Latest news with #China:ThroughtheLookingGlass
1News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- 1News
Former aide says Sean 'Diddy' Combs kidnapped her in plot to kill Kid Cudi
A former top aide to Sean 'Diddy' Combs has testified that the hip-hop mogul threatened to kill her during her first day on the job and kidnapped her at gunpoint as he sought to kill rapper Kid Cudi. Capricorn Clark's account of Combs' volatility and violence launched the third week of testimony at his federal sex trafficking trial in Manhattan. Prosecutors called Clark, the former global brand director for Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment, as they work to prove he led a two-decade racketeering conspiracy that relied on beefy bodyguards, death threats and the silence of frightened staff to ensure he got what he wanted. Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to an indictment alleging he abused his longtime girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, and others. If convicted, he could face 15 years to life in prison. ADVERTISEMENT Clark's testimony came days after Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi, testified that Clark called him from a car outside his home in December 2011 and told him Combs had forced her to accompany him to Cudi's house. Combs was angry Cudi was dating Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, Clark said. Cassie Ventura, left, and Sean "Diddy" Combs appear at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating "China: Through the Looking Glass" in New York on May 4, 2015. (Source: Associated Press) Clark, who mostly referred to Combs as 'Puff' during her testimony, said he came to her home with a gun in his hand, demanded that she get dressed and come with him because 'we're going to kill Cudi.' Clark, her voice shaky at times, said they rode in a black Cadillac Escalade to Cudi's Los Angeles home, where Combs and his bodyguard entered the residence while Clark sat in the SUV and called Cassie. Clark testified she told Cassie that Combs 'got me with a gun and brought me to Cudi's house to kill him". Clark said she heard Cudi in the background asking, 'He's in my house?' She said she told Cassie, 'Stop him, he's going to get himself killed.' ADVERTISEMENT Cassie told her she couldn't stop Cudi, she recalled. Combs returned to the Escalade and asked Clark who she was talking to, Clark testified. He grabbed the phone and called Cassie back, she said. They then heard Cudi driving up the road, she said. Combs and his bodyguard got back in the SUV and chased after Cudi, finally giving up when they passed police cars that were heading for Cudi's house. After the break-in, Clark said, Combs told them that they had to convince Cudi 'it wasn't me". 'If you don't convince him of that I'll kill all you,' he said, punctuating his threat with an expletive, according to Clark. Clark said she and Cassie then went to Cudi's home, telling jurors: 'We needed to talk to him. We needed to make sure he wasn't going to make a police report about Puff." ADVERTISEMENT After that, she said she watched in shock as Combs viciously assaulted Cassie over her relationship with Cudi. Combs kicked Cassie with '100% full force" to the legs and back as she curled on the ground outside his home in a fetal position and wept silently, Clark said. Clark said her 'heart was breaking from seeing her get hit like that' and that neither she nor Combs' bodyguard intervened. The answer prompted an objection from Combs' lawyers, and Judge Arun Subramanian told jurors to disregard it. Combs' lawyer Marc Agnifilo questioned Clark's recollection, leading her to reconsider certain details. She admitted some haziness about events that happened "such a long time ago". On Thursday, Cudi testified that he dated Cassie briefly in December 2011, believing she'd broken up with Combs, but they agreed over the holidays to end the relationship. Assistant US Attorney Mitzi Steiner questioned Clark about her off-and-on employment with Combs from 2004 to 2018, beginning with her first day when she said Combs and a bodyguard took her to Central Park after 9pm and said he hadn't been aware of her past work for other rappers. ADVERTISEMENT Clark testified that Combs told her that if that work became an issue, he'd have to kill her. Clark said she was only weeks into the job when Combs tasked her with carrying diamond jewellery, and it went missing. As a result, she said, she was repeatedly given lie detector tests over a five-day stretch by a man who seemed five times larger than her own size. 'He said: 'If you fail this test, they're going to throw you in the East River,'' she recalled, adding that they eventually let her return to work. Even the alleged kidnapping didn't scare Clark away, Agnifilo noted. Last year, after federal agents raided Combs' homes, she suggested returning to his employment as his chief of staff. Combs rejected the offer, Agnifilo said.
