Latest news with #SurvivingR.Kelly
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy's Former Assistant Recalls Dream She Had About Diddy And R. Kelly While On The Stand
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' former assistant, testifying under the name 'Mia,' concluded her testimony in his ongoing federal sex trafficking trial on Monday (June 2) after delivering emotional and, at times, contradictory revelations. As she was cross-examined for the third day, Mia revealed how she once viewed the music mogul not only as her employer — but as her 'protector,' even once dreaming of him saving her from fellow disgraced star, R. Kelly. According to Mia, the dream came in early 2019, just weeks after the death of Combs' ex-girlfriend, Kim Porter, and days after the harrowing Surviving R. Kelly docuseries aired. In a text to Combs at the time, Mia shared the details of the nightmare, where she was trapped in an elevator with R. Kelly — until Diddy came to her rescue. The moment added to the complicated relationship Mia says she had with the 55-year-old, which she now describes as manipulation, trauma, and abuse. Mia has accused Diddy of multiple instances of sexual assault and physical violence during her time working for him. Yet even after she left his employment, she admitted on the stand that she continued to stay in touch — especially during vulnerable times. When asked why she would maintain a relationship with someone she claims caused her such pain and suffering, Mia said she was 'brainwashed.' She added, 'Nobody acted like what was happening to me was wrong.' She, however, admitted to internalizing shame and blame, particularly after the Bad Boy founder allegedly threatened to expose their sexual relationship to his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura. During the trial, defense attorney Brian Steel pointed to messages and moments between Diddy and Mia that painted a far more cordial, and perhaps affectionate, relationship between them. His cross-examination aimed to cast doubt on Mia's testimony by highlighting the contradictory continued connection she had with Diddy during and after her employment. Despite some calling her testimony bluff, Mia maintained her stance that she felt trapped in a series of emotional 'highs and lows.' According to her, that cycle made it difficult to see the relationship for what it truly was until much later. Diddy is facing serious federal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting individuals for the purpose of prostitution. If convicted, the 55-year-old music mogul could spend the rest of his life in prison. More from Could Diddy Have Played James Brown In 'Get On Up' Biopic Over Chadwick Boseman? Ray J Accuses "C*nt" Suge Knight Of Sexually Assaulting Men Behind Bars Bill Maher Talks Cassie's "Enthusiastic Consent" To Freak Offs, Staying With Diddy For Career
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy's Assistant Had a Nightmare She Was Trapped in an Elevator with R. Kelly — and Diddy Saved Her
Diddy's defense attorneys pressed his former employee over positive social media posts she made about him Diddy is on trial on charges of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering The jury has so far heard from investigators, Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and several of his former employeesSean "Diddy" Combs' former assistant told a Manhattan jury that she used to look at him as her "protector" — and once had a dream he was saving her from disgraced R&B star R. Kelly. The witness, who is testifying under the pseudonym "Mia," was in court for the third day on Monday, June 2, as Combs' high-profile trial entered its third week. Mia's testimony, which began the previous Thursday, has included allegations that Combs sexually assaulted her multiple times during her tenure with him, and that he physically and verbally abused her during her employment. On Monday, Mia said during cross-examination that even after she stopped working for Combs, she remained in touch with him, especially following the 2018 death of his former girlfriend Kim Porter, with whom Combs shared three children. In mid-January 2019, a few weeks after Porter's passing, Mia wrote to Combs in a text exchange that she had a nightmare where she was stuck in an elevator with R. Kelly — and was saved by Combs. The bombshell docuseries Surviving R. Kelly, which followed years of sexual abuse allegations against the rapper, had just been released a few days prior. On the witness stand on Monday, Mia went on to say she considered Combs her "protector" at times. The 'protector' comment came when defense attorney Brian Steel questioned Mia about why she would reach out to someone she claimed had traumatized her. Mia said it was because she was "brainwashed," explaining that when she worked for Combs, no one acted like anything that was happening to her was wrong. This, she said, caused her to internalize how she was being treated, to blame herself and to feel shame. Steel's line of questioning reflected the defense's broader strategy: challenging Mia over her public — and at times private — expressions of care for Combs during the same period she alleges he was abusing her. Mia testified, several times, that she was stuck in a cycle of "highs" and "lows" during her employment with Combs, which she alleges created a confusing cycle of abuse in the workplace. Combs is on trial on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to . Read the original article on People
