Latest news with #PursuitofHappiness'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy Wanted to 'Kill' Kid Cudi Over Cassie, Former Employee Testifies
Originally appeared on E! Online Capricorn Clark was worried for Kid Cudi and Cassie Ventura amid their romance. As Sean 'Diddy' Combs' former assistant testified against him in his sex trafficking trial May 27, she shared what allegedly happened after Combs learned that his then-girlfriend and the 'Pursuit of Happiness' rapper (real name Scott Mescudi) were dating, according to NBC News reporters in the courtroom. 'There were people at my door, including Combs,' Clark told jurors. 'I could tell he was furious. He was pacing, and his body language looked like he had something in his hand. I couldn't really see.' The former employee said that Combs—who dated Ventura on and off from 2007 to 2018—arrived at her apartment on Dec. 22, 2011, in slacks that were split in the crotch and a firearm in his hand. 'He just said, 'Get dressed, we're going to go kill Mescudi,'' Clark testified. 'I said, 'I don't want to go,' and he said, 'I don't give a f--k what you want to do.' He was livid, furious, mad at me. I had never seen anything like this before. I never saw him come to my house, I never saw him with a weapon.' More from E! Online Shaboozey Speaks Out After Seemingly Rolling His Eyes at Megan Moroney Comment at AMAs How The Handmaid's Tale Series Finale Ended After 6 Seasons—With One Big Burning Question Duck Dynasty's Sadie Robertson Details Final Moments with Grandfather Phil Robertson Clark—who worked for Combs on and off from 2004 to 2020, as well as Ventura's creative director until 2018—said that after the 15-20 minute ride to Mescudi's home, she allegedly called Cassie to let her know that Combs brought her 'with a gun to Cudi's house to kill him.' (Mescudi testified last week to Combs allegedly breaking into his house.) Combs has not publicly addressed the alleged break-in. Clark—who also testified that she helped Ventura buy a burner phone for her relationship with Mescudi out of fear for her safety—alleged that after Combs returned from going into Mescudi's house, he took her phone and called the last number on the call history. She said that the Bad Boy Records founder forced her to call the 'Me & U' singer back and let her know that he wasn't going to let Clark go until she met them. Ventura agreed, Clark testified. Clark said that once the trio returned to Combs' home, he allegedly beat his then-girlfriend at '100 percent full force.' 'He repeatedly kicked her,' she said, noting that Ventura was silently crying amid the attack. 'Each kick, she would crouch more and more into a fetal position.' She recalled allegedly hearing Combs still kicking Ventura as she left the rental home, adding, 'He said if I jump in, he was going to f--k me up too.' Although Clark didn't call the authorities, she testified that she reached out to Ventura's mom Regina Ventura. 'I told her mom, I said, 'He's beating the shit out of your daughter,'' she said. ''I'm in over my head. Please help her. I can't call the police, but you can.' She said, 'I'll handle it,' and we hung up.' Clark alleged that Ventura and Mescudi's brief romance led to her 2012 firing, claiming that she 'lost everything.' 'He said I would never work again and all these people weren't my friends,' she recalled. 'He would make me kill myself.' Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking, prostitution, racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, as well as transportation to engage in prostitution. For more revelations from Diddy's trial, keep reading. (E! News and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.) Kid Cudi Describes Sean 'Diddy' Combs Behaving Like a 'Marvel Super Villain' During Conversation About Cassie VenturaKid Cudi Said Sean 'Diddy' Combs Asked If They Were 'Cool' After Their ConversationKid Cudi Recounts House Being Broken Into and Car Catching On Fire After Sean 'Diddy' Combs Learned About His Relationship With Cassie VenturaSean 'Diddy' Combs Speaks Out in CourtCassie Ventura's Mom Says She Paid Sean 'Diddy' Combs $20,000 After He Threatened to Release Sex TapesSean 'Diddy' Combs Carried Pills With Barack Obama's Face, According to Former AssistantSean 'Diddy' Combs Always Carried Pills to 'Increase Sperm Count,' Former Assistant TestifiesHotel Room Was Stocked with Baby Oil, Pink Ketamine and $9,000 Cash When Sean 'Diddy' Combs