Britney Spears, Michael B. Jordan, Rihanna: All the celebs mentioned during the Diddy trial
Much of Sean "Diddy" Combs' showbiz glory includes lavish White Parties in the Hamptons and star turns on the Met Gala red carpet. But in November 2023, the gilded walls of Combs' music kingdom came crashing down.
That month, Combs' ex-girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine filed a lawsuit against him that opened the floodgates for various abuse allegations and kicked off a two-year legal saga for the former mogul.
Then, in September, he was arrested by federal authorities at a Manhattan hotel. He has pleaded not guilty to his five charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Eight months later, Ventura Fine is now the star witness in Combs' federal sex-crimes trial. Combs — who once claimed to be a billionaire — now spends his days in a Brooklyn prison, not his bi-coastal mansions. Gone is the glitz and glamour.
With Combs' trial underway, here is a look at all the Hollywood A-listers who have been name-dropped so far.
Cassie's friend Bana Bongolan name drops Rihanna, Beyoncé
During June 4 testimony, Bryana "Bana" Bongolan, a designer and friend of Cassie Ventura Fine, said she and the singer mostly spent time together at the singer's apartment, where they would work on clothing designs, talk and use drugs.
She said there were periods when she and Ventura Fine would try to get sober. "We wanted to do better," Bongolan said. But those periods didn't last. "It's hard to get sober when there's a lot of drugs around," she said on the stand. Drugs that she alleged Combs provided.
On cross-examination, one of Combs' lawyers asked whether a clothing line Bongolan and Ventura Fine collaborated on failed because they were using drugs at the time. But the witness shot back they they were competing against fashion lines from fellow singers Rihanna and Beyoncé, and they weren't as famous.
Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie was prosecutors' star witness
During her trial testimony, Ventura Fine brought forward new details about the abuse she allegedly faced in her decadelong relationship with Combs.
The "Me & U" singer testified for four days the week of May 12 and laid bare the raw details of their complicated dynamic, including her alleged participation in drug-fueled sexual performances labeled "freak offs," physical and emotional abuse she said she faced early on in their relationship, and violence she reportedly witnessed while in Combs' orbit.
Her testimony also included an in-depth look at Combs' infamous assault of her at the now-closed InterContinental luxury hotel in Los Angeles, an alleged 2018 rape and her fear of leaving the Bad Boy Records founder due to potential retribution.
Cassie shared a makeup artist with Rihanna
Ventura Fine's friend and former makeup artist, Mylah Morales, took the stand in Combs' trial on May 22 to reflect on Cassie's turbulent relationship with Combs. Morales previously worked for pop star Rihanna for 13 years and during that time had other celebrity clients such as Cassie, Jennifer Lopez and even Diddy himself.
During cross-examination, Morales was shown photographs from magazines and video shoots where she had done Ventura Fine's makeup, including stills of Cassie and Wiz Khalifa in the "Black and Yellow" music video, as well as a photo of Cassie, Rihanna and Ryan Leslie attending an awards show. Morales said Ventura Fine's look was "important to her.”
Kid Cudi testified about Diddy allegedly breaking in, blowing up his Porsche
Kid Cudi took the stand in Combs' trial on May 22 to discuss his one-time fling with their shared ex-girlfriend Ventura Fine. Cudi, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi, was previously mentioned in Cassie's November 2023 lawsuit against Combs.
Ventura Fine previously testified that Combs allegedly blew up Cudi's car during her short-lived relationship with the "Pursuit of Happiness" hitmaker after Combs found out about the pairing. The "Me & U" singer's testimony mirrored details from her 2023 suit, which first featured the bombshell accusation.
Ventura Fine said Combs' violence toward her extended to others, including Cudi, whom she briefly dated in 2011 during a break in her relationship with Combs after they had musically collaborated.
Cudi echoed Cassie's allegation about his damaged vehicle during court testimony and leveled additional claims that Combs broke into his home and locked his dog in a bathroom. The rapper also confirmed that Ventura Fine had told him about Combs' alleged physical abuse, "that he would hit her, sometimes kick her."
After finding out about the Cudi relationship during a "freak off" sex session, Cassie testified that Combs attacked her. Later, she told the court that she and Cudi split because she wanted to protect the rapper.
