Casandra Ventura, known professionally as Cassie and the former long-term girlfriend of music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, delivered emotional and graphic testimony in a New York courtroom this week, accusing Combs of subjecting her to years of physical abuse and coercing her into sex with male prostitutes.
Ventura, now 38 and pregnant, described her 11-year relationship with Combs as one marked by escalating control and violence.
She told jurors that Combs dominated nearly every aspect of her life, from her career and finances to her personal appearance and relationships. “Sean controlled a lot of my life, whether it was career, the way I dressed, everything, everything. I just didn’t have much say in it at the time,” Ventura testified.
She recounted frequent incidents of physical abuse, including being struck in the head, kicked, dragged, and stomped on, often resulting in visible injuries such as swollen lips and black eyes. Ventura said these violent episodes left her feeling “worthless” and “humiliated”.
A significant portion of Ventura’s testimony focused on what she described as “freak-offs”-elaborate, multi-day sexual encounters with male escorts or strippers, orchestrated and observed by Combs.
Ventura stated that she initially participated to please Combs but soon felt degraded and powerless to refuse, fearing violence or blackmail if she resisted. She described using drugs such as ecstasy and ketamine to cope with the emotional toll of these experiences.
Jurors also heard from Daniel Phillip, a former male dancer, who corroborated Ventura’s account by describing his own involvement in these encounters and witnessing Combs physically assault Ventura.
Prosecutors allege that Combs used his celebrity status and a network of loyal staff to facilitate a pattern of sexual violence and intimidation against women, with Ventura as a central victim.
The defence has denied all charges, portraying Combs as a consensual “swinger” and questioning the credibility of witnesses.
The trial includes charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and facilitating prostitution. Ventura’s testimony is expected to continue, with further cross-examination anticipated from Combs’ legal team.
Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, sat expressionless throughout Ventura’s testimony, surrounded by family and supporters in the courtroom. The proceedings are ongoing, and the court is expected to hear more testimony from other alleged victims and witnesses.