Japan Today
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie testifies at his trial about abuse and 'freak offs'
FILE - Cassie Ventura, left, and Sean "Diddy" Combs appear at The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating "China: Through the Looking Glass" in New York on May 4, 2015. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File) By MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER Cassie, the R&B singer and former girlfriend of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, testified on Tuesday that the music mogul abused and sexually exploited her for years, as she took the witness stand for the first time during his sex trafficking trial. Sighing heavily and pausing to compose herself at times, Cassie told the New York jury about Combs forcing her into elaborate sexual marathons with male sex workers, which he called 'freak offs.' She said she didn't feel like she could say 'no' to Combs, who she said assaulted during their turbulent relationship, hitting her in the head, stomping on her and dragging her numerous times. 'Sean controlled a lot of my life, whether it was career, the way I dressed, everything, everything,' Cassie testified, later adding, 'Sean is a really polarizing person, also very charming.' Cassie, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, sued Combs in 2023 alleging years of abuse. The suit was settled within hours but dozens of similar legal claims followed, sparking the criminal investigation. She is the star witness for prosecutors who accuse Combs of using his status as a powerful executive to orchestrate a deviant empire of exploitation, coercing women into abusive sex parties and becoming violent if they refused. She is expected to return to the stand Wednesday to answer more questions from prosecutors before being cross-examined by Combs' attorneys. Lawyers for three-time Grammy winner argue that, although he could be violent, Combs never veered into sex trafficking and racketeering, telling jurors that the sexual acts were consensual. Defense attorney Teny Geragos said in opening statements on Monday that jurors might think Combs is a 'jerk' and might not condone his 'kinky sex,' but that 'he's not charged with being a jerk.' Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty. He has been jailed since his arrest in September. If convicted, could get at least 15 years and up to life in prison. Combs interacted with his lawyers during Cassie's testimony but remained largely stoic. During an afternoon break, he made a heart shape with his hands toward one of his twin daughters and mouthed 'Thank you.' He also blew a kiss toward his mother. She and Combs met in 2005 when she was 19 and he was 37. He signed her to his Bad Boy Records label and, within a few years, they started dating. Her 2006 single, 'Me & U," hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart, was certified platinum and was the lead single of her only studio album, released by Combs' label. Under questioning by a prosecutor, Cassie said their relationship ran the gamut from good times to arguments and physical altercations. Combs became increasingly controlling and sometimes violent, she said, leaving her bruised and battered. She said the abuse happened 'too frequently" and sometimes came after the smallest perceived slights. Cassie sniffled and dabbed her eyes with a tissue while on the stand. She is pregnant and would occasionally rest her hands on her belly. Her husband was in the courtroom. Now 38 years old, Cassie said she was barely 22 when Combs first asked her to do a 'freak off,' which she said stemmed from Combs' interest in voyeurism. These involved her hiring sex workers at Combs' behest for thousands of dollars and 'setting up this experience so that I could perform for Sean." 'He was controlling the whole situation. He was directing it,' she said. The encounters would go on for 36 or 48 hours, and she said the longest lasted four days. 'I was an object being heavily objectified by men in that scenario,' she testified. They took place in private, often in dark hotel rooms, unlike Combs' very public White Parties in the Hamptons that attracted A-list celebrities and gossip columnists. Her first 'freak off' occurred in Combs' Los Angeles home with a male stripper from Las Vegas, she said. She felt dirty and confused afterward, but also relieved that Combs was happy. Still, she said she felt obligated to go along with future 'freak offs." 'I just didn't want to make him upset," she said. "I just didn't want to make him angry and regret telling me about this experience that was so personal.' Cassie began crying when asked if she liked any aspect of the 'freak offs.' She said she enjoyed 'time spent with him.' She said she used drugs at every 'freak off' to numb herself during 'emotionless sex with a stranger that I didn't really want to have sex with.' The Associated Press doesn't generally identify people who say they are victims of sexual abuse unless they come forward publicly, as Cassie has done. Soon, she said, she was doing 'freak offs' weekly. They went on for a decade, with the final one occurring in 2017 or 2018, she said. Each time, she said, she had to recuperate from lack of sleep, alcohol, drugs and 'having sex with a stranger for days.' She described the situation as: ''Freak offs' became a job where there was no space to do anything else but to recover and just try to feel normal again.' Shown still images from the now-infamous 2016 security camera footage of Combs beating her at a Los Angeles hotel, Cassie said it happened after a 'freak off" as she was leaving. Video of the attack was shown to jurors on Monday and is a key part of the prosecution's case. After the footage was leaked last year, Combs apologized. Cassie said the 'freak offs' involved lots of baby oil and she described being humiliated by some of the things Combs made her do. During her opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson told the jury that Cassie was far from the only woman Combs beat and sexually exploited. Johnson said Combs last year brutally beat another woman — identified only as Jane — when she confronted him about enduring years of 'freak offs.' Combs was among the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past three decades, working with a slew of top-tier artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige and Usher. He also created the fashion clothing line Sean John and produced the reality show 'Making the Band' for MTV. Associated Press writer Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Vogue
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Stevie Wonder and Usher Headline a True Musical Extravaganza at the 2025 Met Gala
