Latest news with #FreakOffs'
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Diddy' trial takeaways: Defense questions ex-employee on why she kept working for Sean Combs despite alleged abuse
A former employee of Sean 'Diddy' Combs faced sharp questions on cross-examination Friday as the hip-hop mogul's federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial ended its third week of testimony. The employee – testifying under the pseudonym 'Mia' – testified with a stronger tone under cross examination, in contrast to her guarded manner during questioning by prosecutors when she spoke with her head bowed down and her bangs covering her face, at times responding in nearly a whisper. She is expected to resume cross-examination on Monday. Her testimony comes as the prosecution has sought to show Combs and his inner circle formed a criminal enterprise that used threats, violence, forced labor, drugs, bribery, arson, kidnapping and lies in order to coerce his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura into participating in 'Freak Offs' and to protect the music mogul's reputation. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to life in prison. His defense has acknowledged Combs was violent but has questioned the motives of those testifying, and has said the accusations fall short of a racketeering conspiracy. Here's what we learned on Friday. Mia testified on Thursday that Combs physically and sexually assaulted her, humiliated her and forced her to work grueling hours during her employment. On cross-examination Friday, defense attorney Brian Steel challenged her to explain why she still worked there from 2009 until 2017. 'In an abusive relationship there's a cycle of violence,' she said. 'I was young and manipulated and eager to survive. I'm unraveling a lot of this now in therapy. Nobody was there to say these things that were happening were wrong. There was nobody around us that ever even flinched at his behavior.' 'Why did you need someone else saying that it was wrong of Mr. Combs to make you feel like he would kill you?' Steel asked. Mia said there was a difference between her 'logic brain' and her 'trauma brain,' and the latter often won out. 'Eventually it becomes normalized and you're just trying to get back to the good. You make excuses for people. I'm a people-pleaser, I'm an empath, I'm a rule-follower,' Mia said. 'I just wanted to do my best and make everybody happy all the time.' Steel suggested three times that Mia made up her sexual assault allegations against Combs, but she stood firm. 'What I said in this courtroom is true. I have not lied to anyone at all,' she said. In addition, Steel asked Mia why she sent distraught messages threatening suicide in December 2016 after she learned her primary work project, Revolt Films, would be shutting down. Mia said she had finally gotten to the point where she was working in film and TV and loved what she did, in spite of alleged abuse from her boss. 'I didn't want to leave the company that I built where I was actually starting to see my dreams come to fruition,' she testified. Steel asked why it wouldn't be a good thing, since then she would be away from her abuser. 'At the time I didn't realize that,' Mia said. 'In hindsight, fantastic, but at the time the worst thing in the world.' The defense confronted Mia with about three dozen warm and friendly social media posts Mia made about Combs over the years following the alleged sexual assaults she described to the jury on Thursday. Defense attorney Steel highlighted some of the posts, including birthday wishes and photos of them together at Burning Man and at star-studded events. In some captions she called Combs her 'mentor,' an 'inspiration' and a 'legend,' signing several posts with 'Love You.' For example, in June 2014, Combs posted an Instagram photo of them together for her birthday and wrote, 'Beside every great man is a great woman' and 'Ps sorry I was acting crazy last night.' She reposted it and added, 'love you, you've shown me the world.' However, Mia testified that Combs had threatened her life the night before. She also posted a photo collage of him on Instagram for his 45th birthday, adding, 'Thank you for being the good kind of crazy and continuing to inspire me every day.' Steel challenged how Mia could write those words about someone who 'ruined' her life. On the stand, Mia said social media was about showing how great your life is – even if it isn't true – and said promoting her life around Combs was part of the job. 'The highs were high and the goods were good. You just fought so hard to stay in that,' Mia said. 'I was in fear any time Puff was not happy because I wanted to make sure that he was, because then I was safe,' she also testified. At the end of her direct testimony earlier on Friday, Mia testified about the end of her work relationship with Combs, her struggles with severe PTSD and her inability to keep a job. Mia testified that while she was in South Africa with Ventura in 2015, Combs threatened her, cursed at her, and threatened her job if she didn't return home early. Mia later emailed him about the price of flights and flight changes, asking him to tell her what to do and saying she loved him. 'I'm tiptoeing, that's the way I would survive so I didn't make him more mad or make him think that I thought what he was doing was wrong,' Mia testified. She testified that she tried to 'run away' from the job multiple times but felt she would never be able to be hired again. 'He would have destroyed my reputation,' she said. 'I was scared of him.' Their work relationship broke down for good in the fall of 2016, when Mia said she was told by another executive that Combs wanted to end Revolt Films, her primary project. She said she was in 'shock' and felt betrayed by the fact that Combs didn't tell her himself. Mia testified she hired employment attorneys in 2017 to negotiate her severance and bonuses she still hadn't been paid – a decision that she learned Combs viewed as a betrayal. After a months-long negotiation, they settled for around $400,000, of which she received about $200,000, she said. Beginning two weeks after Cassie Ventura filed her lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, Mia said she received several messages from Combs and his security guard asking for her to call Combs, but she declined, making excuses at times that she didn't have cell service. 'I just didn't want anything to do with him at all,' she testified. 'He was the person I was traumatized by.' She testified she understood the outreach to mean, 'Puff wanted D-Roc (the aforementioned security guard) to get to me and make sure I wasn't a threat.' Mia testified she has severe PTSD and hasn't been able to work since her time working for Combs. When she tried to work, 'I would be triggered by really normal situations with like an overwhelming sense of fear of being in trouble,' she said. For example, someone at work asked her where she was – hoping to get a coffee with her – but she was flooded with fear, she testified. When asked who caused her to have those feelings, Mia said, 'Puff.'
