Cassie Ventura, the 38-year-old singer and ex-partner of Sean “Diddy” Combs, is breaking her silence and her anonymity for his upcoming federal sex trafficking trial.
Court documents and reports from PEOPLE confirm that she will testify using her real name, abandoning the “Victim-1” label. This contrasts with three other accusers who have chosen to remain anonymous.
The trial, scheduled for May 5 in New York, will see Combs, 55, facing serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation for prostitution. Ventura’s decision to come forward sets the stage for a high-stakes courtroom showdown.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Ex Cassie Ventura to Testify Using Her Name, Not Anonymously, in Sex Trafficking Trial (Exclusive) https://t.co/phiLGThw72
— People (@people) April 6, 2025Her decision comes after a turbulent series of events. In January, Rolling Stone identified her as the first named accuser in the indictment, with 2016 hotel footage from CNN allegedly showing Combs assaulting her, which supports her settled 2023 lawsuit claims.
Casandra Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against Sean 'Diddy' Combs. In the run-up to Combs’ trial, scheduled to start in May, here’s a look at what preceded the legal inquiry. https://t.co/HXDWMsU1fu
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 5, 2025Prosecutors are now alleging that Combs orchestrated “freak offs,” coercive sexual events, and they have added a new charge of forced trafficking related to another victim. Combs’ legal team claims that CNN manipulated the video for dramatic effect, but Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, insists, “It’s accurate and will hold up in court.”
Read: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Issues Apology After Assault Video Leak Involving Cassie Ventura
With media buzz and legal firepower converging, Ventura’s choice to go public intensifies the trial. As Combs denies all charges, her testimony could tip the scales, marking a pivotal moment in this explosive case.
