In a Manhattan courtroom, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, the R&B singer known for her 2006 hit “Me & U,” delivered a poignant testimony that brought the weight of her decade-long relationship with music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs into sharp focus. Now 38 and visibly pregnant, Ventura took the stand on May 13, 2025, as a central witness in Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial, her voice carrying the pain of alleged abuse that has reverberated across the music industry. Her appearance marked a pivotal moment in a case that has drawn intense public scrutiny, laying bare accusations of violence, coercion, and exploitation against one of hip-hop’s most influential figures.
Ventura’s testimony stems from a relationship that began in 2005, when she was a 19-year-old aspiring artist signed to Combs’ Bad Boy Records. She described a dynamic where Combs, then 37, allegedly exerted near-total control over her personal and professional life. According to her account, this control escalated into physical abuse, forced sexual encounters, and a pattern of manipulation that left lasting emotional scars. Ventura recounted incidents where Combs allegedly coerced her into participating in drug-fueled sexual events, which he called “freak offs,” involving male escorts. She also detailed a 2016 assault captured on hotel surveillance footage, where Combs is seen kicking and dragging her in a Los Angeles hallway—an incident he later apologized for publicly, admitting his behavior was “inexcusable.”
The trial, unfolding at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse, has gripped observers with its stark portrayal of power dynamics in the entertainment world. Prosecutors allege that Combs ran a criminal enterprise from at least 2004 to 2024, using his wealth and influence to orchestrate a network of abuse, bribery, and coercion. Ventura is one of four women whose allegations form the backbone of the case, though the others are expected to testify under pseudonyms. The government has introduced evidence, including text messages and videos, to support claims that Combs manipulated victims with promises of career advancement while using threats and blackmail to ensure compliance.
On the stand-less than a month from giving birth, Ventura’s testimony was both measured and raw, reflecting the courage it took to confront her former partner. Her decision to testify under her real name, rather than a pseudonym, underscores her resolve to reclaim her narrative. The courtroom was packed, with spectators lining up overnight to witness the proceedings, a testament to the case’s cultural significance. Ventura’s husband, Alex Fine, was present for parts of her testimony, though the defense sought to bar him, citing a potentially threatening text he sent Combs in 2023.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. His legal team argues that Ventura and other accusers were willing participants in consensual relationships, emphasizing that Combs’ lifestyle, while unconventional, was not criminal. They have portrayed Ventura as someone who sought fame and financial gain, pointing to her attendance at the 2018 funeral of Combs’ former partner Kim Porter as evidence of a complex but voluntary bond. The defense also contends that Ventura’s allegations are exaggerated, with one attorney questioning whether a male escort’s account of witnessing Combs strike her was embellished.
The trial, expected to last eight to ten weeks, has already heard from other witnesses, including a male escort who claimed he was paid to engage in sexual acts with Ventura while Combs watched, and a Los Angeles police officer who testified about Combs’ alleged attempt to bribe him to suppress the 2016 hotel footage. These accounts paint a troubling picture of a man who, prosecutors say, saw himself as untouchable, surrounded by an inner circle that enabled his actions.
Ventura’s 2023 civil lawsuit against Combs, settled out of court within a day, was a catalyst for the current case, sparking a wave of over 70 similar lawsuits against him. That filing, made possible by New York’s Adult Survivors Act, detailed years of alleged abuse, including a 2018 rape. The rapid settlement did little to quell the fallout, as federal authorities raided Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami in March 2024, uncovering evidence that led to his September arrest.
As the trial progresses, Ventura’s testimony stands as a powerful reckoning, not just for Combs but for an industry grappling with its history of unchecked power. Her words, delivered with quiet strength, resonate beyond the courtroom, amplifying the voices of others who have come forward. For many, this case is a litmus test for accountability, with Ventura’s bravery at its heart.