Buzz Feed
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Lady Gaga Addressed Her 2013 Duet With R. Kelly On 'Saturday Night Live' In Her Opening Monologue
This post contains mentions of sexual abuse. Lady Gaga returned to Saturday Night Live over the weekend, marking her fifth appearance as a musical guest and her second time as a host. And while her musical performances have been going incredibly viral, her opening monologue is gaining a ton of attention, too. As well as poking fun at the negative reception to Joker 2, Gaga also acknowledged that the last time she hosted SNL was in 2013, when she was just 27 years old. Notably, the singer directly addressed the fact that she performed on that episode alongside the now-imprisoned R. Kelly, who featured on her ARTPOP album. Joking that 'every aspect of [her] performance aged amazingly," she said: 'So there's no need to Google SNL 2013, Lady Gaga featuring R. Kelly. I won't bring it up because that would be bad.' R. Kelly was convicted back in 2022 for racketeering and sexual abuse of minors and is currently serving a 30-year sentence in New York. He received another 20-year sentence in 2023 in Chicago after being convicted of producing child sexual abuse images. Since their collaboration on the song "Do What U Want" in 2013, Gaga has publicly condemned R. Kelly's actions. 'I stand behind these women 1000%,' she said in 2019 after the documentary Surviving R. Kelly was released. The version of "Do What U Want" featuring the disgraced singer was subsequently removed from all streaming platforms. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE, which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center here.
Express Tribune
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
R Kelly looks barely recognizable in new prison photos
Singer R. Kelly's alleged recent photos from prison are currently circulating online. The 58-year-old artist, who is serving a 30-year prison sentence following his conviction in September 2021 for sex trafficking, was shown in the images shared by No Jumper on X, formerly Twitter. New prison photos of R. Kelly have surfaced online. — No Jumper (@nojumper) February 22, 2025 In the photos, Kelly wore a long-sleeved white shirt with a green top, blue jeans, and sneakers. While some users speculated the images were recent, there has been no official confirmation of when they were taken. R. Kelly, born Robert Sylvester Kelly, was convicted after a 2019 documentary, 'Surviving R. Kelly', brought forward testimonies from his accusers. Kelly's appeal to reduce his sentence was rejected by the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals in February 2025. Kelly's legal team is considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. His lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, argued that the use of the RICO statute in his case was incorrect, stating it was meant to target organized crime, not individual actions. Kelly's charges stemmed from allegations that his associates helped him recruit and control victims, forming a criminal enterprise.
Express Tribune
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
R. Kelly loses appeal as court upholds sex trafficking conviction
R. Kelly's legal troubles deepened as a federal appeals court in Manhattan upheld his sex trafficking and racketeering conviction, rejecting his attempt to overturn the 30-year prison sentence. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Wednesday (February 12, 2025) that overwhelming evidence supported the conviction, reaffirming that Kelly used his celebrity status to manipulate and exploit young women and underage girls over two decades. Judge Denny Chin, speaking for the three-judge panel, stated that prosecutors presented extensive proof of how Kelly controlled his victims through verbal and physical abuse, blackmail, and humiliation. Kelly's defense, led by attorney Jennifer Bonjean, argued that the government misused the RICO statute, a law originally designed to combat organized crime syndicates, not individual misconduct. Bonjean claimed the ruling gave prosecutors 'limitless discretion' to apply the law in ways far removed from its original intent. Despite this legal defeat, Kelly's defense team has indicated plans to take the case to a higher court, continuing their fight to challenge the conviction. Once a dominant figure in R&B music, Kelly's fall from grace accelerated after the release of the 2019 docuseries "Surviving R. Kelly," which brought renewed attention to long-standing allegations. With his appeal denied, Kelly remains incarcerated, facing a sentence that could keep him behind bars for life.
