Cassie testifies against Diddy in court and describes what happened at ‘freak off’ parties
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing.
Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura has testified against Sean 'Diddy' Combs in court and has described what happened at his 'freak off' parties.
During the trial, which started last week (5 May), Cassie explained to the court the context behind a photo of the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.
She told the court that the image showed her and Combs pictured 'after a freak off'.
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When asked how she knew what the definition of such a term was, Ventura said that Combs proposed a sexual encounter with a third party during the first year of their relationship.
She was just 22 years old at the time and said her stomach 'churned'.
The now 38-year-old singer said that she was confused and nervous but also loved Combs, 55, and wanted to make him happy adding that it came to a point where she felt like she didn't have a choice.
Ventura went on to tell the court that she didn't remember how it came about but it involved hiring an escort with Combs watching and directing them.
She added that Combs, who was watching her intently as she spoke, was initially in charge of the hiring of the escorts but she was eventually tasked with such a role.
Ventura also told the court that Combs 'controlled' a lot of her life at that point in time - including her career.
She added that she was young and didn't have much say, and became fearful of Combs - who she described as a charming and 'polarising' person - being violent and of sexual encounters becoming public.
Ventura previously told the court that she was 19 when she signed a 10-album deal with Combs' label, Bad Boy Records, in 2006.
Combs - who Ventura said she was in a relationship with, with breaks, for 10 years - would have been about 36 at the time.
Jurors were then told that Combs kissed Ventura on her 21st birthday and, when asked if she wanted this to happen, she said she didn't at this point but later became comfortable with him.
However, she did tell the court that she was young and inexperienced, and 'did not have the vocabulary' for some of they things they talked about.
She added that she was 'curious' and wanted to be around Combs as he was 'exciting' and she felt 'special', but also admitted that she 'didn't really know what I felt'.
Ventura has been at the centre of this case after suing Combs in November 2023, alleging years of abuse.
On Monday (12 May), prosecutor Emily Johnson told the court: "For years, the defendant physically abused Cassie. He also sexually exploited her, forcing her to have sex with male escorts while he watched and recorded it."
During her testimony, Prosecutor Johnson also asked Ventura if she and Combs had arguments to which she told the court there were frequent violent arguments and that Combs would knock her over, drag her and kick her.
When asked if she was ever injured, Ventura said she suffered black eyes, red eyes and bruises 'all over my body'.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
Rhiannon Ingle