Over the years, the Met Gala has developed something of a reputation for its show-stopping (or should that be dinner-stopping?) musical performance—from Rihanna belting out 'Bitch Better Have My Money' during 2015's 'China: Through the Looking Glass,' to Cynthia Erivo joining Ariana Grande onstage for a duet of 'When You Believe' at last year's 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion' celebration. For the 2025 gala, however, fêting 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,' one or two big acts simply wouldn't do: The night, a tribute to the Black dandy, demanded a constellation of musical talent, beginning with a show on the red carpet. As celebrities streamed onto the daffodil-strewn Met steps, Silk & Sound, a 20-person chorus, serenaded guests (and eager onlookers posted across Fifth Avenue) with a rendition of 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough.' (Creative direction was by Allen René Louis.) The red carpet performance at the 2025 Met Gala The group would later move into the Great Hall, where, throughout the night, they covered a string of classic R&B, disco, and reggae hits, including 'Let's Groove' by Earth, Wind & Fire; 'Rock With You' by Michael Jackson; 'Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing' by Stevie Wonder (more on him later); 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley; 'Let's Stay Together' by Al Green; 'Lovely Day' by Bill Withers; 'Never Too Much' by Luther Vandross; and 'Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now' by McFadden & Whitehead. Joining them were the Matt Jones Orchestra, conducted by Matt Jones himself. Next came an interlude, arranged by Met Gala co-chair Pharrell Williams, from the 26-member Voices of Fire choir, based in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and directed by Bishop Ezekiel Williams, Pharrell's uncle. They performed melodious arrangements of 'JOY (Unspeakable),' 'Anywhere,' and—of course—'Happy,' because what would a major Pharrell outing be without that number? Later in the evening, as guests lingered in the Engelhard Court during cocktail hour, the call to dinner came—quite suddenly!—courtesy of New York's High and Mighty Brass Band, an eight-person group established back in 2009. They did 'No Diggity' by Blackstreet and Dr. Dre and 'Here Comes the Hotstepper' by Ini Kamoze.
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
8 Looks that Honored Black Dandyism at the 2025 Met Gala
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Colman Domingo, Met Gala Co-Chair, attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by) Getty Images 'The first Monday in May' is something of an in-the-know phrase for those who follow the fashion industry. Every year, celebrities, industry legends and musicians alike attend one of—if not the—most coveted parties on the fashion calendar: the Met Gala. Ostensibly a charity function, the Met Gala has grown to become an institution within a cross-section of industries. With each year bringing a new theme, stylists up the ante in new, creative ways. This year's theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, highlights the sartorial history of black dandyism and its influence on modern menswear today. How did the attendees do embracing this year's theme? Keep reading to find out. The Met Gala of today is far from its more humble beginnings. Founded by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert in 1948 as a fundraiser for the newly-opened Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it has since grown to become one of the most exclusive industry events on the planet. Under Vogue's editor-in-chief Anna Wintour's tutelage, the Met Gala has become something of a thing of legends. From Rihanna's long-trained yellow gown in 2015 (the theme being 'China: Through the Looking Glass') to A$AP Rocky's quilted statement piece ('In America: A Lexicon of Fashion'), every year seems to bring a broader definition to what fashion can be. This year's theme is a historic one for the Met Gala. With its focus on black fashion, and especially menswear, co-chairs (Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour) have brought a new spotlight to an often-overlooked part of African-American sartorial history. To understand black dandyism, one must look to the time period in which it emerged as both a style and a subtle act of resistance. As USA Today notes, In 18th century England, slave owners would often decorate their slaves in elegant clothing, as a way to flaunt their own wealth. 'Luxury slaves' were a status symbol, but soon transformed into an act of resistance. These 'dandified' slaves would find ways to make the costumery imposed on them their own, often adding small details that added personality and individualism into their clothing. Fast-forwarding to Jim Crow-era United States, the power of clothing and what is signified was once again used as a powerful tool for the black community. Black dandyism, a vibrant cultural movement from Harlem to New Orleans began to take root. Black men would emphasize personal style, often with exaggerated tailored silhouettes, accessories and vibrant colors, eschewing the racial stereotypes of the era. These dandies were saying to their white counterparts, 'I'm not dressing like you; I'm doing it better than you.' NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: (Exclusive Coverage) Met Gala Co-Chair Colman Domingo attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG25/for The Met Museum/Vogue)for The Met Museum/Vogue NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Bad Bunny attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/FilmMagic) FilmMagic NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Met Gala Co-Chair Lewis Hamilton attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo byfor The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Met Gala Co-Chair, A$AP Rocky attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by) Getty Images NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Doechii attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo byfor The Met Museum/Vogue) Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Zendaya attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images) The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Pharrell Williams, Met Gala Co-Chair, attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by) Getty Images NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Jeremy O. Harris attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images) The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images The Met Gala's theme this year has introduced many to the concept of black dandyism and its sartorial history. If you'd like to explore more, be sure to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art for their 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' exhibit from May 10 to October 26, 2025.
Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Wildest Met Gala outfits - Rihanna's omelette dress to Jared Leto's cat costume
The annual Met Gala is upon us again as the toast of Hollywood gets ready to rock up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York in an array of outlandish outfits The star-studded Met Gala never fails to disappoint with its selection of weird and wonderful outfits. Each year, the toast of Hollywood rocks up on the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York, giving their take on the fashion extravaganza's latest theme. Over the years, we've been treated to a whole array of outlandish looks, from Rihanna's striking omelette dress to Jared Leto's hilarious homage to Karl Lagerfeld's cat, Choupette. So, as we wait for tonight's take on 'Superfine: Tailoring black style - which is apparently an expression of 'Black dandyism' - here's a look back at the wildest looks from the Met Gala over the years... Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham to deliver ultimate snub to Victoria and David tonight Rihanna's omelette dress Rihanna was a vision in yellow when she rocked up at the Met Gala in 2015 for the theme of that's year's event, which was China: Through the Looking Glass. It took designer, Guo Pei, almost two years to make the Yellow Empress cape, which weighed 55lbs. Pei said she had a powerful woman in her head when she created it, musing: 'When I had this design in mind, I [was thinking] of a woman that can carry weight on her arms. It's a dress she has to lift, like she can lift the whole world." Rihanna just about managed to lift the frock, although she did need to help to get up the stairs - and was unfortunately compared to an omelette due to the gown's striking yellow colour. Jared Let's cat costume Jared Leto always knows how to make a statement at the Met Gala, and 2023 was no different. Embracing the theme 'In honour of Karl,', which honoured the late fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld, the Gucci star stunned fans when he dressed up as Karl's iconic pet cat, Choupette. Pawing his way across the red carpet, sporting the furry costume, which came complete with a enormous cat head, the actor truly took the tribute to a whole new level. Doja Cat's feline fantasy Sticking with the feline theme, Kiss Me star, Doja Cat, also got the feline memo and donned realistic cat prosthetics, claw-like nails, and a dazzling diamond headpiece complete with cat ears for her debut at the Met Gala, honouring Karl. And in true Doja fashion, the talented singer stayed in character all night, even answering red carpet questions with actual meows. Kim Kardashian's 'gimp' glamour Kim Kardashian's bizarre Met Gala 2021 outfit was mocked on Twitter, now X, with people comparing the SKIMS star to a 'gimp' and a Dementor from Harry Potter. The mum-of-four had one of the most surprising outfits at the gala when she arrived in a head-to-toe in the black bodysuit designed by Balenciaga that completely disguised her face. Lil Nas' metallic thong Rapper Lil Nas went all out in 2023 when he painted his body in silver and rocked up wearing only a matching sparkly thong. The rapper turned heads in memorable metallic Dior Men underwear and even added a subtle nod to Karl cat, Choupette, with shimmering silver whiskers, completing the racy look. Cara Delevingne frees the nipple Model and actress, Cara Delevingne, declared: "The nipple needs to be free' as she whipped off her jacket at the Met Gala 2022. Posing topless with her body adorned in shimmering gold body paint, the goddaughter of Joan Collins stunned at the New York City event, putting her own spin on the Gilded Glamour guidelines. Katy Perry dresses up as a chandelier Firework star, Katy Perry, lit up the Met Gala when she dressed up as a chandelier in 2019. The singer embraced the Camp: Notes on Fashion theme in a striking Moschino chandelier outfit designed by Jeremy Scott. Weighing 40 pounds and adorned with working lights, the look was bold, theatrical - and decidedly dazzling. Katy even added to the occasion by singing a snippet of Sia's iconic Chandelier song on the red carpet. Jared Leto carries a severed head Back with Jared, and the actor turned heads quite literally when he arrived carrying a carbon copy of his own severed body part in 2019. The head-turning look was both creepy and camp and was inspired by Susan Sontag's famous 1964 essay, Camp: Notes on Fashion. The Oscar winner donned a red silk Gucci gown on the red carpet, complete with a high neck, puffy shoulders and crystals almost as twinkly as Katy's chandelier.
