Singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, well-known for her past relationship with music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, is set to return to the witness stand on Wednesday morning. This follows her emotional testimony during the high-profile federal trial, which has now entered its third day. Ventura, who is currently eight and a half months pregnant, has provided gripping details regarding her tumultuous decade-long relationship with Combs, marked by allegations of physical abuse and control.
During her testimony on Tuesday, Ventura expressed the harrowing experiences she endured, including years of physical abuse and emotional manipulation. She spoke candidly about the violent nature of arguments with Combs, recounting instances where he would “mash my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me.” Her statements paint a picture of a relationship where Combs had control over nearly every aspect of her life.
In 2023, Ventura filed a lawsuit against Combs, accusing him of physical and sexual abuse. Although the two settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount, it triggered a federal investigation leading to Combs’s arrest in September 2024. He now faces serious charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty and denies all allegations against him.
Throughout her testimony, Ventura experienced emotional moments, often pausing to collect herself or shedding tears. She described the multi-day drug-fueled sexual encounters, referred to as “freak-offs,” which she claimed were orchestrated by Combs. Ventura testified that she felt compelled to participate in these activities, driven by a desire to keep Combs happy and avoid provoking his anger. “I wanted to make him happy,” she stated, revealing her feelings of obligation and fear in the relationship.
Ventura recounted that during these encounters, she was often under the influence of drugs, including MDMA and ecstasy, which Combs allegedly provided. She expressed feelings of humiliation and worthlessness after these experiences, stating, “The ‘freak-offs’ made me feel horrible.” She further illustrated the volatile nature of their relationship, saying, “Make the wrong face, and the next thing I knew, I would get hit in the face.”
In her testimony, Ventura also discussed her initial meeting with Combs in 2005 when she was just 19 years old. She described him as a “larger-than-life entrepreneur, musician” and mentioned signing a 10-album deal with Combs’s Bad Boy Records, although she only released one album during her time with the label.
As Tuesday’s court session concluded, prosecutors began to question Ventura about a crucial piece of evidence: a 2016 hotel hallway surveillance video that allegedly shows Combs kicking and dragging her. Ventura testified that she, Combs, and a male escort were involved in a “freak-off” in a hotel room when Combs struck her, prompting her to leave the room with her belongings.
Ventura is expected to continue her testimony on Wednesday, followed by cross-examination. This trial, anticipated to last at least eight weeks, is not being televised. If convicted, Combs, who has been in jail since his arrest last year, faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison.
