Cassie Ventura Breaks Down in Tears When Asked About 'Freak Offs' — and Shares Powerful Words

On the fifth day of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura broke down in tears in Manhattan federal court when she was asked about the “Freak Off” sex parties that Combs allegedly coerced her into taking part in.

“I had to do ‘Freak Offs’,” she said on Friday, May 16, during re-direct on the witness stand. Ventura said Combs’ moods “affected my whole life, my career, how I felt about myself, my self worth.” If Combs wanted a Freak Off, she testified, her work had to be put on hold.

To prepare for the Freak Offs, Ventura said she got herself ready from head to toe, set up the room, and arranged for escorts. She testified that Combs introduced her to a world she “didn’t know or understand at the time.”

Ventura, who is more than eight months pregnant and nearing her due date, also spoke about the 2023 lawsuit she filed against Combs, alleging rape, physical abuse and more. On the stand two days earlier, she revealed for the first time that it was settled for $20 million.

Ventura testified that she canceled a music tour after reaching the settlement with Combs because she felt overwhelmed and didn’t want to be away from her children. Earlier, the defense suggested the reason was financial after securing the payout.

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She broke down in tears on the witness stand, reaching for a tissue, when Prosecutor Emily Johnson asked the question, “Would you give that money back if it meant you never had to have Freak Offs?”

“If I never had to have Freak Offs, I would have agency and autonomy,” Ventura replied. “I wouldn’t have had to work so hard to get it back.”

Ventura also testified that she had to perform Freak Offs even when she had a urinary tract infection, and she said she was assaulted more than once during them. When she discussed this, she broke down in tears again, saying that performing Freak Offs was something she felt she had to do to maintain her relationship with Combs.

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Ventura has been the prosecution’s star witness at Combs’ high-profile federal trial and began testifying on Tuesday, May 13. She previously described being trapped in a decade-long relationship with Combs — alleging he isolated her, watched her and threatened to release compromising footage if she defied him.

Combs is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.

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.