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Trump: No requests to pardon Sean 'Diddy' Combs, but will look at the facts
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Friday that no one has asked him to pardon Sean 'Diddy' Combs but that he would look at the facts of the hip-hop mogul's case. Trump's comments at a White House news conference came as Combs attended the 13th day of testimony in the rapper's criminal sex trafficking trial. The Bad Boy Records founder has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. During a press conference at the White House, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked Trump whether he would consider pardoning Combs, noting that the businessman-turned-politician said during a 2012 episode of his 'Celebrity Apprentice' reality show that he was friends with the rapper. 'Nobody's asked. You had to be the one to ask, Peter,' Trump said. 'I think some people have been very close to asking. First of all, I'd look at what's happening, and I haven't been watching it too closely although it's certainly getting a lot of coverage.' Since taking office on January 20, Trump has made extensive use of his power to pardon or commute the sentences of people accused of or convicted of federal crimes - a break with tradition as presidents normally wait until near the end of their terms before granting clemency. Trump, a Republican, said he had not seen or spoken to Combs in years. Combs could face life in prison if convicted on all counts. Also known throughout his career as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, Combs is known for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige into stars. In the process, he elevated hip-hop in American culture and became a billionaire. The criminal charges filed last September, as well as dozens of civil lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual abuse, have left his reputation in tatters. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan say Combs over two decades coerced women to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances known as 'Freak Offs' with male sex workers. Two women have testified that Combs had raped them. Combs' lawyers have acknowledged that he was at times abusive in romantic relationships, but argued that the women who took part in 'Freak Offs' did so consensually.
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Trump: No pardon request yet for Diddy, will review case
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Friday that no one has asked him to pardon Sean 'Diddy' Combs but that he would look at the facts of the hip-hop mogul's case. Trump's comments at a White House news conference came as Combs attended the 13th day of testimony in the rapper's criminal sex trafficking trial. The Bad Boy Records founder has pleaded not guilty to five felony counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. During a press conference at the White House, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked Trump whether he would consider pardoning Combs, noting that the businessman-turned-politician said during a 2012 episode of his 'Celebrity Apprentice' reality show that he was friends with the rapper. 'Nobody's asked. You had to be the one to ask, Peter,' Trump said. 'I think some people have been very close to asking. First of all, I'd look at what's happening, and I haven't been watching it too closely although it's certainly getting a lot of coverage.' Since taking office on January 20, Trump has made extensive use of his power to pardon or commute the sentences of people accused of or convicted of federal crimes - a break with tradition as presidents normally wait until near the end of their terms before granting clemency. Trump, a Republican, said he had not seen or spoken to Combs in years. Combs could face life in prison if convicted on all counts. Also known throughout his career as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, Combs is known for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige into stars. In the process, he elevated hip-hop in American culture and became a billionaire. The criminal charges filed last September, as well as dozens of civil lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual abuse, have left his reputation in tatters. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan say Combs over two decades coerced women to take part in drug-fueled sexual performances known as 'Freak Offs' with male sex workers. Two women have testified that Combs had raped them. Combs' lawyers have acknowledged that he was at times abusive in romantic relationships, but argued that the women who took part in 'Freak Offs' did so consensually.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Recap of ‘Diddy' trial: Ex-assistant details multiple alleged sexual assaults by Sean Combs