Was ArrestedFormer Cassie Ventura Friend Says She Was Attacked by Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Accepted $30,000 to Remain SilentDawn Richard Testifies She Saw Sean "Diddy" Combs Try to Hit Cassie Ventura With a SkilletCassie Ventura Shoots Down Accusation of Drugs in the 'Freak Off' Baby OilCassie Ventura Details Sean 'Diddy' Combs Drug UseJudge Calls For Recess Amid Cassie Ventura's Testimony at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' TrialCassie Ventura Says That She Participated in 'Hundreds' of 'Freak Offs' with Sean 'Diddy' CombsCassie Ventura Says She Settled 2023 Lawsuit Against Sean 'Diddy' Combs for $20 MillionCassie Ventura Alleges Sean 'Diddy' Combs Raped Her in 2018 When She Was Already With Future Husband Alex FineCassie Ventura Says She Broke Up With Kid Cudi After Sean 'Diddy' Combs ThreatCassie Ventura Says 'Freak Offs' Gave Her UTIs, Other Physical AilmentsSean "Diddy" Combs Allegedly Told Cassie Ventura That She "Couldn't" Leave Him During Hotel AttackCassie Ventura Says Sean "Diddy" Combs Attacked Her in Hotel Hallway Because She Left a "Freak Off"Cassie Ventura Says She Took Drugs to Make It Through 'Freak Offs'Cassie Ventura Describes Mess of Oil, Urine and Blood After "Freak Offs"Sean 'Diddy' Combs Wanted Baby Oil 'Glistening' During 'Freak Offs,' Says Cassie VenturaCassie Ventura Said Hiring For 'Freak Offs' Became 'a Job' For Her For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kid Cudi testifies about car fire and 'Marvel supervillain' meeting at Diddy's trial
This is a free article for Diddy on Trial newsletter subscribers. Sign up to get exclusive reporting and analysis throughout Sean Combs' federal trial. Grammy-winning rapper Scott Mescudi — better known by his stage name, Kid Cudi — took the witness stand today as prosecutors continued sketching their portrait of Diddy's violent and chaotic world. Here's what the 'Pursuit of Happiness' singer told jurors, and what we heard from today's other witnesses as the sex trafficking trial reached the end of its second week: Kid Cudi, who briefly dated Diddy's off-and-on girlfriend Cassie, accused Diddy of breaking into his Hollywood Hills home in 2011 and then told jurors about his Porsche catching on fire in 2012 after a Molotov cocktail was thrown inside. Cassie previously testified that Diddy, in a jealous rage, threatened to blow up Kid Cudi's car. The two men met at a Los Angeles hotel after the fire. Kid Cudi recalled Diddy staring out a window with his hands behind his back like a 'Marvel supervillain.' Diddy seemed to be unaware of the fire — but years later, he offered Kid Cudi a general apology for the past, Kid Cudi testified. Diddy's legal team says he wasn't involved in any arson attack. George Kaplan, Diddy's ex-assistant, described an altercation between the rapper and Cassie on a private jet in 2015. Kaplan testified he heard glass shatter and saw Diddy standing over Cassie with a whiskey glass. He said Cassie yelled: 'Isn't anybody seeing this?' Kaplan said he once bought beauty products to cover up bruises on Cassie's face. Mylah Morales, a makeup artist who worked with Cassie (as well as Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez), testified about the aftermath of Diddy's alleged beating of Cassie after a party hosted by Prince. Morales said she didn't witness any violence but heard yelling and later saw Cassie with a swollen eye, busted lip and knots on her head. Frederic Zemmour, the general manager of the L'Ermitage Beverly Hills hotel, told jurors that a room would require deep cleaning after one of Diddy's stays. The hotel's notes on the rapper's profile said he left behind 'excessive amounts' of oil and candle wax. (Diddy's legal team elected not to cross-examine Zemmour.) ALSO: In a 37-second video posted to X this afternoon, Kid Cudi directly addressed the camera and thanked his fans for 'all the love and support' in the lead-up to his testimony. 'This is a stressful situation,' he added. 