Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find help and discreet resources on the National Sexual Assault Hotline website or by calling 1-800-656-4673.
(NewsNation) — The Sean “Diddy” Combs federal sex crimes trial entered Day 3 as potential jurors are being sorted out in the Lower Manhattan court. The disgraced music mogul is accused of sex trafficking, sexual abuse and racketeering. Combs has pleaded not guilty.
Prior to his arrest, Combs lived a life of multimillion-dollar luxury surrounded by some of the most recognizable names in the entertainment industry.
The imprisoned rapper helmed Bad Boy Records, had his own fashion line, Sean John, and was a heavy hitter in the liquor industry with brands Cîroc vodka and DeLeón tequila. He also hosted the most elite stars at his annual “White Parties” in the Hamptons and Beverly Hills — parties that may have been a setting for some of the alleged criminal activities.
Considering Combs’ former stature in Hollywood, it is no surprise that notable names are being brought up in court and a part of the jury question list to see if potential jurors have connections or strong opinions about the mentioned celebs.
NewsNation’s Ashleigh Banfield noted Tuesday that several celebrities were mentioned in court.
“Those connections and Diddy’s impact are not only fading away, they are under the spotlight like never before in the last place you might expect: jury selection,” Banfield said. “Everybody is trying to connect the dots between the shiny, famous names and the beleaguered rap star Diddy.”
Celebrities that have been mentioned in the Combs federal sex crimes case, but without clear context, so far:
Ye, the former Kanye West
He released a song, “Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine,” that features Combs and his son, Christian “King” Combs, shortly after his arrest. West included a phone conversation taped with Combs supposedly in prison in the song.
Mike Myers
The tie to Combs is unknown if there is any at all. The former “Saturday Night Live” cast member made a joke about the rapper in his film “Austin Powers.”
Michelle Williams
The Destiny’s Child singer was mentioned on the first day of the trial without context.
Lauren London
The former partner of Nipsey Hussle said Combs helped her get through the funeral of the rapper.
Christian ‘King’ Combs and Justin Combs
Diddy’s son Christian is accused of sexual assault and battery that allegedly occurred in 2022 on a yacht chartered by his father in a 2024 lawsuit. He and his brother, Justin, were handcuffed during the raid on their father’s mansion that led to his arrest in September 2024.
Dallas Austin
He is a record producer who dated Combs’ ex-girlfriend and mother of some of his children, Kim Porter. She died at age 47 in 2018.
Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura
An ex-girlfriend of Combs who was also an artist for his music label, Ventura is set to testify in the trial. In March 2024, CNN obtained video footage from the InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles from March 2016 that allegedly showed Combs chasing down and violently assaulting Ventura. Ventura received a monetary settlement from Combs in 2023 after she claimed he had allegedly abused her. He apologized for his actions, which were caught on camera, after the footage went public.
Kid Cudi
The rapper had a romantic interest in Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, and allegedly, Combs threatened to blow up his car. In February 2012, Cudi’s car blew up in his driveway, according to Ventura’s lawsuit.
Michael B. Jordan
The actor once dated Ventura, which was referenced in her lawsuit.
Aubrey O’Day
A former member of Danity Kane has been outspoken about the ex-label executive, calling him a “soulless man” and saying the working conditions for the girl group were toxic. O’Day once said Combs’ alleged “mistreatment was enough to have changed the course and direction of my entire life.”
Dawn Richard
Another former member of Combs’ pop group, Danity Kane, is suing him in a civil case for sexual abuse, inhuman working conditions and says she witnessed him allegedly abuse Cassie.
Lisa Bloom, who represents Richard, told Banfield that these celebrity names could be mentioned but not necessarily take the stand.
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Author: Diana Falzone
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