Danity Kane member Dawn Richard claimed to have witnessed Diddy abusing Cassie
After Ventura Fine's testimony ended May 16, former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard took the stand.
Richard, discovered by Combs, was a prominent collaborator of the music mogul for a decade, including stints in the Bad Boy Records girl group and later the short-lived trio Diddy – Dirty Money.
Her September lawsuit claimed Combs subjected her to physical and sexual abuse throughout their professional relationship. Combs' lawyers at the time said Richard was trying to "rewrite history."
Richard testified that she witnessed Combs attack Ventura Fine, discussed a suspected assault of Combs' longtime girlfriend Kimberly "Kim" Porter and claimed Combs threatened her and fellow Dirty Money member Kalenna Harper with statements like, "You want to die today," and "I end people."
Is Usher testifying at Diddy trial?
So far, neither prosecutors nor the defense have announced plans to call on R&B singer-songwriter Usher as a witness in Combs' trial.
However, Usher's name was brought up during Dawn Richard's cross-examination on May 19. Richard told the court about a dinner around 2009 where she allegedly saw Combs punch Ventura Fine. She said Usher was one of the music stars in attendance.
Usher and Combs have previously linked up in the studio. The two have collaborated on the songs "I Don't Know," "Better on the Other Side" and "Looking for Love."
What is music executive Jimmy Iovine's connection to Diddy?
Jimmy Iovine, co-founder of Interscope Records, has not appeared at Combs' trial, but the music executive has been referenced in court testimony.
During Diddy — Dirty Money alum Dawn Richard's cross-examination on May 19, Richard said Iovine was present at a dinner party around 2009, during which Combs allegedly punched Ventura Fine. Interscope Records co-distributed Diddy — Dirty Money's 2010 album "Last Train to Paris" alongside Bad Boy Records.
During her May 27 testimony, Capricorn Clark – a personal assistant who worked in various other roles for Combs and his businesses from 2004 to 2012, then again in 2016 – mentioned Iovine.
As told the court that as she sought a new job, Combs tried to blackball her. She alleged that she met with Iovine for what she thought was a job opportunity, but the co-founder of Interscope Records and Beats Electronics, among others, gave her a warning on Combs' behalf.
"They were there to tell me to leave Puff alone and that this wasn’t going to end well for me," Clark said.
Britney Spears, Dallas Austin attended Cassie's birthday party
In court, Ventura Fine detailed the A-list attendees at her 21st birthday party, which included pop princess Britney Spears and hit producer Dallas Austin.
Ventura Fine told the court that the "Toxic" hitmaker wasn't there because of her: "That was all him. I didn't know them." The real reason why Austin's name was on the questionnaire given to potential jurors is unknown, but he previously dated Combs' ex Porter, who died of pneumonia in 2018.
Cassie once linked to 'Sinners' star Michael B. Jordan
During her May 15 testimony, Ventura Fine touched on a connection to actor Michael B. Jordan as Combs' attorneys scrutinized her relationships with other men.
Ventura Fine said Combs suspected that she was in a relationship with the Emmy-nominated actor after the pair broke up in 2015, per Fox News. At the time of their split, the singer-actress was filming a movie in South Africa. (Cassie starred in the musical drama "Honey 3: Dare to Dance," which was set in South Africa and reportedly concluded filming in December 2015.)
When asked about Combs' reaction to an alleged relationship with Jordan, Ventura Fine said she "wasn't there to see it," according to NBC News, but added that Combs attempted to get in contact with her.
Ventura Fine's former friend, Kerry Morgan, on May 19 confirmed Cassie "had started talking to Michael B. Jordan before she went to South Africa."
"She was speaking to Michael B. Jordan," Morgan said. "They were not together, and (Combs) was jealous ... She was trying to leave (Combs)."
Then on May 29, Ventura Fine's friend and former stylist, Deonte Nash, told the court: "Yes, I did hook her up with Michael B. Jordan." Nash clarified that Cassie was "somewhat" pursuing dating Jordan. They were "dating, talking and getting to know each other."
Did Cassie Ventura cheat on Diddy with Chris Brown?
An alleged incident between Ventura Fine and R&B singer-songwriter Chris Brown was referenced during Combs' trial on May 16 after the rapper's lawyer Anna Estevao asked Cassie about two instances where Combs suspected she was cheating on him.
