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From Barack Obama to Britney Spears: the celebrities who have been mentioned in the Diddy trial so far

The megastar hip-hop mogul is standing trial for sex trafficking and racketeering charges

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miami, fl december 31: diddy parties at mr jones on december 31, 2017 in miami, florida. (photo by thaddaeus mcadams/getty images)
Thaddaeus McAdams//Getty Images

Sean Combs is one of music’s biggest pioneers from the nineties and aughts. Hailed as one of the most significant figures in the industry to bring hip-hop to mainstream audiences, Combs was credited in discovering and helping foster the careers of huge performers such as Usher and Notorious B.I.G., and owned the widely influential Bad Boy Records.

He also had a successful music career himself, under the aliases of Puff Daddy, P Diddy and now, Diddy. In the halcyon days of his career, he was thought to be worth over $1 billion.

However, this legacy has since crashed down around him after a series of sexual abuse and misconduct allegations from numerous women. The 55 year old is now in federal court, on trial in New York City following racketeering and sex trafficking charges.

Combs has repeatedly denied the allegations against him. In a statement released in April, Combs’ legal team described his accusers as “former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion.”

Having stood at the apex of the A-List for the numerous decades Combes was active, it is unsurprising that a number of celebrities have been mentioned since the trial.

As proceedings continue, here’s a full list of stars who have found themselves mentioned in the numerous testimonies - but just to note, this does not necessarily include any wrongdoing on their part.

1

Cassie Ventura

los angeles, ca june 21: cassie, sean combs, p. diddy arrives at the los angeles premiere of cant stop wont stop at writers guild of america, west on june 21, 2017 in los angeles, california. (photo by steve granitz/wireimage)
Steve Granitz//Getty Images

One of the leading witnesses for the prosecution, Ventura and Combs dated on and off from around 2007 to 2018. The singer, now 38, was initially signed to Combs’s Bad Boy Records.

Ventura was heavily pregnant when she took to the stand, and claimed she suffered physical and sexual abuse at the hands of Combs. While she said the pair were initially happy, she discussed in detail the now infamous ‘freak-offs’; days-long orgies that Ventura claimed she was made to participate in, that featured sex acts with male sex workers, which Combs would allegedly masturbate to or film. Drugs were often used in order to keep the sessions going, which would typically last between 36 to 48 hours, and participants were covered in baby oil.

Ventura claimed in her court testimony that she feared Combs would leak the footage from the freak-offs, and she participated to avoid making him angry.

The Me & U singer initially accused Combs in a lawsuit back in 2023 of “a cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking”. The case settled outside of court for an undisclosed sum, which was revealed to be around $20 million (£14.8 million) during the court case.

2

Kid Cudi

los angeles, california march 22: kid cudi attends the all guild special screening of apple tv+ show severance season 2 at dga theater complex on march 22, 2025 in los angeles, california. (photo by phillip faraone/filmmagic)
Phillip Faraone

The rapper, real name Scott Mescudi, briefly dated Ventura in 2011, when she was on a break from her relationship with Combs.

Combs was reportedly jealous of the romance; while testifying, Mescudi, 41, claimed that the rapper broke into his home to confront him. While Mescudi was not present, he claims his home had been tampered with and that his dog had been locked in the bathroom.

There were also reports that Combs threatened to blow up Mescudi’s Porsche in 2012. When testifying, the Day n Nite singer said: “The top of my Porsche was cut open and that’s where they inserted the Molotov cocktail.” However, he did not directly link Combs to the explosion.

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3

Michael B Jordan

london, england may 15: michael b. jordan attends the mission: impossible the final reckoning global premiere in leicester square on may 15, 2025 in london, england. (photo by joe maher/getty images)
Joe Maher//Getty Images

The Sinners actor was mentioned in the trial by celebrity stylist Deonte Nash. Jordan was thought to briefly have dated Ventura in 2015, following a split from Combs.