EDITOR'S NOTE: Warning: This story contains descriptions of rape and sexual violence. A former employee of Sean 'Diddy' Combs took center stage in his federal criminal trial Thursday and testified that he physically and sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions during the time she worked for him. The employee, who is testifying under the pseudonym 'Mia,' is expected to return to the stand on Friday to end the third week of testimony. The prosecution has said their case is expected to last about five weeks. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to life in prison. Prosecutors have said Combs and some in his inner circle acted as a criminal enterprise and used threats, violence, drugs, bribery, arson, kidnapping and lies to coerce his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura into participating in 'Freak Offs' and to protect the music mogul's reputation. The defense has acknowledged Combs was violent with romantic partners and said he had 'a bit of a different sex life' but argued he has not committed the alleged federal crimes. Here's what we learned in testimony Thursday. Mia, who worked as Combs' personal assistant and for Revolt Films from 2009 until 2017, said he sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions. Speaking in nearly a whisper and sometimes breaking into tears, Mia said the first time Combs sexually assaulted her was a few months into her employment when they were at the Plaza hotel in New York City for his 40th birthday party. She said Combs asked to speak with her in the kitchen and offered her two shots of vodka that she consumed. She said the drinks 'hit me kinda hard.' She said she was shocked when Combs then leaned in to kiss her against the wall and put his arm up her dress. Mia said the next thing she remembered, she was sitting in a chair in another room as the sun came up. In another incident, which she said took place in 2009 or 2010, Mia testified she was asleep in a bottom bunk bed in Combs' Los Angeles home when he climbed on top of her and raped her. The door was unlocked because she wasn't allowed to lock it, per Combs' house rules. Mia also testified about an incident that she said took place at Combs' Los Angeles home. She said she was packing a bag on the floor in Combs' bedroom closet when Combs appeared with his penis out. 'He grabbed my head and he put it in there,' she said. Mia testified that she never initiated sexual contact with Combs or told him she wanted to have sex with him. She said she 'froze' and didn't react during each incident. She added during testimony that she never told him 'no' during the sexual assaults because she was afraid Combs would fire her, ruin her future or physically hurt her. 'I couldn't tell him 'no,' like, about a sandwich, I couldn't tell him 'no' about anything. There's no way I could tell him 'no,'' Mia said. Mia also testified that she never told the company's human resources department because they were there to 'punish' not protect, and she said she didn't think anybody would believe her. Mia said she 'absolutely' did not want to talk about these incidents but felt a moral obligation to speak out now because 'when you're scared into silence, these things continue to happen to others,' she said. 'It's the most traumatizing (and) worst thing that's ever happened to me,' Mia said. Mia also detailed several instances in which Combs physically assaulted her, threw objects at her or yelled at her. Mia testified that sometimes Combs treated her like his best friend or working partner. At other times, he treated her 'like a worthless piece of crap.' On one night, Mia testified, Combs made a request of her, but before attending to it, she went to her room to retrieve a tampon, causing Combs to launch into a 'humiliating rant' in front of everyone present. When she told him that she needed to change her tampon, he 'aggressively' threw a bowl of spaghetti at her, she said. The bowl did not hit her, she said. After that moment, she ran outside, barefoot, and hid in a bush until she went to a hotel later that night, she testified. In another incident, when Combs' Wi-Fi didn't work, he threw a computer at Mia's head but missed, she testified. Mia described the work environment with Combs as 'chaotic' and 'toxic,' determined by Combs' ever-changing mood. Mia said she was 25 or 26 when she first applied to work for Combs. When she and the head of human resources went to Combs' apartment for an interview with him, Combs answered the door in his underwear, she testified. The HR employee left after introducing them, and Combs later put more clothes on, Mia said. The former assistant said she didn't sleep during her first 24 hours on the job and said working long hours on little sleep was the norm. One time, she said she worked for five days straight without sleep, using extended-release Adderall to stay awake. The jury was shown a list of Mia's job responsibilities that she wrote in November 2011. The list included 'PROTECT HIM AT ALL TIMES' and 'anticipating his needs, whims, and moods.' She also wrote that Combs could ask her to do '17,000 things at one time' ranging from 'cracking his knuckles to writing his next movie to doing his taxes.' Mia said she wasn't allowed to leave Combs' homes without his permission. Only Combs' security personnel were allowed to lock their doors, according to his rules, Mia testified. For about a year, Mia testified, she was the only personal assistant. Asked how she felt during that time, she said: 'I didn't have time to feel. But, like, insane.' On the stand, Mia recalled incidents of physical violence by Combs against his now ex girlfriend Cassie Ventura, including one during which Mia remembers fearing that Combs was going to kill Ventura. One incident, first detailed on the stand by Ventura, took place at Ventura's apartment. Mia said she and stylist Deonte Nash, who began his testimony on Wednesday and concluded on Thursday, witnessed Combs assaulting Ventura and tried to intervene. Choking up on the stand, Mia said she saw Combs pick Ventura up and thought, 'is he going to kill her.' 