Testimony continued Tuesday in the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, with jurors hearing from a clinical psychologist and the music mogul’s former assistant. Diddy, who has pleaded not guilty, faces charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and obstruction of justice. Called by the prosecution, Dr. Dawn Hughes offered expert insight into the psychological toll of abusive relationships. Having testified in past trials involving R. Kelly and NXIVM’s Keith Raniere, Dr. Hughes described how shame, humiliation, and isolation can trap victims and shape their behavior. She noted that some survivors use drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with repeated trauma, adding, “They experience a tremendous amount of shame, humiliation, degradation.” Ex-Aide Testifies as Prosecutors Outline Abuse and Coercion Claims Later in the day, jurors heard from George Kaplan, a former personal assistant to Diddy, who was granted immunity to testify. Kaplan outlined a range of responsibilities he held—including cleaning up after what prosecutors referred to as “freak-offs.” He described finding empty bottles and baby oil in hotel suites and said maintaining Diddy’s public image was always a priority. “Protecting him and protecting his public image was very important,” Kaplan told the jury. Prosecutors allege that Diddy used influence, intimidation, and financial leverage to coerce women into participating in drug-fueled sex acts, often involving third parties. Among those named in the case is singer and former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, whose prior testimony alleged emotional and physical abuse throughout their relationship. The defense acknowledges past domestic violence but argues Ventura consented to the encounters, citing messages and emails that suggest a complicated relationship. The trial picks up again Wednesday, May 22, with additional witnesses expected to testify—including rapper Kid Cudi, who is anticipated to speak on a past incident involving Diddy and his car.

Plies is done watching the Diddy trial. Taking to Instagram, the Florida rapper shared why a testimony from one of the prosecution’s witnesses made him not want to tune in anymore. “I don’t know if y’all keeping up with the trial sh*t… After yesterday, I said, ‘I ain’t watching it no motherf**king more,’” Plies said in his Instagram video. “They called one of the witnesses… I guess one of the motherf**king male escorts that they called out to the motherf**king hall.” “He get on the stand yesterday, and they asked him his motherf**king name. … He said his nickname is the Punisher. He said his motherf**king nickname is the Punisher! And the reason this shit threw me off, that’s my motherf**king nickname,” he continued. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Plies (@plies) Plies laughing uncontrollably, Plies continued, “I said, ‘Goddamn, he’s trying to steal my name,’” he continued. “I thought I was the only motherf**king Punisher out here. I thought that was my name. I’m thinking I done got caught up in [the trial]. I’m thinking they indicted me! Ain’t no motherf**king way he is trying to steal my name … There’s only one motherf**king Punisher out here, man! And it ain’t you.” In his post, the “Bust It Baby” rapper was referring to Sharay Hayes, a male escort who moniker”The Punisher.” According to his testimony,  he met Diddy and Cassie at a room in Trump Tower in New York City in 2012 and was told to create a “sexy scene.” The session included Hayes and Cassie spreading baby oil on each other. ‘I was specifically told not to acknowledge her husband,” Hayes told the court. For his services, Hayes was allegedly paid between $800-$2000 for several sexual encounters.

Ice Spice had Madison Square Garden buzzing Friday night as she pulled up courtside with New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, turning Game 6 of the Knicks vs. Celtics series into a full-blown pop culture moment. The Bronx-born rapper, fresh off a string of major appearances, walked in hand-in-hand with Gardner, sending the internet into overdrive. The two have been quietly stirring up dating rumors since late 2024. It all started when Ice Spice showed up to a Jets home game and flicked it up with team owner Woody Johnson. Things escalated a few months later when a TikTok clip caught them riding an escalator together, Ice Spice surrounded by security, adding fuel to the fire. The pair kept popping up at events, including the red carpet premiere for Druski’s Coulda Been Love, keeping fans guessing. In April 2025, Gardner shared a photo carousel on Instagram that included Ice Spice standing next to his grey Rolls-Royce. When she commented “1,” fans took it as a subtle confirmation. The soft launch didn’t last long though, by the end of the month, Ice Spice posted a mirror selfie with Gardner, making their relationship social media official. Since then, the two have been showing up side by side at some of the biggest events in entertainment, from Vanity Fair’s Oscars after-party to a packed UFC match. Gardner, the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowler, and Ice Spice, who’s taken over the rap game with her unique voice and drill sound, are clearly leveling up together. Their latest public outing, cheering on the Knicks with celebs like Timothée Chalamet and Lenny Kravitz just seats away, solidifies their status as one of New York City’s most magnetic new power couples.

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is one of the greatest diss tracks of all time. The scathing song aimed at Drake has become a global phenomenon as it has received airplay at clubs and sporting events. Although it was released in May 2024, “Not Like Us” is still setting new records. The song’s latest accolade is that it broke the record for being the longest rap song to chart on the Billboard 100, according to the NFR Podcast. Produced by Mustard, “Not Like Us” has spent several weeks at the number one spot, and it spent almost a full year in the Top 10. Currently, “Not Like Us” is in the  23 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, “Not Like Us” the longest-running number one hit on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart, surpassing Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road”.  Kendrick Lamar breaks Kendrick Lamar’s record (again) for HIGHEST-GROSSING show ever by a Rapper — ($14.81M) 60, 941 total tickets were sold at his show in Seattle. pic.twitter.com/2BDyNWDe7n — NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) May 20, 2025 Previously, “Not Like Us” won five Grammy Awards at the 2025 ceremony, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The song also won Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video. This marks a significant win for hip-hop, as only one other rap song If that’s not impressive enough,  Lamar broke his own record (again) for the highest-grossing show ever by a rapper, raking in $ 14.81 M. In total, 60, 941 total tickets were sold at the show featuring SZA  at Lumen Field in Seattle. In their review of the show, the Seattle Times described the performance as a “grand-scale presentation of vintage hip-hop storytelling from the Pulitzer Prize winner before a spellbound crowd the size of Bothell.”

