'Basically I Was a Sex Worker': Cassie Claims Diddy Killed Video with Common to Keep Her Under His Control

Sean “Diddy” Combs signed protégé Casandra “Cassie” Ventura to a 10-record deal with his label when they first met, but his tight control over her life prevented her career from taking off, the R&B singer alleged.

On Friday, May 16, federal prosecutor Emily Johnson asked Ventura, 38, about how she had said the rap mogul made all decisions regarding her career and how she was forced to turn down opportunities when he didn’t want her to pursue them.

In 2012, Johnson noted, a member of Ventura’s management team reached out to her about an opportunity with the rapper Common.

“Is Puff (a nickname for Combs) okay with you doing a Common video?” read one text from the 2012 thread the jury was shown.

“I’ll ask,” she replied. “I don’t know, He’ll probs say no lol.”

Her instincts were correct. In a later text, she wrote, “Puff said no to vid.”

Ventura later testified that she “doesn’t know why” Combs wouldn’t allow her to work with Common.

Eight months pregnant with her third child with husband Alex Fine, Ventura testified that she “couldn’t do many of the things I wanted to” during her 11 years with Combs.

“I had a whole other job,” she explained.

Asked what that job was, Ventura replied, “Basically a sex worker,” referring to the “Freak Offs” — the orchestrated, days-long, drug-fueled sex sessions Combs allegedly forced her to participate in for years.

The judge granted the defense’s motion to strike that response from the record.

Earlier this week she testified that she only had one album released in her 10-album contract.

This is fourth consecutive day that Ventura has testified in Combs’ high-profile federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial.

During her first two days on the stand this week, federal prosecutors asked Ventura how Combs allegedly abused her and coerced her into taking part in the Freak Offs.

For the past two days, Ventura has been cross examined by Combs’ attorneys, who sought to show how the two shared a loving, albeit turbulent, relationship, filled with jealousy.

Defense attorneys also sought to show jurors that she was a willing participant in the sex sessions.

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During one text exchange in the early stages of their relationship in 2009 that Ventura was asked to read aloud, Combs asked her, “When do you want to do freak off?” She responded, “I’m always ready to freak off.”

Arrested in September 2024, Combs pleaded not guilty to five criminal counts including one count of racketeering conspiracy; two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Combs could face up to life in prison if he is convicted on all counts. Since his 2024 arrest, he has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.