'I'm glad it's behind me.' Kid Cudi was by far today's main attraction. The celebrated rapper, wearing a black leather jacket over a white T-shirt, drew a crowd of spectators in the rain outside the courthouse. He identified himself on the stand as an 'actor and musician,' a nod to his roles in films like 'Don't Look Up' and 'X.' In general, he struck a confident tone and often spoke animatedly. Diddy, wearing a cream-colored top over khaki pants, sat back in his chair with his arms and legs crossed during parts of Kid Cudi's testimony. He seemed to be listening closely, calmly taking in the back-and-forth without displaying much emotion. Maurene Comey, one of the prosecutors, heatedly told Judge Arun Subramanian she was 'shocked' that defense lawyer Brian Steel asked Kid Cudi about his sexual activity with Cassie, calling the question out of bounds and 'outrageous.' Subramanian agreed, saying 'the line was clear and crossed.' He chastised Steel and ruled the exchange should be struck from the record. In other news: The reporters in the gallery were treated to some rare levity this morning as the attorneys debated whether Kid Cudi could testify about his dog's behavioral changes after the 2011 break-in at his home. Steel told Subramanian that prosecutors wanted the rapper to testify that his pet was traumatized. Emily Johnson, a prosecutor, argued that comments about the dog were relevant to the break-in. 'He's not going to testify to what the dog thought,' Subramanian said, drawing laughter. (Subramanian ultimately ruled that Kid Cudi could testify about the dog, but only in general terms. Johnson explained that the animal is 'no longer with us.') Kid Cudi testified today that, in 2012, his dog watcher called to alert him that his car was on fire. He testified that it appeared someone had cut open the top of his Porsche, and 'that's where the Molotov cocktail was put in,' destroying the car. This is critical evidence for the prosecution because it is evidence of arson, which is one of the 'predicate' racketeering crimes listed in the racketeering (RICO) statute. However, Diddy is charged with racketeering conspiracy, which is even easier for the government to prove. To convict a defendant of racketeering conspiracy, the government must prove only that the defendant agreed with others to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering (those predicate crimes). The government does not need to prove a conspiracy to commit those specific predicate acts, like the arson of Kid Cudi's car. In fact, the government must prove only that two racketeering acts were, or were intended to be, committed as part of the conspiracy. The government does not have to prove that the defendant himself committed any of these predicate crimes (like arson). The government doesn't even need to prove Diddy himself agreed to commit any of the predicate acts (like arson). While the government must establish that Diddy participated in some manner in the overall objective of the conspiracy, it does not need to prove that the hip-hop mogul himself tossed a Molotov cocktail into the Porsche, or even that he participated in the arson himself. No court tomorrow. The trial resumes on Tuesday, after Memorial Day. Enjoy your holiday weekend. PSA: Every night during Diddy's trial, NBC's 'Dateline' will drop special episodes of the 'True Crime Weekly' podcast to get you up to speed. 'Dateline' correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC News' Chloe Melas and special guests — right in front of the courthouse. Listen here. This article was originally published on
NBC News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Kid Cudi testifies about car fire and 'Marvel supervillain' meeting at Diddy's trial
This is a free article for Diddy on Trial newsletter subscribers. Sign up to get exclusive reporting and analysis throughout Sean Combs' federal trial. Grammy-winning rapper Scott Mescudi — better known by his stage name, Kid Cudi — took the witness stand today as prosecutors continued sketching their portrait of Diddy's violent and chaotic world. Here's what the 'Pursuit of Happiness' singer told jurors, and what we heard from today's other witnesses as the sex trafficking trial reached the end of its second week: Kid Cudi, who briefly dated Diddy's off-and-on girlfriend Cassie, accused Diddy of breaking into his Hollywood Hills home in 2011 and then told jurors about his Porsche catching on fire in 2012 after a Molotov cocktail was thrown inside. Cassie previously testified that Diddy, in a jealous rage, threatened to blow up Kid Cudi's car. The two men met at a Los Angeles hotel after the fire. Kid Cudi recalled Diddy staring out a window with his hands behind his back like a 'Marvel supervillain.' Diddy seemed to be unaware of the fire — but years later, he offered Kid Cudi a general apology for the past, Kid Cudi testified. Diddy's legal