4

Britney Spears

las vegas september 07: britney spears (l) and p. diddy (r) attend an evening at pure nightclub hosted by p. diddy on september 7, 2007 in las vegas, nevada. (photo by jean baptiste lacroix/wireimage)
Jean Baptiste Lacroix//Getty Images

When Ventura was recalling guests who attended her 21st birthday party at Jet nightclub in Las Vegas, she said that Combs brought Spears to the event, as well as music producer Dallas Austin. “I think those were the two people that stand out to me,” she said.

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5

Barack Obama

washington, dc december 02: former u.s. president barack obama participates in a book talk with former german chancellor angela merkel at the anthem on december 02, 2024 in washington, dc. obama and merkel discussed her memoir freedom as well as world politics and the history the two former leaders have witnessed. (photo by kevin dietsch/getty images)
Kevin Dietsch//Getty Images

A former personal assistant to Combs, David James, testified about drug use at many of the rapper’s parties.

While Obama was not mentioned to be at any of the parties, nor is there any evidence that he knew of any of Combs’s alleged wrongdoings, James said on the stand that many celebrities would take pills in “the shape of the former President's face”.

6

50 Cent

50cent
Prince Williams//Getty Images

Capricorn Clark, another former assistant to Combs, said during the trial that Combs discussed weapons in relation to his rivalry with the Candyshop rapper.

Combs reportedly said: “I don't like the back and forth, I don't like that. I like guns.”

50 Cent meanwhile has continued to mock Combs on social media throughout the ongoing proceedings and is apparently even working on a documentary series about Combs.

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7

Prince

prince performs at half time during super bowl xli between the indianapolis colts and chicago bears at dolphins stadium in miami, florida on february 4, 2007. (photo by theo wargo/wireimage)
Theo Wargo//Getty Images

In testimony by ‘Mia’, a former assistant of Combs who has been given a pseudonym to protect her privacy, she claims that her boss attacked Ventura after she snuck out to attend a party at Prince’s house.

“Puff caught Cass, he caught up to her and had her and threw her to the ground and started to attack her,” she said.

8

Drake

Drake performing onstage in Dubai
Getty Images

The Passionfruit singer was mentioned in Ventura’s testimony, after she claimed she attended his 2013 Ovo Festival in Toronto a day after Combs attacked her.

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9

Chris Brown

chris brown
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The rapper was another man Combs accused Ventura of having a relationship with. In her testimony, she explains that Combs took her phone from her after she was accused of dancing with Brown. Ventura denies the pair ever danced together.

10

Usher

usher
Kristy Sparow//Getty Images

Dawn Richard, a member of Danity Kane, claimed Combs assaulted Ventura at a restaurant in 2010. Usher was reportedly in the restaurant, alongside Ne-Yo and other celebrities Richard said she “could not recall”.

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11

Jay Z

jay z at the mufasa: the lion king premiere at dolby theatre on december 09, 2024 in los angeles, california. (photo by gilbert flores/variety via getty images)
Gilbert Flores//Getty Images

Capricorn Clark, a former assistant to Combs, testified that she told Ventura to go and date other people. Ventura reportedly replied that “Jay Z was taken”, so “who else could she date.”

12

Rihanna

rihanna valentines red lingerie
Kevin Mazur//Getty Images

Clark continued that she was on holiday with friend Rihanna when she was fired by Combs in 2012.

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13

Jennifer Lopez

jennifer lopez naked topless bikini bottoms
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Ventura’s make-up artist Mylah Morales testified she worked with Jennifer Lopez after she stopped working for Combs. Lopez previously dated Combs between 1999 and 2001.

She has previously said, before any allegations arose, that she wanted to keep her relationship with Combs ‘sacred and private’.

14

Nicki Minaj

nicki-minaj
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Ventura mentioned the rapper towards the end of her cross-examination, when she was quizzed about whether she had access to any other industry professionals. “Nicki Minaj and I did a song together,” she said, before mentioning she also worked with Lil Wayne.

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Kimberley Bond
Multiplatform Writer

Kimberley Bond is a Multiplatform Writer for Harper’s Bazaar, focusing on the arts, culture, careers and lifestyle. She previously worked as a Features Writer for Cosmopolitan UK, and has bylines at The Telegraph, The Independent and British Vogue among countless others.

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