The celebrities mentioned during Diddy’s sex trafficking trial
Michael B. Jordan, Britney Spears, 50 Cent and Kanye West are some of the celebrities names that have been brought up
The sex-trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs continues in Manhattan federal court, where jurors heard testimony that mentioned a few A-list stars.
At the start, jurors were given a list of 190 celebrities, spanning beloved Hollywood actors and elite musicians who may be referenced during the trial, including Michael B. Jordan and Kanye West, among others, according to Variety. Other big names, including Britney Spears and 50 Cent, have also popped up with the trial testimony in full swing.
Combs is facing a five-count indictment accusing him of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy. The rapper was arrested in September 2024 after federal authorities alleged he and his associates threatened, abused and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” – through twisted “freak offs” – or recorded sex performances.
Diddy has denied any wrongdoing and rejected a plea deal offer.
Here are the celebrities featured in the list, and others who have come up in the trial:
Cassie Ventura
Ventura, Combs’ ex-longtime girlfriend, is the star witness in the federal trial.
The pair met in 2005 when Ventura signed to Combs’ label. She was 19 and he was 37. Their relationship first became public in 2007, with the pair splitting and reconciling several times over the course of a decade before breaking up for good in 2018. Ventura came forward last year about her experience of domestic abuse, saying it had “broken” her.
Ventura, now 38 and eight months pregnant, spent four days on the stand sharing emotional testimony accusing Combs of rape, blackmail, sexual degradation and physical abuse – detailing the twisted “freak-offs” she grudgingly participated in to appease him.
She testified that while she initially participated in the days-long, drug-fueled sex marathons, she eventually grew exhausted of them. She said she didn’t stop, however, because she was worried Diddy would release footage from them if she didn’t go along with it.
She also testified that Combs raped her in 2018 after the two had broken up, telling the jury, “I just remember crying and saying no.”
In a statement through her lawyer, Ventura said the trial was “extremely challenging,” “remarkably empowering” and “healing.”
“I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors, and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from abuse and fear,” Ventura said.
50 Cent
Rapper 50 Cent said he isn’t scared of “itty bitty Diddy,” after Combs’ former assistant described a “back and forth” between the two rappers during testimony on May 27.
Capricorn Clark, a former assistant for Combs from 2004 to 2012, testified that Combs once threatened 50 Cent after an MTV press event by telling his employees that he had guns.
The “9 Shots” rapper, who is a longtime critic of Diddy, has repeatedly mocked the disgraced music mogul – and jumped at the opportunity to continue making jokes at his expense after he was name dropped during the trial.
“Cut, CUT...Wait a minute PUFFY’s got a gun, I can’t believe this I don’t feel safe...LOL,” 50 Cent captioned an AI photo of himself on a movie set on Instagram.
Hours later, 50 Cent made another jab at Combs, captioning a second AI-generated photo of himself looking scared in a New York Yankees hat, “Oh my goodness itty bitty Diddy wants me Dead, I have to lay low, I think I’m gonna hide out at the playoff game tonight. LOL.”
Britney Spears
Cassie Ventura testified on May 15, that Sean “Diddy” Combs brought pop star Britney Spears to her 21st birthday party — where Ventura said she first kissed the rap mogul and their relationship began.
The “Oops!...I Did It Again” singer and producer Dallas Austin were in attendance at the soiree held in a Las Vegas club, Ventura said.
“Sean was there and he brought Dallas Austin, Britney Spears,” Ventura testified. “I think those were the two people that stand out to me.”
Michael B. Jordan
The “Sinners” actor likely appeared on the list because he went on a date with Combs’ longtime ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, the star witness of the federal trial, a source familiar with the case told Variety.
Combs was said to be upset about the date, which took place in 2015, the source added.
Jordan will not be a witness in the trial, according to the report.
Mike Myers
It was not immediately clear why Myers was included in the list, though many have speculated that his inclusion stems from a brief mention of Combs in one of his beloved Austin Powers films.
Austin Powers, one of Myers’ most popular roles, has a movie with a joke poking fun at the musician, USA Today reported.
The scene in reference is likely from 2002’s Austin Powers: Goldmember, during which the character Dr. Evil has an “E Diddy” tattoo on his butt after spending time in prison.
Other celebrities mentioned in the trial so far
Ariana Baio contributed to this report