team says he wasn't involved in any arson attack. George Kaplan, Diddy's ex-assistant, described an altercation between the rapper and Cassie on a private jet in 2015. Kaplan testified he heard glass shatter and saw Diddy standing over Cassie with a whiskey glass. He said Cassie yelled: 'Isn't anybody seeing this?' Kaplan said he once bought beauty products to cover up bruises on Cassie's face. Mylah Morales, a makeup artist who worked with Cassie (as well as Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez), testified about the aftermath of Diddy's alleged beating of Cassie after a party hosted by Prince. Morales said she didn't witness any violence but heard yelling and later saw Cassie with a swollen eye, busted lip and knots on her head. Frederic Zemmour, the general manager of the L'Ermitage Beverly Hills hotel, told jurors that a room would require deep cleaning after one of Diddy's stays. The hotel's notes on the rapper's profile said he left behind 'excessive amounts' of oil and candle wax. (Diddy's legal team elected not to cross-examine Zemmour.) ALSO: In a 37-second video posted to X this afternoon, Kid Cudi directly addressed the camera and thanked his fans for 'all the love and support' in the lead-up to his testimony. 'This is a stressful situation,' he added. 'I'm glad it's behind me.' The view from inside By Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas and Katherine Koretski Kid Cudi was by far today's main attraction. The celebrated rapper, wearing a black leather jacket over a white T-shirt, drew a crowd of spectators in the rain outside the courthouse. He identified himself on the stand as an 'actor and musician,' a nod to his roles in films like 'Don't Look Up' and 'X.' In general, he struck a confident tone and often spoke animatedly. Diddy, wearing a cream-colored top over khaki pants, sat back in his chair with his arms and legs crossed during parts of Kid Cudi's testimony. He seemed to be listening closely, calmly taking in the back-and-forth without displaying much emotion. Maurene Comey, one of the prosecutors, heatedly told Judge Arun Subramanian she was 'shocked' that defense lawyer Brian Steel asked Kid Cudi about his sexual activity with Cassie, calling the question out of bounds and 'outrageous.' Subramanian agreed, saying 'the line was clear and crossed.' He chastised Steel and ruled the exchange should be struck from the record. In other news: The reporters in the gallery were treated to some rare levity this morning as the attorneys debated whether Kid Cudi could testify about his dog's behavioral changes after the 2011 break-in at his home. Steel told Subramanian that prosecutors wanted the rapper to testify that his pet was traumatized. Emily Johnson, a prosecutor, argued that comments about the dog were relevant to the break-in. 'He's not going to testify to what the dog thought,' Subramanian said, drawing laughter. (Subramanian ultimately ruled that Kid Cudi could testify about the dog, but only in general terms. Johnson explained that the animal is 'no longer with us.') Analysis: Why the Molotov cocktail story matters By Danny Cevallos Kid Cudi testified today that, in 2012, his dog watcher called to alert him that his car was on fire. He testified that it appeared someone had cut open the top of his Porsche, and 'that's where the Molotov cocktail was put in,' destroying the car. This is critical evidence for the prosecution because it is evidence of arson, which is one of the 'predicate' racketeering crimes listed in the racketeering (RICO) statute. However, Diddy is charged with racketeering conspiracy, which is even easier for the government to prove. To convict a defendant of racketeering conspiracy, the government must prove only that the defendant agreed with others to conduct the affairs of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering (those predicate crimes). The government does not need to prove a conspiracy to commit those specific predicate acts, like the arson of Kid Cudi's car. In fact, the government must prove only that two racketeering acts were, or were intended to be, committed as part of the conspiracy. The government does not have to prove that the defendant himself committed any of these predicate crimes (like arson). The government doesn't even need to prove Diddy himself agreed to commit any of the predicate acts (like arson). While the government must establish that Diddy participated in some manner in the overall objective of the conspiracy, it does not need to prove that the hip-hop mogul himself tossed a Molotov cocktail into the Porsche, or even that he participated in the arson himself. What's next No court tomorrow. The trial resumes on Tuesday, after Memorial Day. Enjoy your holiday weekend. PSA: Every night during Diddy's trial, NBC's 'Dateline' will drop special episodes of the 'True Crime Weekly' podcast to get you up to speed. 