As her second day of testimony concluded, Cassie Ventura recounted to jurors a deeply traumatic 11-year relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs. Speaking in a Manhattan federal courtroom, Ventura, who is currently eight months pregnant, described how Combs’ alleged coercion and sexual control led her into addiction, emotional collapse, and ultimately thoughts of suicide.
She said Combs’ persistent threats, demands for sex with strangers, and manipulation made her feel trapped. “Had I not done what he asked,” she testified, “he would have hurt me or released damaging videos to ruin my reputation.”
Allegations of Blackmail and Pornographic Coercion
According to Ventura, Combs frequently recorded “freak-off” sex parties and later used the footage to control her behavior. The sessions, she said, morphed into private pornography shoots, with the material allegedly leveraged as blackmail.
“I feared for my career. I feared for my family,” Ventura told the jury. “It’s just embarrassing and disgusting. Nobody should do that to anyone.”
Prosecutors entered seven still images from the alleged videos into evidence, though they ultimately chose not to show the full recordings without stating a reason.
Accounts of Physical Violence
Ventura outlined a disturbing pattern of physical abuse. She described one of the earliest violent episodes, during which Combs allegedly struck her in the head in a car in front of staff. “I fell to the floor,” she recalled.
In another 2013 incident, she said Combs assaulted her in her apartment after finding her asleep. “I had a significant gash on my eyebrow,” she testified, showing jurors the resulting permanent scar.
When asked how many times Combs became violent, Ventura sighed and said, “Who knows?”
Assault Caught on Video
Jurors had already viewed a surveillance video of a 2016 assault at a Los Angeles hotel. Ventura testified on Wednesday that Combs pulled her to the ground, kicked her, and threw a vase at her. She said she was left bruised and had to cover the injuries for a movie premiere.
“Yo pls call me. I got six kids,” Combs texted her afterward. Ventura responded, “You are sick for thinking it’s ok to do what you’ve done.”
Relationship’s End Marked by Alleged Rape
Ventura said the relationship ended in tragedy. Seeking closure, she met with Combs at her home, where she claims he raped her on the living room floor.
“I just remember crying and saying no. It was very fast,” she told the court. “I don’t know if he noticed.”
Mental Collapse and $20 Million Settlement
Following the breakup, Ventura said she spiraled into depression, began therapy, and contemplated suicide. “I didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she said, sobbing on the stand.
In 2023, Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against Combs, which was settled the next day for $20 million without admission of guilt. She revealed that she had offered to sell him a book detailing the abuse for the same amount in hopes of prompting a response. No agreement was made.
Final Question Reveals Scale of Alleged Abuse
As direct examination ended, prosecutor Emily Johnson asked Ventura how many “freak-offs” she endured.
“It’s impossible to know,” Ventura replied. “But hundreds.”
