Celebrities named in testimony as Diddy’s sex trafficking trial enters 3rd week

As week three unfolds in the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, a string of high-profile celebrities have already been mentioned in courtroom testimony.

Names like Usher, former President Barack Obama, Biggie Smalls, and Jennifer Lopez have surfaced as witnesses recount their experiences and connections to the embattled music mogul. Testimony has come from Combs’ former assistants, ex-associates, and his former girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura.

The trial officially began on May 5 with jury selection, followed by opening statements on May 12. Since then, Combs has been present in court as the jury hears from key figures, including Cassie, her mother, former agents with Homeland Security Investigations, and artists such as Dawn Richard and Kid Cudi.

A court sketch depicts Sean “Diddy” Combs and Cassie Ventura watching the hotel assault video in court. (JANE ROSENBERG)

Here’s a list of all the celebrities mentioned so far.

Former President Barack Obama

According to testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial, the rapper carried around ecstasy in the shape of former President Barack Obama’s face. Obama has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection to Diddy. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former assistant, David James, testified on May 20 that the rapper typically carried “25 to 30” undisclosed pill bottles. According to James, some of the pills were ecstasy.

“Can you describe the ecstasy that you saw him taking?” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Slavik asked.

“There were various pills, but there was one that was in the shape of a former president’s face,” James explained.

“Which former president?” the prosecutor questioned.

“President Obama,” James answered.

USHER

Usher was at a dinner where Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly became physical with Cassie Ventura, former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard testified. Usher has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection to Diddy. (Getty Images)

Former Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard delivered explosive testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking and racketeering trial, claiming she witnessed the music mogul physically assault singer Cassie Ventura during a celebrity-filled dinner.

Richard recounted that the incident took place at a private dinner in West Hollywood, where several members of Combs’ Bad Boy label, industry executives, and celebrities were present. “We were having a private conversation, and we were all sitting, eating at the tables together,” she said. “When I say ‘we,’ I mean some Bad Boy \[records members], some from our other label, and even some celebrities were in the room. And they were secretly arguing, and he punched her in the stomach. Sean Combs punched her in the stomach.”

According to Richard, Ventura immediately doubled over in pain. “He told her to leave because I could see him point out, and she went out and left the room,” she added.

Richard named several individuals present at the dinner, including music executive Harve Pierre, two of Combs’ assistants, his security personnel, and singer Kaleena Harper. During cross-examination, Richard was asked about others in attendance and revealed that Usher, Jimmy Iovine, and Ne-Yo were also at the event. “There were a few others, too. I don’t recall those people, but those are the ones I remember talking to,” she said.

The testimony has intensified public interest in the case, as high-profile names continue to surface during the ongoing proceedings.

Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi testified May 22 in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial. He has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection to Diddy. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)

Kid Cudi became a key figure in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing sex trafficking and racketeering trial after being first mentioned during Cassie Ventura’s testimony on May 14. Cassie alleged that Combs discovered email correspondence between her and Cudi after going through her phone during a private gathering referred to as a “freak off.”

According to testimony, Cassie and Cudi—whose full name is Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi—briefly dated in 2011 during a break in her relationship with Combs.

On May 22, Cudi took the witness stand and recounted a disturbing sequence of events that followed. He testified about an alleged break-in at his home shortly after Combs found out about his relationship with Cassie. A month later, Cudi’s car was mysteriously set on fire.

“I reached out to Sean Combs after my car had caught fire and… finally told him that we needed to meet up to talk,” Cudi told the court. “He had been wanting to talk to me. So, after the fire, I was like, ‘This is getting out of hand. I need to talk to him.’”

When asked why he reached out to Combs after the incident, Cudi replied, “Because I knew he had something to do with it.” However, the statement was quickly struck from the record after the judge sustained an objection from Combs’ defense team. The jury was instructed to disregard the comment.

Diddy was never formally charged in connection with the alleged break-in or the car fire. Nonetheless, Cudi’s testimony has added a new layer of tension and intrigue to the high-profile trial.

The Notorious B.I.G.

Diddy’s former assistant mentioned Notorious B.I.G. in his testimony. The late rapper has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection to Diddy. (Raymond Boyd)

During Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing sex trafficking and racketeering trial, the late rapper Biggie Smalls—whose real name was Christopher George Latore Wallace—has been mentioned multiple times, highlighting the close connection between the two music icons. Biggie, who was tragically killed in a 1997 drive-by shooting at the age of 24, continues to have a symbolic presence in Combs’ life and business.

