Diddy’s Former Assistant Testifies in Explosive Trial: Years of Control, Abuse, and Emotional Devastation
As the federal trial against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs continues to unfold, damning new testimony from a former assistant has cast a disturbing light on the behind-the-scenes power dynamic between the artist and those who worked closest to him. On the stand for a second day, the woman—who is using the pseudonym “Mia”—shared painful details about her nearly decade-long employment with Combs, painting a picture of a toxic, abusive environment defined by fear, manipulation, and alleged sexual assault.
From 2009 to 2017, Mia served as Combs’ personal assistant, a job that quickly consumed her life. She described the position as “her entire world,” explaining to the jury how she would often go days without sleep, constantly working to meet Combs’ every demand. As her testimony unfolded, it became clear that what appeared on the surface to be a coveted role in the entertainment industry masked a far darker reality.
A Disturbing Allegation of Abuse
According to Mia, her time working for Combs was marked by repeated sexual assaults, beginning just months into her employment. She recounted one of the first incidents, which allegedly occurred at the Plaza Hotel in New York. It was around this same time that Combs met 19-year-old singer Cassie Ventura, who would go on to become both his girlfriend and a signee to a 10-album deal under his label, Bad Boy Records.
Mia’s voice, though steady, was filled with pain as she described not only the assaults but the emotional grip Combs allegedly held over her. She said he would frequently manipulate her with unpredictable behavior—swinging from moments of praise to icy silence—and that he often used her job security as a tool of control. Mia told the jury she felt she had to constantly walk on eggshells, going above and beyond her role in hopes of staying in Combs’ good graces.
Her duties far exceeded those of a typical assistant. She recalled making scrapbook-style birthday gifts for Combs, complete with curated news clippings and video compilations, which his defense later used to question her credibility. “I’m a very loving person,” Mia explained from the witness stand. But Combs’ attorney, Brian Steel, pushed back: “To your rapist? To the man who sexually assaulted you?”
Mia’s Reality: A Life Built Around the Job
Despite the harrowing abuse she described, Mia remained in Combs’ inner circle for nearly eight years. Her testimony painted a nuanced picture—one not uncommon in cases of workplace abuse—where emotional and psychological manipulation can leave victims feeling trapped and dependent on their abuser. She spoke of the deep sense of purpose she felt in helping to build Combs’ empire and the heartbreak that came when it all ended.
In 2016, Mia was fired from her role without any direct communication from Combs himself. At the time, she had been working at Revolt Films, the mogul’s film imprint, on a documentary about the history of Bad Boy Records. According to Mia, an executive from the company told her that Combs no longer wanted to be involved in film and that Revolt Films would be shutting down.
“Out of the blue, he just said, ‘I hate to tell you this but I talked to Mr. Combs and he no longer wants to be involved with film,’” Mia told the court. Her voice cracked as she explained how that moment pulled the rug out from under her—how her life, her identity, and her purpose had all been centered around a job that vanished overnight.
The Aftermath: Emotional Fallout and Legal Action
The emotional toll of her experience became evident as the trial continued. The jury was shown text messages between Mia and Kristina “KK” Khorram, Combs’ chief of staff, where Mia revealed she had contemplated suicide after losing her job. “The worst thing in the world” had happened, she texted. During her testimony, she emphasized that her entire adult life had been built around working for Combs—and when that was taken away, she felt completely unmoored.
“I didn’t want to leave the company that I’d built when I actually started to see my dreams come to fruition,” she said.
After her dismissal, Mia hired an attorney and negotiated a severance package, ultimately receiving $400,000—half of which went to legal fees. Her pursuit of this severance was another focal point of the defense’s cross-examination, as Steel aimed to undermine her claims by implying a financial motive.
Steel also questioned Mia’s continued friendliness toward Combs during her time working for him, pointing out her birthday posts and the affectionate tone in some messages. Mia responded that her duties as his assistant included managing his social media, and that the public-facing displays of affection were simply part of her job.
The Defense Strategy: Cast Doubt and Undermine
Throughout the cross-examination, Combs’ legal team worked aggressively to chip away at Mia’s credibility. They focused on perceived inconsistencies, her decision to stay in the role for so long, and her emotional expressions of gratitude and loyalty—tools often used to cast doubt on abuse survivors who remain in contact with their alleged abusers.
Steel at one point asked Mia directly: “Mr. Combs never had unwanted nonconsensual forcible sexual contact with you. Isn’t that true?”
Mia stood firm. “What I said in this courtroom is true. I have not lied to anyone at all.”
Her statement was resolute and echoed the trauma-informed truth that abuse, particularly in professional power dynamics, rarely presents in a black-and-white narrative. Victims can express love and loyalty toward those who harm them. They can excel at their jobs while suffering in silence. And they can remain in those positions for years out of fear, emotional dependence, or a lack of alternatives.
Trump Weighs In
Adding a surreal twist to the case, former President Donald Trump offered comments on the trial on Friday. When asked if he would consider a presidential pardon for Combs should he be convicted, Trump said he would “look at the facts,” while also noting that he hasn’t spoken to Combs since launching his political career.
Though his remarks have no immediate bearing on the legal proceedings, they speak to the high-profile nature of the case and how it has captured the nation’s attention—not just for the celebrity at its center, but for the broader conversation about power, abuse, and accountability in the entertainment industry.
Looking Ahead
The trial is set to resume on Monday, with Mia’s cross-examination continuing. As her time on the stand unfolds, her story adds another layer to the public reckoning facing Sean “Diddy” Combs, a figure once celebrated for his business savvy and cultural influence, now facing serious allegations that could redefine his legacy.
What’s emerging from the courtroom isn’t just a tale of a powerful man’s alleged misdeeds—it’s a complex, painful story of a woman who gave her life to a job that ultimately broke her. Whether or not the court finds Combs guilty, Mia’s testimony has already struck a nerve, shedding light on the emotional and psychological cost of unchecked power.