Singer Cassie Ventura broke down on the stand as she was forced to read sexually explicit messages exchanged with Sean ‘Diddy’ combs, amid damning allegations of sex trafficking and violent abuse spanning over a decade
Cassie Ventura’s voice trembled as she stood before the courtroom, reading out explicit messages she once exchanged with Sean “Diddy” Combs—messages that now haunt her as evidence in one of the music industry’s darkest trials.
On the fourth day of Combs’ sex trafficking trial in a Manhattan federal court, defence lawyers turned their attention to dismantling the credibility of the prosecution’s star witness—Cassie, the woman whose decade-long relationship with the music mogul began in glamour but spiralled into violence, manipulation, and control.
Combs, who stands accused of orchestrating what prosecutors describe as a sprawling sex trafficking enterprise, listened as Cassie read aloud texts once sent in affection—now weaponised as part of his defence. “When do you want to freak off? Lol,” Combs wrote to her in 2009. “I’m always ready to freak off,” she replied.
These exchanges are now central to Combs’ strategy: paint the relationship as consensual, even enthusiastic, while downplaying the allegations of coercion. But behind the flirtatious tone lies a devastating context.
Cassie claims that Combs forced her, and others, into graphic sexual encounters with male sex workers—disturbing acts he allegedly termed “freak-offs.” The singer alleges that these weren’t the result of choice but violence, control, and intimidation. The prosecution argues that Combs used his power as a celebrity and business mogul to isolate her and manipulate her into years of abuse.
The court saw even more unsettling messages. In one, Cassie wrote: “I can’t wait to watch you,” to which Combs responded, “I want you to get real hot.” Her reply: “Me too. I just want it to be uncontrollable.”
Visibly shaken after being forced to read the explicit texts, Cassie requested a brief pause. Judge Arun Subramanian granted the break, acknowledging the emotionally gruelling testimony she was delivering.
The day before, prosecutors had shown her still images from videos that allegedly documented sexual acts orchestrated by Combs—material she said brought back a flood of shame and trauma.
Under cross-examination, defence lawyer Anna Estevao shifted tactics, starting gently with messages from the early days of their relationship. Cassie recalled falling in love with Combs, describing him as “charismatic” and “larger than life.” She said, “I had fallen in love with him and cared about him very much.”
But that affection, she now claims, masked a horrific reality. The relationship, which began when she was 19 and Combs was already in his 30s, quickly turned toxic. According to Cassie, behind closed doors, Diddy maintained a disturbing level of control, allegedly forcing her into sexual scenarios while he watched and directed.
Combs’ legal team argues that these acts were consensual and merely part of what they describe as the “swingers lifestyle.” When asked directly by Ms Estevao if the “freak-offs” could be linked to swinging, Cassie replied sharply: “In a sexual way,” she acknowledged, then added, “They’re very different.”
The defence has yet to call its own witnesses, but the tone of the cross-examination made clear their goal: to undermine Cassie’s reliability by weaponising her past consent to obscure claims of coercion.
However, federal prosecutors maintain that any appearance of consent came under duress, and that Combs’ massive influence created a prison of fear for the women involved.
The trial is expected to continue for several weeks, with more explosive evidence likely to emerge. Meanwhile, the courtroom remains tense, gripped by the unfolding testimony that has already shaken public perceptions of one of music’s most powerful figures
