Cassie Ventura cries during harrowing first day of Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial testimony

Following her allegations of sexual abuse, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura Fine is taking the stand in ex-boyfriend Sean "Diddy" Combs' criminal trial.

Ventura Fine, whose November 2023 lawsuit against the hip-hop mogul opened the floodgates to a series of civil complaints, delivered emotional testimony on May 13 about the alleged abuse she says she endured from Combs during their relationship.

The singer broke down crying in court as she discussed Combs' "freak offs," a term for the mogul's alleged drug-fueled sex parties. She said that they made her feel "horrible" and "worthless" but that she continued to participate for "the one-on-one time" with Combs and out of fear that the rapper would become violent or find someone new.

Crying and sniffling, Ventura Fine said she "gently" tried to broach the subject of no longer doing "freak offs," but Combs, who she described as a "scary person," was allegedly "dismissive."

Cassie testifies about abuse, 'freak offs' in Diddy trial

Throughout her testimony, Ventura Fine accused Combs, whom she got to know after signing with his label Bad Boy Records, of being violent and abusive during their relationship.

She alleged that Combs subjected her to psychological abuse "every day" and had big mood swings. When he would become angry, she alleged, "His eyes go black. The version I loved of him was no longer there." He controlled much of her life, whether it was her career or how she dressed, and arguments often ended in physical violence that left her with bruises, she said.

Further detailing Combs' alleged behavior, Ventura Fine said the rapper would punish her by taking away electronics, her car or jewelry. She choked up as she said Combs also took away "my self-confidence."

Cassie allgeges she was given drugs to keep her awake during 'freak offs'

Ventura's November 2023 lawsuit against Combs opened the floodgates to a series of damning civil complaints accusing the hip-hop mogul of various abuses.

After Combs introduced her to his "freak offs," Ventura Fine said she was "confused" and "nervous" but "loved him very much" and "wanted to make him happy." She said that Combs gave her ecstasy and alcohol before and during the first "freak off."

The "freak offs" would last between 36 and 72 hours, Ventura Fine testified, taking up much of her week and requiring time to recover from. Although Combs initially set up the "freak offs," Ventura Fine said that eventually, she would do so as well.

Over time, she alleged she became afraid that Combs would release videos and photos of her with an escort on the internet.

Ventura Fine alleged that her career was "stifled" when she was with Combs and that spending so much time on the "freak offs" impacted her ability to produce music. Combs typically sat back in his chair while watching the testimony, but began taking notes at length when Cassie talked about her career.

Cassie describes hotel surveillance video

Ventura Fine told the court about the lead-up to the 2016 hotel surveillance video that shows Combs attacking his then-girlfriend. She said the couple was having a "freak off" that had already turned violent, and she chose to leave.

She had a movie premiere scheduled later in the week, so she had tried to avoid having sex with an escort.

But Cassie said she feared Combs' reaction and was worried that he would physically harm her if she didn't participate. When asked how many times Combs had thrown her to the ground, which Combs is seen doing in the footage before kicking her, Ventura Fine alleged "too many (times) to count."

Diddy opening statements and first witnesses take the stand

Ventura Fine's testimony came one day after the jury in Combs' sex-crimes trial was shown video of the rapper assaulting her in 2016. The prosecution's first witness was a former security officer at the hotel, Israel Florez, who testified that he received a call about a "woman in distress" and, when he arrived, saw that Ventura Fine had a "purple eye."

During her opening statement, prosecutor Emily Johnson alleged that Combs beat Ventura Fine "viciously." Defense attorney Teny Geragos, meanwhile, told the jury that Cassie became jealous after realizing that she would never be Combs' wife.

Combs was arrested in September 2024 and indicted on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. A superseding indictment filed April 3 charged him with two additional counts: sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Cassie and Diddy lawsuit, explained

Combs' legal woes began in November 2023 when Ventura Fine accused the rapper of rape, sex trafficking and physical abuse in a civil lawsuit.

Ventura Fine met a then-37-year-old Combs in 2005 after the rap mogul became interested in signing her to Bad Boy Records. After being lured into an "ostentatious, fast-paced and drug-fueled lifestyle" and romantic relationship with Combs, the singer claimed he "took control" of her life, ranging from her healthcare to her career opportunities, and plied her with drugs and alcohol.

Combs also allegedly raped Ventura Fine in 2018 and forced the singer into "repeated unwanted sexual encounters" with male prostitutes he hired and recorded their encounters, per the lawsuit.

Cassie and Diddy settlement amount was not disclosed

Despite the bombshell suit, Ventura Fine and Combs settled the legal matter one day later. An exact settlement amount was not disclosed.

"I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control," Ventura Fine said in a statement. Meanwhile, Combs wished his ex and her family "all the best" in a separate statement following the settlement.

How long was Cassie with Diddy?

Cassie Ventura, left, and Sean "Diddy" Combs attend the Clive Davis party ahead of the Grammy Awards on Jan. 28, 2018.

Who is Cassie married to?

Ventura Fine has been married to Alex Fine, a personal trainer, since 2019. The couple shares two children together, Frankie and Sunny, with a third on the way.

Fine was present in the courtroom to support Ventura Fine as she testified.

Alex Fine arrives at court for Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial on May 13, 2025.

Cassie's abuse claims against Diddy resurface after leaked video

In May 2024, CNN released leaked surveillance footage of Combs physically assaulting Cassie at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles on March 5, 2016.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs, left, and Cassie attend the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017, in New York City.

In the video, Ventura Fine is seen calling an elevator with a duffle bag in hand, while a different camera angle shows Combs running down the hotel hallway in a bath towel. He catches up with Ventura Fine before the elevator comes, striking and yanking Ventura Fine by the hair and throwing her to the ground, after which the rapper kicks her twice.

Two days after the footage's release, Combs said he takes "full responsibility" for his actions, adding he's "committed to being a better man each and every day." A week later, Ventura Fine weighed in on the video, saying domestic violence "broke me down to someone I never thought I would become."

On May 12, prosecutors showed footage of the 2016 assault to jurors during Combs' sex-crimes trial. Geragos said the "horrible" and "dehumanizing" video showed domestic violence but said the fight was about a phone Combs was trying to get from Cassie, not about forcing her into sex.

Can you watch the Diddy trial live?

Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex-crimes trial is not available to watch live, as cameras are not allowed in the courtroom.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.Contributing: Patrick Ryan, Anika Reed, Taijuan Moorman, Brendan Morrow, Jay Stahl and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY; Reuters