A woman testifying under the pseudonym "Jane" broke down in a New York courtroom Monday as she recounted years of alleged sexual coercion by Sean "Diddy" Combs, describing the traumatic parallels between her own experiences and those detailed in a separate lawsuit filed by singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura.
"I almost fainted, in fact I think I did," Jane told jurors on the fifth week of Combs' sex trafficking and racketeering trial. "I just reacted like, 'I can't believe I'm reading my own story.'"
Jane, who dated Combs from 2021 to 2024, said her relationship devolved from a whirlwind romance into what prosecutors described as a system of sex trafficking by fraud. She testified that after she agreed to participate in what Combs called "freak-offs"-choreographed group sex encounters with male escorts-she was unable to extricate herself from the escalating pattern.
Reading Ventura's 35-page civil complaint, which was filed in November 2023 and quickly settled, was a turning point, Jane said. "I was bewildered," she told the court. "I was in shock ... I just couldn't sleep. It felt like a nightmare."
Both Jane and Ventura described eerily similar scenes involving hotel rooms prepared with candles, mood lighting, and sheets to catch baby oil used during the sessions. Jane testified that Combs would direct the women and expect them to take ecstasy, dress in lingerie, and perform sex acts with hired men. "I'm not an animal, I'm not a porn star," Jane said in a message shown to jurors.
Jane said she texted Combs on October 25, 2023, saying the freak-offs were "desensitizing sex to me" and that she felt "violated" after "three years of having to fuck strangers." In another message, she wrote, "You beat the love out of us. You made it crystal clear exactly what you want me for."
The court heard a recorded call obtained from Combs' chief of staff's seized devices, in which Combs initially comforts Jane before accusing her of recording the conversation. Jane responded, "That's not how I saw things," when Combs insisted their encounters were "just kinky fun."
Prosecutors identified Jane as Victim-2 in the government's case and alleged she was manipulated through financial dependence, emotional pressure, and threats. Jane testified that after objecting to the freak-offs, Combs threatened to withdraw financial support, including the $10,000 monthly rent he paid. "I don't want to feel obligated to perform these nights with you in fear of losing the roof over my head," she texted him.
In another October message, Jane accused Combs of endangering her health by exposing her to sex with men he arranged and paid for. "You placed and paid all of these harmful men on me," she wrote. "This was never love, I regret everything and all this dark toxic shit that entered my life."
During her testimony, Jane described moments of self-doubt about her own consent. Referencing a phone call in which Combs allegedly said tapes of the encounters would show her enjoying herself, Jane said: "I'm still trying to figure that out."
She also testified to being asked to fly drugs across state lines and said that when she avoided Combs' calls, his team would bombard her with messages. Prosecutors allege this control extended to physical abuse. Jane told the court that Combs once dragged her by her hair and kicked her while she was curled on the floor. Ventura has also alleged repeated physical violence during their 11-year relationship.
More than two dozen witnesses, including former assistants, alleged escorts, and musician Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi), have testified in the case. Combs has pleaded not guilty to five felony charges, including sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.
