Casandra Ventura, the singer and model known as Cassie, delivered powerful and emotional testimony on Tuesday in the federal racketeering and sex-trafficking case against Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Speaking softly but firmly before a jury, Ventura detailed more than a decade of what she described as escalating control, manipulation, physical abuse and coerced sexual encounters, positioning herself as the central figure in the government's case.
Ventura will return to the stand to continue her testimony on Wednesday.
The Context
The appearance of Ventura, dressed in a long brown dress, marks the first time she has publicly elaborated on her allegations since filing a civil suit in November 2023. The case triggered a federal investigation and led to Combs' arrest in 2024.
Though court documents had previously referred to her only as "Victim-1," there was little doubt she would be the prosecution's star witness. Her testimony may prove crucial to the government's claims that Combs operated a years-long criminal enterprise built on exploitation and control.
Physical Abuse And Emotional Manipulation
Ventura, now 38 and 8 1/2 months pregnant, testified that her relationship with Combs was marred by repeated violence.
"There were violent arguments that would usually result in some sort of physical abuse," she said. "Dragging, different things of that nature."
In her testimony, she said that Combs would "mash me in my head, and that "he beat me too frequently," describing how she would have knots on her head and bruises.
She recounted instances of being kicked, stomped on and slapped simply for making the "wrong face." She said she often felt dread when Combs visited her apartment in Los Angeles, unsure if he would be charming or furious.
Ventura testified about a 2016 incident caught on surveillance video at a California hotel.
"I chose to leave," Ventura said. "I got out and Sean followed me into the hallway, and grabbed me, shoved me to the ground, kicked me and dragged me back to the room and took my stuff."
'Freak-offs' And Coerced Sex
One of the most disturbing parts of her testimony involved what she described as "freak-offs"—drug-fueled sexual encounters with male prostitutes, which she said she participated in under emotional duress. She described feeling "confused, nervous, but also loved him very much."
When Combs introduced her to the idea of having freak-offs, Ventura said, "I just remember my stomach falling to my butt."
She added, "Eventually, it became a job for me." The encounters, she said, were often filmed and became what she described as "blackmail materials" that she feared could be leaked because "he had many resources to do that."
The encounters typically lasted multiple days, with some lasting up to four days. Ventura said she would try to get them to move faster by performing the sexual acts as fast as she could.
"I felt pretty horrible about myself," Ventura said. "I was disgusted."
She said Combs and an escort urinated on her without her consent.
"It was a turn on for him, so it happened," Ventura said. "It was disgusting. It was too much. It was overwhelming."
One freak-off involving Combs and an escort involved a baby pool filled with baby oil, Ventura testified. She and the escort were told to rub baby oil on themselves until they were glistening.
She also listed drugs she was allegedly given to facilitate these encounters, including cocaine, GHB and ketamine.
Extreme Control Over Personal And Professional Life
Ventura met Combs in 2005, when she was 19, and signed a 10-album deal with his label, Bad Boy Records, in 2006. Despite recording "hundreds of songs," she said only one album was released, with Combs allegedly controlling which projects saw the light of day.
"Nine" albums, she confirmed, were never released. He also had keys to her apartments, tracked her location through his staff, and used her career as leverage for personal access.
Early Infatuation And Manipulation
After Ventura turned 21 in 2007, their romantic relationship began on a trip to Miami, where she said Combs gave her a "blue dolphin" Ecstasy pill and they had sex for the first time on a boat. Initially, she described being "enamored" by him, caught up in his lifestyle and charisma. "We were just having a good time," she said.
The relationship didn't become public until many years later, she testified, because she was his artist, along with family and personal concerns, including Combs' relationship with Kim Porter at the time.
Additionally, she explained that Combs would call her "incessantly," as well as have assistants find out where she was.
Ventura said that, over time, the romance soured into emotional dependency and psychological manipulation. "He could get anything done quickly. He had respect from everyone. He had respect from everyone, and he traveled quite a bit," she said.
What People Are Saying
Cassie Ventura testified before a federal jury on Tuesday about Combs' unpredictable behavior: "Make the wrong face, and the next thing I knew, I was getting hit in the face."
Teny Geragos, one of Combs' lawyers, in the defense's opening statement: "Sean Combs is a complicated man, but this is not a complicated case. This case is about love, jealousy, infidelity and money."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson, in the prosecution's opening statement: "He used his companies to manipulate women, forcing them with male escorts to have sex while he watched. He and his inner circle made sure he got everything he wanted."
What Happens Next
Ventura will likely face cross-examination by Combs' attorneys. The jury will weigh Ventura's claims as the trial continues into the summer, with more witnesses expected to corroborate key elements of the prosecution's case.
Update 5/13/25 6:29 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and context.
