InterContinental, where he infamously assaulted Cassie in 2016. Diddy, like many celebrities, would use an alias given the alleged activity happening in the rooms and his general celebrity status. Kaplan revealed that his go-to fake name was 'Frank Black,' a play on the late Biggie's moniker 'Frank White.' The Bad Boy co-founder spent the years following Big's death constantly paying homage to him and divulging their relationship, so it is no surprise that he was top of mind in this regard. George Kaplan was also given specific instructions on setting up the hotel rooms; his testimony aligned with details of the lawsuits against Diddy. He would bring a bag with him full of 'clothes, a speaker, candles, liquor, baby oil and Astroglide,' and unpack it before the Press Play artist arrived. Kaplan revealed that he 'often' purchased these items with a corporate credit card, adding that he believed Diddy began to have him around more often when he gained more trust in him. Kaplan also revealed that he would pick up additional items for the mogul at his request, which included more clothing, food, and 'sometimes drugs.' The 'Last Night' artist apparently had a toiletries bag that was stocked with ketamine and Advil. Kaplan's account of what the rooms looked like when he went to clean them after Puff was finished was also accurate to the details of the lawsuits. He claimed that he would see empty bottles of Gatorade, alcohol, and baby oil. Prosecutors were interested in why Kaplan did the cleaning and not hotel staff, to which he replied, 'It was implied — protecting him and protecting his public image were really important.' Over the last few weeks, the jury has heard from Cassie regarding her experiences in the 'freak-offs,' sex workers, and now an assistant who helped put them together. One can only imagine what will be brought to light next. More from Clinical Psychologist Testifies During Diddy Trial, Speaks On Abuser-Victim Dynamic Meek Mill Reveals The "Craziest" Experience He's Had While At A Diddy Party Sex Worker Claims Diddy Dressed Like A Muslim Woman To Conceal Identity During "Freak-Off"