'Dateline' correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC News' Chloe Melas and special guests — right in front of the courthouse. Listen here.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kid Cudi Details Call With Sean 'Diddy' Combs During Alleged Break-In
Originally appeared on E! Online is recounting his interactions with . As the 'Pursuit of Happiness' rapper (real name Scott Mescudi) took the stand in the rap mogul's federal sex trafficking trial May 22, he alleged that Combs broke into his house when he found out about his and 's brief romance—which began in 2011. And when he called Combs to confront him, he detailed the chilling conversation that followed. "He said, 'What's up?,'" Mescudi testified, per NBC News, 'and I said, 'Motherf--ker, are you in my house?' He said, 'I am here waiting for you.'" Adding that Combs—who has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution—seemed 'calm' when he picked up the phone, the 41-year-old alleged that he called the police while on his way to the house because 'I don't know what his intentions are.' More from E! Online OnlyFans' Annie Knight Shares Update From Hospital After Sex With 583 Men in 6 Hours Teen Mom's Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Balteirra Receive Moving Update on Daughter Carly OnlyFans' Annie Knight Reveals Fiancé's Reaction to Her Having Sex With 583 Men in a Day But upon arrival, Mescudi alleged that only the police were there. However, he said that security cameras on the side of his house had been moved out of the way, his dog was 'locked up in the bathroom,' and 'some gifts were opened up on the counter.' Combs has not publicly addressed the alleged break-in. As for why Mescudi was called as a witness in Combs' trial in the first place? While testifying in the trial over four days, Ventura—who dated Combs off and on for 10 years before their 2018 split—previously alleged that she broke up with Mescudi after the Bad Boy Records founder threatened the both of them. '[There was] too much uncertainty if we continued to see each other,' Ventura said during her May 14 testimony, per NBC News. 'Sean said he was going to hurt the both of us.' Ventura—who did not disclose the nature of her relationship with Combs at the time—also went on to allege that Combs became 'irate' when he found out about her relationship with Mescudi as well as physically violent. 'I just remember him putting a wine opener between his fingers," she alleged, "and lunging at me." In addition to his alleged physical violence, Ventura testified that Combs threatened to release videos of her participating in his alleged 'freak off' parties if she continued seeing Mescudi. And beyond that, she alleged that he went as far as telling her that 'Scott's car would be blown up' in early 2012. Back in 2023, the 'Mr. Rager' artist told The New York Times that his car did blow up in his driveway around that same time. For more details on Combs' trial, keep reading. (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) Kid Cudi Describes Sean 'Diddy' Combs Behaving Like a 'Marvel Super Villain' During Conversation About Cassie VenturaKid Cudi Said Sean 'Diddy' Combs Asked If They Were 'Cool' After Their ConversationKid Cudi Recounts House Being Broken Into and Car Catching On Fire After Sean 'Diddy' Combs Learned About His Relationship With Cassie VenturaSean 'Diddy' Combs Speaks Out in CourtCassie Ventura's Mom Says She Paid Sean 'Diddy' Combs $20,000 After He Threatened to Release Sex TapesSean 'Diddy' Combs Carried Pills With Barack Obama's Face, According to Former AssistantSean 'Diddy' Combs Always Carried Pills to 'Increase Sperm Count,' Former Assistant TestifiesHotel Room Was Stocked with Baby Oil, Pink Ketamine and $9,000 Cash When Sean 'Diddy' Combs Was ArrestedFormer Cassie Ventura Friend Says She Was Attacked by Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Accepted $30,000 to Remain SilentDawn Richard Testifies She Saw Sean "Diddy" Combs Try to Hit Cassie