"He found out you were dancing with another person in the entertainment industry? Do you remember the incident where he suspected you of dancing with Chris Brown?" Estevao asked of an alleged 2013 incident. Ventura Fine said she did not remember the instance, but she "was not dancing" with the singer.
Brown and Combs have collaborated on numerous occasions, including the Diddy — Dirty Money tracks "Yesterday" and "I Know."
Jurors asked about Mike Myers, Lauren London, Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child
Potential jurors in the Combs trial were asked about Ventura Fine's longtime close friend and actress Lauren London, who has been vocal about Combs' support of her in the wake of the 2019 shooting death of her late partner, rapper Nipsey Hussle.
Ventura Fine and London frequently comment on one another's Instagram posts. London commented "Love you guys" with blue heart emojis on Ventura Fine's February pregnancy announcement.
Potential jurors were also asked about Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams and "Austin Powers" star Mike Myers.x
On May 29, Combs' former assistant Mia – using a pseudonym to protect her privacy – mentioned she'd been Myers' personal assistant before working for Combs.
Diddy feuds with 50 Cent, Suge Knight brought up during trial
Capricorn Clark, Combs' former assistant, told jurors on May 27 that she had a connection to one of Combs' foes, Suge Knight, who is the father of her best friend's children. The connection apparently sowed distrust in their professional relationship, she said.
On Clark's very first day of work, Combs took her to Central Park after 9 p.m. with his bodyguard, "Uncle Pauly," Clark said, alleging he "told me he didn't know I had anything to do with Suge Knight and if anything happened, he would have to kill me."
She also recalled an instance early on while working for Combs, when she accompanied him to do press at MTV and overheard him tell his security guard that he didn't like nonsense and people, but he did "like guns." Clark told jurors that 50 Cent was at MTV that day and Combs "had an issue with 50 Cent."
Ventura Fine previously referenced the music mogul's longstanding feud with Suge Knight, as she took the witness stand and spoke about weapons allegedly stored in Combs' homes. On May 13, Ventura Fine testified that Combs left his Los Angeles house after being tipped off by a bodyguard that Knight was at a diner nearby.
At the time of Combs' departure, Ventura Fine said she told Combs, "Please don't do anything stupid" as she screamed and cried in fear.
Diddy security guard 'D-Roc' was in car when childhood friend Biggie died
A name that has been repeatedly mentioned in court is Combs' security guard "D-Roc," whose real name is Damion Butler. Butler was once aligned with another famous rap figure: Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace, who was his childhood friend.
Before his 1997 drive-by shooting death, Wallace was signed to Combs' Bad Boy Records. D-Roc was also in the car when Biggie was shot dead, according to a 2022 book "It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World That Made Him."
The 2021 Netflix documentary "Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell" features never-before-seen footage filmed by Butler.
Before her February death, Biggie's mom Voletta Wallace told Rolling Stone she wanted to "slap" Combs in May 2024 after footage of Combs' hotel assault of Ventura Fine surfaced.
Ex-assistant said Diddy attacked Cassie at Prince's house party
During her May 29 testimony, the prosecution asked Mia about a party that took place at the late musician Prince's house around 2011 or 2012.
Mia said she'd convinced Ventura Fine to go to the "intimate" party despite Combs' instructions for them to stay home. At the event, they danced, hung out with friends and Prince performed on a table. But when Mia spotted Combs walking in, she and Ventura Fine "booked it" outside the house.
However, she said, "Puff caught up to Cass and had her on the ground." He started to attack her, but Prince’s security intervened; the next day, she was allegedly told Combs was suspending her without pay due to "being insubordinate."
Why was former President Barack Obama mentioned in Diddy trial?
While on the stand May 20, former Combs staffer David James testified that he once retrieved ecstasy from the embattled mogul's medicine bag for one of his friends.
James said the rapper had several different types of ecstasy pills, including "one in the shape of a former president's face," later clarifying that the pill was shaped like former President Barack Obama.
Contributing: Marina Pitofsky, Aysha Bagchi, Patrick Ryan, Taijuan Moorman, KiMi Robinson and Anna Kaufman, Paste BN
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish via chat and at 800-656-4673. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.