'His eyes turned like black and there was like no getting through,' she said of Combs' demeanor during the incident. 'Like I was trying to get him to stop and it was like he was looking through me.' Mia said Combs slammed Ventura's head into the corner of a bed, opening up a gash. The jury was earlier in the trial shown a photo of an eyebrow scar that Ventura said came from the assault. Afterward, Combs told Mia to get in touch with an assistant to schedule a doctor's appointment to fix Ventura's injury and told her to say that Ventura fell because she was drunk, Mia testified. In 2012, during a trip to Turks and Caicos with Combs and Ventura, Mia said she was woken up by Ventura, who ran into the room screaming that Combs was going to 'kill' her. In another incident in Turks and Caicos, Mia testified she and Ventura sought to escape Combs and took paddleboards out to sea while Combs was on the beach screaming at them. When the skies turned black, they had to decide if it was 'scarier to face Mother Nature or to go back to Puff,' she said. They went back to shore, she said. Overall, Mia said she never saw Ventura fight back. 'I've just seen her with her arms up, for him to stop,' she said. Mia said she never reported anything to the police. 'I believed that Puff's authority was above the police,' she said. Confidentiality was the most important thing to him, Mia testified, and she 'was supposed to protect him from people.' Deonte Nash, a celebrity stylist who worked with Combs and Ventura for about a decade, testified on cross-examination Thursday morning that he 'always' had concerns for Ventura's safety. The comments came when defense attorney Xavier Donaldson asked Nash about his previous testimony in which he said he saw a man enter Ventura and Combs' hotel room over New Years in 2016-2017. Nash said he left their room after Ventura said Combs wanted to invite another man over. Donaldson suggested that since Nash left without asking any questions, he must not have had any concerns about Ventura's safety. 'I always did,' Nash said. 'In this situation, you left the room anyway, correct?' Donaldson asked, shortly after. 'Yes,' Nash responded.
CNN
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Live updates: Sean ‘Diddy' Combs trial continues after news of Cassie Ventura's birth
Update: Date: 3 min ago Title: Exotic dancer who testified talks to CNN in latest episode of Laura Coates' podcast Content: After 30 years in the media spotlight, there are no cameras at the trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs. But CNN anchor and chief legal analyst Laura Coates takes audiences inside the courtroom in the latest episode of her podcast 'Trial By Jury: Diddy.' Coates shines a light on every move that matters in Diddy's trial for racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and assault to engage in prostitution. In the latest episode, Sharay Hayes, the exotic dancer known by his stage name 'The Punisher' who took the stand last week, sits down with Coates to share a candid telling of his encounters with Combs and his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. Also, a close associate of both Combs and Cassie provides his perspective on how Combs' control of Ventura's look is important to the prosecution's case. Listen to 'Trial By Jury: Diddy' here. Update: Date: 3 min ago Title: Here's what happened in court yesterday Content: Police and fire investigators who looked into the rapper Kid Cudi's allegations and a celebrity stylist who said he witnessed several assaults testified in the third week of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' federal criminal trial. Prosecutors have said Combs and his inner circle used threats, violence, drugs, bribery, arson, kidnapping and lies to coerce his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, and another woman into participating in 'Freak Offs' and to protect the music mogul's reputation. The defense has acknowledged Combs was violent with romantic partners and during opening statements said he had 'a bit of a different sex life.' They also said that while Combs is 'a very flawed individual,' he has not committed the alleged federal crimes. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to life in prison. Here's what we learned Wednesday: LAPD and LAFD investigated Kid Cudi incidents: Judge denies defense request for mistrial: Celebrity stylist details Combs' control over Ventura
