"Freaks," Millions, and the Champagne of Shame: The Turbulent Trial Against Diddy Continues

In a Manhattan courtroom where the appropriateness of jurors’ ties is usually debated, today’s focus is on far more piquant details from the life of former star Cassie Ventura and her longtime boyfriend, known to the world as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, or simply Diddy. This time, the rap mogul—once considered a prophet of show business—appears in a very different role: the accused, facing a whole bouquet of charges ranging from sex trafficking to racketeering.

At the center of events are the tears and revelations of Cassie Ventura herself. On the second day of testimony, the singer and model told the jury about the "freaks"—special parties where the guest lists resembled more a casting call for a Netflix thriller than an Oscar afterparty. According to Cassie, Diddy not only inspired creativity but also blackmailed her with compromising material, neatly organized in folders as if they were scripts for new hits. The accused himself flipped through these albums as if picking a track for a party, then handed them back to his lawyer.

The courtroom fell silent as the jury was shown photos from the "freaks" (the gallery missed out on the show—alas, VIP access only). Then came the turn for pictures of Cassie's bruises and evidence more familiar to the courtroom chronicles of Los Angeles.

The defense, meanwhile, decided to play an old, familiar record: "If there was rap, then it was all for love!" Their lawyers echoed this, insisting that every episode was "mutual," except perhaps for a few minor technicalities. Cassie, however, maintains: "I can no longer carry this burden of shame and guilt. I came here to do the right thing"—and the courtroom wipes away a tear.

A separate place in the drama is reserved for the "romantic" storyline: in 2011, Cassie briefly dated Kid Cudi, for which Diddy, according to the allegations, not only threatened her but also took rather creative revenge—Kid’s car mysteriously exploded.

"Freaks" and blackmail, threats with a Hollywood twist, million-pound settlements (just one day—and £20 million in the plaintiff’s account), beatings, and personal confessions—this trial already resembles a series where the scriptwriter clearly lacked an editor.

The trial continues, and the defense promises a few more uncomfortable questions. The finale is far off, but for the first time, Diddy seems not to be controlling the party’s soundtrack.