Ventura With a SkilletCassie Ventura Shoots Down Accusation of Drugs in the 'Freak Off' Baby OilCassie Ventura Details Sean 'Diddy' Combs Drug UseJudge Calls For Recess Amid Cassie Ventura's Testimony at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' TrialCassie Ventura Says That She Participated in 'Hundreds' of 'Freak Offs' with Sean 'Diddy' CombsCassie Ventura Says She Settled 2023 Lawsuit Against Sean 'Diddy' Combs for $20 MillionCassie Ventura Alleges Sean 'Diddy' Combs Raped Her in 2018 When She Was Already With Future Husband Alex FineCassie Ventura Says She Broke Up With Kid Cudi After Sean 'Diddy' Combs ThreatCassie Ventura Says 'Freak Offs' Gave Her UTIs, Other Physical AilmentsSean "Diddy" Combs Allegedly Told Cassie Ventura That She "Couldn't" Leave Him During Hotel AttackCassie Ventura Says Sean "Diddy" Combs Attacked Her in Hotel Hallway Because She Left a "Freak Off"Cassie Ventura Says She Took Drugs to Make It Through 'Freak Offs'Cassie Ventura Describes Mess of Oil, Urine and Blood After "Freak Offs"Sean 'Diddy' Combs Wanted Baby Oil 'Glistening' During 'Freak Offs,' Says Cassie VenturaCassie Ventura Said Hiring For 'Freak Offs' Became 'a Job' For Her For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy Trial Begins as Potential Jurors Asked if They Are Familiar With Michael B. Jordan, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Mike Myers and More Celebrities
Jury selection for Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial began Monday morning in New York as a media circus surrounded the courthouse in Lower Manhattan. One hundred and fifty potential jurors were asked to fill out a questionnaire that gauged their knowledge of Combs, their views on law enforcement, whether they have experienced a sexual assault and more. They were also given a list of at least 190 celebrities and public figures and asked to indicate which names they recognized. More from Variety Sean 'Diddy' Combs Rejected Plea Deal in Federal Sex Trafficking Case, Prosecutors Disclose Sean 'Diddy' Combs' 'Rise and Fall' to Be Examined in BBC Documentary Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Attorneys File Motion to Exclude Cassie Ventura Assault Video From Federal Trial Among the names on that list are Michael B. Jordan, Kanye West, Mike Myers and Kid Cudi. It's unclear how the names on the list relate to the Combs trial, if at all. Combs is known to have hosted big Hollywood parties and was well-connected among celebrities. Prosecutors believe that Kid Cudi, for one, is the victim of a car bombing committed by Combs in 2011. During that time, the 'Pursuit of Happiness' rapper was romantically involved with Combs' longtime ex-girlfriend, Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, the star witness of the federal trial. Other names listed include Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams, actor Lauren London, singer Dawn Richard, singer-producer Dallas Austin and many of Combs' family members. A surprising number of potential jurors indicated that they were not familiar with any of the names. The jurors were given the option to discuss sensitive or personal questions in a private sidebar with just the judge, court reporter and two attorneys from each party. Combs is facing five counts, including one for racketeering, two for sex trafficking and two for transportation to engage in prostitution. If he is convicted on any or all counts, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison. Since 2023, the music mogul has been hit with more than 70 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct ranging from rape to sex trafficking. Those lawsuits are separate from the federal trial, which will likely feature testimony from high-profile figures such as Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura and other alleged victims whose names have yet to be revealed. Federal prosecutors say they have interviewed more than 50 witnesses and recovered evidence from over 100 laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices that paint Combs as a serial abuser who led a vast criminal network held together by assistants, security guards and other employees who kept quiet for years. The charges in the indictment stem from alleged crimes that span from 2004 to 2024. Combs has denied all allegations and has insisted that all sexual activities were consensual. Best of Variety Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025
