The trial against rapper and music mogul, Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs, has officially begun, with the first weeks of testimony well and truly underway.
Beginning on May 5, 2025, for the charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution, it is expected, due to Combs’ A-list status and career, that a number of celebrities will be made mention of.
While previous reports had mentioned several anonymous witnesses were due to take the stand, court documents soon revealed that “Victim-1”, would be Combs’ ex, Cassie Ventura.
As the prosecution’s star witness, Ventura has already taken the stand, with the court hearing what happened between Diddy and Kid Cudi during his own testimony soon after. But in the first week of jury selection, names like Michael B. Jordan, Drake and Destiny’s Child member, Michelle Williams, were all been raised for various reason.
Here’s your guide to celebrities mentioned or testifying and why.
Celebrity Involvement In P Diddy’s Trial
Kid Cudi: Mentioned & Testified
Kid Cudi (real name Scott Mescudi) was first mentioned at P Diddy’s trial, in the jury selection questionairre. Cudi was romantically linked to Ventura in 2011, however, prosecutors are also alleging that the star was the target of an attack led by Combs which saw his car set on fire at his L.A. home.
In her testimony, Ventura claimed Diddy found out she was dating Cudi after going through her emails and was “so irate” she alleges he then kicked her in the back, leaving a large bruise.
Representatives for Cudi confirmed Ventura’s account to the New York Times prior to the trial.
During week three of the trial, the court heard how Kid Cudi became an alleged target of Combs’ jealous rage which included a break-in at his house and claims that Combs was responsible for the firebombing of his car.
Mescudi testified that in January 2012, he received a phone call from his dog sitter telling him his can was on fire. Upon returning, Mescudi found his car destroyed. “The top of my Porsche was cut open and that’s where they inserted the Molotov cocktail,” he told the court.
Usher & Ne-Yo: Mentioned, Not Testifying
As week two of Combs’ trial commenced, Danity Kane singer, Dawn Richard, took to the witness stand. In her testimony, Richards, who also has a separate civil lawsuit pending against Diddy, told the court she witness Combs assault Ventura. She went on to allege that other celebrities including Usher and Ne-Yo were present and witnessed the incident which took place inside a restaurant in 2010.
“She immediately bent over, he [Combs] told her to leave,” she told the court in relation to the alleged incident whereby Combs punched Ventura in the stomach during an argument. “No one intervened,” she added in reference to “other celebrities” present.
Cassie Ventura: Testified
A motion filed on April 4, 2025 by prosecutors ahead of the federal trial had stated that a previous filing – that referred to “Victim-1” be amended to disclose the name of the previously anonymous witness.
Sources confirmed that Cassie Ventura – previously known as “Victim-1” – would take the stand using her own name, joining three others who will remain anonymous.
“She is prepared to testify under her own name,” the filing obtained by People, states. “Victim-2, Victim-3, and Victim-4 have asked that their identities not be revealed to the press or the public.”
The heavily pregnant Ventura attended court during the second week of the trial. Attending alongside her husband, Alex Fine, she endured days of gruelling testimony, sharing intimate and disturbing details about her 11-year relationship with the music mogul, including infamous “freak offs”, as part of the federal prosecutors’ case.
It’s too early to tell if Ventura’s bravery in coming forward will inspire others to do the same, but if her previous case is anything to go by, she just might be the first of many.
Michael B. Jordan: Mentioned, Not Testifying
In the first week of the trial 150 potential jurors were given a questionnaire to assess their knowledge of Combs, in it was a list of celebrity names including that of Michael B. Jordan. Context wasn’t initially given as to why the Sinners star was listed, however it was believed to be in relation to a romantic link to Combs’ ex, Cassie Ventura.
Jordan and Ventura were reportedly linked in 2015, however a rep for the actor revealed to People that despite this mention he wouldn’t be taking the stand.
“[Jordan] will not be a witness in the trial,” a source told the outlet.
While on the stand, Ventura was asked about Combs’ accusing her of having an affair with Jordan.
“Mr. Combs suspected you of a relationship with whom?,” Estevao asked, to which she responded with Jordan’s name.
Ike and Tina Turner: Mentioned, Not Testifying
During her testimony, Ventura compared Combs to musician Ike Turner, who abused his former wife, Tina Turner. While on the stand, Ventura recited text messages she sent to Diddy.
According to NBC News, the message read, “you treat me like Ike Turner” to which she then clarified to the prosecution that she means “abusive and controlling”.
Kim Porter: Mentioned, Deceased
Kim Porter was the ex-girlfriend of Combs’ with whom he shares three children. Mention of Porter was made during Ventura’s testimony when the singer revealed she’d begun dating Diddy prior to his relationship with Porter ending.
In fact, Ventura claimed she became involved with Combs “many years” before his split from Porter in 2007, which was the same year he went public with Cassie. Porter passed away in 2018 from lobar pneumonia.
Drake: Mentioned, Not Testifying
Ventura alleged while on the stand that Combs assaulted her the night before they were due to travel to Canada for music festival OVO, which was hosted by Drake. Per Variety, she alleges Combs forced his way into her apartment before causing an eye injury so severe it required stitches from a plastic surgeon. Afterwards, Ventura sent a photo of the injury to Diddy with the text “So you can remember.”
Ventura was expected to make a guest appearance during Drake’s set at the event and the ‘Me & U’ singer recounted having to conceal her injuries before attending.
For a full timeline of the case and allegations leading up to this trial, see our comprehensive explainer here and explore our wider coverage at this link.
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