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Celebrities Named During Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Trial Jury Selection
As the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial commenced in New York City, courtroom observers were taken aback when the names of various celebrities surfaced during the jury selection process. The legal proceedings against Diddy have garnered significant attention, and the inclusion of these names adds another layer of complexity to the case. The trial focuses on sex trafficking allegations, with potential jurors being questioned about their awareness of individuals connected, or seemingly unconnected to the case.
Prospective jurors, questioned beginning May 5th, faced inquiries about their familiarity with figures like Kanye West and former Danity Kane singer, Dawn Richard. While some individuals have collaborated with Diddy in the past, the relevance of other names, such as actor and comedian Mike Myers, on the list was initially unclear.
On May 6th, Judge Arun Subramanian refined the questioning to probe whether prospective jurors “personally knew” any of the mentioned celebrities, a shift from asking if they were merely “familiar” with the names.
Diddy was taken into custody in September 2024, facing grave accusations including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transporting individuals for prostitution. He pleaded not guilty to all charges, vehemently denying the allegations.
“We are disappointed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s decision to pursue what we view as an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs,” stated Diddy’s attorney, Marc Agnifilo. “He is not a criminal. Mr. Combs has cooperated with this investigation and voluntarily returned to New York in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve judgment until you have all the facts. These actions reflect an innocent man, and he looks forward to clearing his name.”
Following his arrest, Diddy has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Judge Subramanian rejected all four of his requests for bail.
Below is a compilation of celebrities whose names have been mentioned during the Diddy trial:
Celebrities Mentioned in the Diddy Trial
Michael B. Jordan
The actor previously had a relationship with Diddy’s former girlfriend, Cassie. Her lawsuit against Diddy in November 2023 mentioned her relationship with Jordan. Diddy and Cassie settled out of court, with Diddy denying her claims.
During her May 15th testimony, Cassie stated that she began dating Jordan in 2015 after discovering Diddy was allegedly spending time with another girlfriend while she was filming a movie. Consequently, Cassie ended communication with Diddy and pursued a relationship with Jordan. She also told the jury a member of Diddy’s staff knew about her relationship with Jordan. Cassie and Jordan’s relationship ended eventually, and she married Alex Fine in 2019.
Harve Pierre
Pierre, a record executive, has worked with Diddy’s Bad Boy Entertainment. During her May 19th testimony, Richard claimed that Pierre witnessed Diddy abusing Cassie.
Mike Myers
The reason for Myers’ inclusion remains unclear. USA Today noted that Diddy is referenced in one of Myers’ Austin Powers movies. The mystery surrounding his name being mentioned has sparked curiosity and speculation.
Dallas Austin
Austin, a record producer, previously dated Diddy’s late partner, Kim Porter, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 47.
Dawn Richard
Richard was a member of Danity Kane, formed on Diddy’s Making the Band in 2005. She sued Diddy for sexual assault and battery in September 2024, just before his arrest. Diddy’s lawyer, Erica Wolff, refuted the allegations, stating, “Mr. Combs is shocked and disappointed by this lawsuit. Dawn Richard is attempting to rewrite history with false claims to coincide with her album release.”
Richard’s case is ongoing, and she testified on May 16th and 19th, asserting that she witnessed Diddy physically abuse Cassie.
Michelle Williams
On the first day of jury selection, jurors were questioned about the Destiny’s Child singer, highlighting the wide net cast during the selection process.
Kanye West
The controversial rapper released a song with Diddy in March, months after Diddy’s arrest, drawing attention to their continued professional relationship amidst legal troubles.
Kid Cudi
The rapper, who had a relationship with Cassie during a break from Diddy, was mentioned in Cassie’s lawsuit. Cassie stated that Diddy became “so angry” when he found out she was dating Cudi in 2012. The lawsuit stated, “Around that time, Kid Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway.” Cudi’s spokesperson confirmed the exploding car incident. The alleged incident adds another layer of complexity.
Diddy denied the accusations in a statement from his attorney.
“Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,” attorney Ben Brafman said. “For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s $30 million demand, threatening a damaging book, rejected as blatant blackmail. Now, Ms. Ventura has filed a lawsuit riddled with baseless lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s reputation and seeking a payday.”
During her May 14th testimony, Cassie claimed Diddy was “irate” upon learning of her relationship with Cudi. She recounted an instance where Diddy allegedly confronted her, wielding a “wine bottle opener.” Following that, she said she contacted Cudi and when she returned to her hotel room, she found it had been trashed. Cudi testified on May 22nd, and besides confirming the car incident, he also alleged that Diddy broke into his home in 2011 and vandalized his space.
Cassie
Cassie, who dated Diddy from 2007 to 2018, testified in the trial from May 13th through May 16th. Jurors were asked whether they had seen a 2016 video published by CNN showing Diddy assaulting her in a hotel.
Laurieann Gibson
The choreographer worked with Diddy on Making the Band and P. Diddy’s Starmaker. Richard testified on May 19th about reaching out to Gibson after leaving Diddy’s label. She reported Gibson’s advisement to connect with Diddy first.
Lauren London
The actress has publicly stated that Diddy provided significant support following the death of her partner, Nipsey Hussle, in 2019 reflecting a more supportive side of Diddy’s public persona.
Usher
In her May 19th testimony, Richard claimed that Usher and other associates were present when Diddy allegedly punched Cassie in the stomach at a restaurant in 2010. “She immediately bent over, [Diddy] told her to leave,” Richard alleged. “No one intervened.” The testimony suggests a culture of inaction surrounding the alleged abuse.
Wiz Khalifa
The jury viewed photos from the rapper’s 2011 “Black and Yellow” music video, featuring Cassie. The defense aimed to demonstrate that Cassie’s career was not stifled by Diddy, as she claimed, using the video as evidence, which highlights the contentious nature of the trial.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.