Diddy’s former assistant, George Kaplan, testified that Combs frequently used the alias “Frank Black” when booking hotel reservations. When asked about the origin of the name, Kaplan speculated that it was likely a tribute to Biggie, explaining, “I think it was a reference to Biggie. I think that \[Biggie’s] nickname was Frank White.”

Kaplan also noted that Biggie’s influence extended beyond aliases. He told the jury that May 21—Biggie’s birthday—was recognized as a paid holiday for employees at Combs Enterprises, further emphasizing the deep reverence Diddy held for his late friend and collaborator.

Michael B. Jordan

Sean “Diddy” Combs once suspected Cassie Ventura was seeing Michael B. Jordan. The actor has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection to Diddy. (Getty Images)

Cassie testified that after breaking up with Diddy in 2015 during a film shoot in South Africa, the rapper suspected she was seeing actor Michael B. Jordan. Cassie’s friend, Kerry Morgan, confirmed they were “talking” but emphasized Cassie was no longer with Diddy at the time. Despite the lack of a confirmed relationship, Diddy allegedly became jealous.

Suge Knight

Suge Knight was mentioned in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ trial. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection to Diddy. (Getty Images)

David James, Diddy’s former personal assistant, recalled a tense encounter with Suge Knight at Mel’s Diner. After spotting Knight, armed and flanked by black SUVs, James testified that he returned to the diner with Diddy, who was reportedly in the back seat with three handguns on his lap. Though no confrontation occurred, James said the incident deeply shook him and led to his resignation six months later.

Britney Spears

Sean “Diddy” Combs brought Britney Spears to Cassie’s 21st birthday party. Britney Spears has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection to Diddy. (Getty Images)

During cross-examination, it was revealed that Diddy brought Britney Spears and music producer Dallas Austin to Cassie’s 21st birthday party—an early moment in their romantic relationship. Spears has not been implicated in the trial.

Prince

Cassie’s former makeup artist testified about attending a party at Prince’s house in 2010. Prince has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection to Diddy. (Greg Helgeson)

Cassie Ventura’s former makeup artist, Mylah Morales, testified that she first noticed injuries on the singer’s face during the 2010 Grammys weekend. Speaking under oath, Morales claimed the bruises appeared following an alleged physical altercation between Cassie and Sean “Diddy” Combs. She recalled that the incident seemed to have occurred after a party at music icon Prince’s house, with the injuries becoming visible late that night or early the next morning.

Bruce Willis

Cassie Ventura brought up Bruce Willis in texts to Sean “Diddy” Combs. Willis has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection to Diddy. (TOLGA AKMEN/AFP )

In court, an emotional text exchange between Cassie and Diddy was shared, in which Cassie compared his behavior unfavorably to actor Bruce Willis. She wrote that Willis was supportive of his current partner and family, contrasting that with Diddy’s actions. “As much as you think you’re Bruce Willis, you aren’t,” Cassie wrote, expressing that she felt ignored and hurt.

Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez

Cassie Ventura’s former makeup artist testified she also worked for Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez. The two have not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection to Diddy. (Eric Charbonnuea/Getty Images for Twentieth Century Fox)

Cassie Ventura’s former makeup artist testified she also worked for Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez. Mylah Morales claimed she worked for Sean “Diddy” Combs from 2000 until 2005.

“After you stopped working for Mr. Combs, who is the next artist that you worked with?” Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey asked in court Thursday.

According to Morales, she worked with Rihanna for 13 years along with Jennifer Lopez.

“Are there others that you’re not remembering right now?” Comey asked.

“Yeah, there’s so many,” Morales responded. “It’s like a long list of names.”

Dawn Richard

Dawn Richard arrives at federal court before testifying in Diddy’s case. Richard has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection to Diddy. (David ‘Dee’ Delgado/Reuters)

Former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard delivered powerful testimony during Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing sex trafficking trial, alleging that the music mogul threatened her into silence after she witnessed an incident of abuse involving his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.

Richard told the court she saw Diddy physically attack Cassie and that the following day, while in the recording studio, he downplayed the incident. According to her testimony, Diddy referred to the assault as “passion” and claimed it was typical behavior in a relationship. He insisted Cassie was fine and urged Richard not to speak about what she had seen.

More disturbingly, Richard testified that Diddy then made a chilling comment: “Where I’m from, people go missing.” She interpreted the remark as a veiled threat, suggesting that speaking out could have deadly consequences.