Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, the ex-girlfriend of Sean “Diddy” Combs, testified on Tuesday that the longest drug-fueled “freak-off” she participated in lasted four days – the latest revelation in the music mogul’s sex-trafficking trial.
From the stand in Manhattan federal court, Ventura, 38, tearfully recounted how the infamous freak-offs “became a job” for her, lasting anywhere from 36 to 48 hours on average once a week and requiring multiple days of recovery afterward due to the intense drug use during them.
“Freak offs became a job where there was no space to do anything else but to recover and just try to feel normal again,” Ventura said.
Ventura, who is currently eight months pregnant, appeared visibly uncomfortable while recounting the intimate details of her and Combs’s 10-year-old relationship, which was on-and-off and filled with turbulent moments. She often shifted in her seat, toyed with her hair or took audible deep breaths to get through the grueling testimony.
She’s serving as a star witness in the government’s case against Combs, 55, who they accuse of sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution purposes and racketeering conspiracy.
Ventura testified that she was barely 22 when Combs first asked her to participate in a freak off, which he introduced as “voyeurism” to her, and that she was “confused” and “nervous” but loved him and wanted to make him happy.
With the assistance of drugs like ecstasy, Ventura agreed to participate in a freak off – which soon became a regularly occurrence – and while she did not enjoy participating, she did so at Combs’s request because it made him happy.
While Combs was happy about Ventura’s participation in freak offs, she felt a mix of emotions when they were finished: dirty, ashamed, confused, but also relieved that Combs was “really happy” that she “did something right.”
“I just didn’t want to make him upset. I just didn’t want to make him angry and regret telling me about this experience that was so personal,” Ventura testified, straight-faced and sullen.
Over the next decade, the two would participate in so many freak offs that Ventura said it would be “impossible” to count them.
They always included drugs such as ecstasy, MDMA, marijuana, ketamine, alcohol and more. Combs would direct Ventura, and a male escort that was hired to have sexual intercourse with her, to use dozens of bottles of baby oil and lube. Ventura said Combs would direct the two for hours, changing the lighting to his liking and participating when he wanted to.
Ventura said she did not enjoy doing any of the acts with male escorts and only wanted to spend time with Combs. She said when she would hint at wanting to not participate in a freak offs, Combs would be “dismissive.”
Prosecutors asked Ventura about the volatility in her relationship with Combs, which she admitted could get physically, psychologically and emotionally abusive. She testified about Combs’ controlling nature over her life, saying, he had control over her career, appearance, apartment sand more.
“I just didn’t have much say in [my life] at the time,” Ventura said.
Asked if there was anything she enjoyed about freak offs, Ventura said through tears she only enjoyed them for “the time spent with him.”
The R&B singer went on to describe why she felt it was so hard to decline Combs’s requests, saying she feared violence and videos from freak offs being disseminated on the internet. She also testified that Combs would blackmail her with pictures and videos of her encounters with escorts. Ventura emphasized that she was also afraid if she denied Combs’s request, he would just ask someone else to participate.
While initially being “enamored” by Combs, Ventura said she eventually saw “a different side of him, which was his abusive side.”
Ventura said there were moments she would witness Combs’s eyes “go black” and his entire face would shift – signaling that something “bad” would happen soon. That could be Combs taking something away from Ventura, like her phone or laptop, physically hurting her or engaging in sexual relationships with other women.
Prosecutors asked Ventura how often Combs would become violent with her.
“Too often,” Ventura said in a quiet voice from the stand.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the government’s charges against him and maintained his innocence.
