The fourth week of testimony in the sex-trafficking trial of Sean Diddy Combs concluded with harrowing accounts from one of the rap mogul's ex-girlfriends. Using the pseudonym Jane, the woman recounted her experiences in which she was allegedly forced to engage in prolonged sexual encounters with male prostitutes as recently as August 2024. Her emotional testimony, delivered through tears, outlined a troubling narrative of coercion, drugs, and manipulation during their three-year relationship.
Jane testified that Combs provided her with drugs and forced her to participate in what were termed "freak-offs" or "hotel nights." These encounters lasted for days, culminating only when federal agents arrested Combs in September 2024 on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and prostitution. Jane described how she felt pressured to please Combs, who would watch her engage with other men while he alternated with the male escorts. She expressed that she relied on drugs to endure the degrading experiences, stating, "I just know how to just tune out and get in a zone."
Prosecutors allege that Combs exploited his wealth and influence to coerce multiple women into unwanted sexual encounters, using threats and violence to maintain their silence and protect his reputation as a powerful figure in the music industry. Combs has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, which could lead to a life sentence if convicted. His defense team argues that any sexual interactions with the women were consensual, and that his behavior does not constitute sex trafficking or racketeering.
Jane's testimony echoed the allegations made by another ex-girlfriend, musician Cassie Ventura, who also described relationships filled with drugs, male prostitutes, and extended sexual encounters. Both women recounted feeling trapped in a cycle of sexual sessions, stating they were often required to book male escorts and were pressured to continue participating even after expressing reluctance. Ventura poignantly stated, "I just didn't feel like I had much of a choice," illustrating the emotional turmoil they endured.
Jane testified that Combs threatened to withdraw financial support if she refused to partake in the hotel nights, revealing that even while incarcerated in a federal jail in Brooklyn, Combs continued to pay her rent. She described her relationship with Combs as heartbreaking, noting the frequency of the freak-offs and the physical toll they took on her, which included recurring urinary tract infections. Her attempts to ask the male escorts to use condoms reportedly angered Combs.
During the trial, prosecutors presented numerous text messages and notes from Jane that highlighted her frustration with Combs and her repeated requests to stop the hotel nights, potentially supporting their argument that the encounters were not fully consensual. "I realized that since 2021, I had been saying the same thing over and over again," Jane told jurors, reflecting her struggle to communicate her discomfort.
Jurors were shown a recording from one of Jane and Combs' hotel nights, in which Combs can be heard giving directions. When Jane and a male sex worker discussed finding a condom, Combs objected, insisting, "You're taking that d—." Jane testified that Combs typically insisted that the male prostitutes not wear condoms during their encounters, expressing her fear of disappointing him.
Throughout her testimony, Jane revealed that she relied on drugs, such as ecstasy, provided by Combs to cope with the marathon hotel nights, which could stretch for as long as three days. She also needed sleeping pills to recover afterward. "I didn't want it to feel like it was too real," she shared, illustrating the emotional and physical toll of her experiences.
Jane provided jurors with insights into the logistical support Combs had in place for these marathon sex sessions. She described how Combs' assistants set up hotel rooms, supplied cash for male prostitutes, and delivered the drugs he desired. Jane recounted instances where she transported drugs from Los Angeles to Miami, following instructions from Combs' chief of staff, Kristina Khorram.
This deeply unsettling testimony highlights the troubling realities of sex trafficking and the manipulation that often accompanies it. As the trial progresses, the emotional weight of these stories continues to resonate, revealing the enduring impact of abuse and coercion in intimate relationships.