Spike Lee believes his latest film with Denzel Washington may be their last project as collaborators.  Following the premiere of their latest film, Highest 2 Lowest, Lee spoke on Tuesday, May 20, about the possibility of this being their “Last Dance.” “It’s been a blessing to have this body of work of us doing films that the people love, so it’s a blessing, again. I think this is it — five,” Lee said during a press conference at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Washington was not in attendance because he returned to New York City for his performances of Othello on Broadway. Lee said that Washington has been talking more and more about retiring. “He’s been talking about retirement, even though he just did another deal,” Lee explained. “The five films together, you know, they stand up. Malcolm X, I mean, what he did with that film, it’s amazing.” Before he left, he was surprised with the prestigious honorary Palme d’Or at the Highest 2 Lowest premiere at Cannes. “To be here once again in Cannes, you know, we’re a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well,” Washington continued. “You know, we’re just blessed beyond measure, I’m blessed beyond measure, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. Thank you.” “The script was around for many years and Denzel got attached and we got back together,” Lee said of the project’s development during the Cannes press conference. “The funny thing about that is Denzel and I did not know that our previous film, Inside Man, was 18 years ago,” Lee said. “So there’s an 18-year gap between Inside Man and this film, but we were surprised because it felt like it was yesterday. We didn’t lose a step.” Highest 2 Lowest premieres in select theaters Aug. 22 and releases on Apple TV+ Sept. 5.

Tuesday’s courtroom session in the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial brought new revelations — starting with the weapons found during last year’s federal raid in Miami. Testifying on the stand, Special Agent Gerard Gannon confirmed several of the guns seized from Diddy’s Star Island mansion had their serial numbers removed. The images shown in court featured firearms, ammunition, and magazines — alongside other seized items that raised eyebrows, including sexually explicit materials. Later, the jury heard from Sharay Hayes, a dancer who went by the name “The Punisher,” who described working closely with Diddy and Cassie Ventura. Hayes said many of the performances felt orchestrated by Diddy, painting a picture of someone who blurred the lines between employer and director. While he claimed the acts appeared consensual, the testimony raised questions about control and pressure in high-end settings. Testimonies Shed Light on Diddy’s Inner Circle and Miami Raid Diddy’s former personal assistant, David James, returned to the witness stand with a behind-the-scenes look at life inside Combs’ inner circle. He recalled a confrontation between Diddy and his private chef, after which Combs allegedly asked James to file a police report on his behalf — a request James refused, calling it dishonest. His story hinted at an environment driven by power moves and blurred boundaries, where employees were expected to protect the brand, even if it meant bending the truth. Agent Gannon also broke down the scope of the Miami raid, describing how law enforcement combed through the 20,000-square-foot home with multiple coordinated teams. His testimony gave shape to the early stages of the investigation, as prosecutors built their case around the items seized from the estate. Up next: all eyes are on Kid Cudi, who could take the stand as early as Wednesday. Prosecutors are also expected to call former chef Jourdan Atkinson and other witnesses tied closely to Diddy’s inner circle.

Boosie Badazz claims that Cassie and her husband, Alex Fine, devised a scheme to bring Diddy down. As the Bad Boy Records founder is facing a life sentence in prison if found guilty in his sex trafficking trial, Bossie’s conspiracy theory suggests that the couple “masterminded” Diddy’s fall from grace. “[Cassie’s] HUSBAND HAD BEEN TRYING TO GET HER TO DO THIS FOR YEARS TO DIDDY BUT SHE DIDNT WANT TO DO IT BECAUSE SHE KNEW WHAT WILL COME OUT,” he shared on social media. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) Boosie also said that the couple was dealing with financial hardships and which sparked them to file a lawsuit against Diddy.   “THEN AS A COUPLE YALL [BECAME] BROKE,” he continued. He even mentioned Yung Miami saying Cassie was jealous of her because she publicly supported Diddy. “NOW THE PLOT BECOMES REALER BY THE MONTH !! I THINK THE LAST STRAW WAS THE DIDDY N CARESHA REALTIONSHIP,” his post continued. “WHEN SHE SAW CARESHA WITH THAT SIGN SUPPORTING HER MAN AT THAT AWARDS THAT DID IT. A WOMAN SCORNED IS A DANGEROUS EVIL MF #yeahisaidit.” After four days of testimony, Cassie and Fine both issued statements about the ordeal that they experienced leading up to and during the trial. This is the first time that a Louisiana rapper has come out in support of Diddy. Following Diddy’s arrest in September 2024, he shared how much he disagreed with the accusations. “I feel DIDDY N JAIL FOR BASICALLY DOING WHAT EVERY OTHER FAMOUS ENTERTAINER HAS DONE “FLEW BITCHES OUT FOR 3 SOMES “HE JUST FREAKIER. WE ACTUALLY GO CALL WOMEN  PROSTITUTES WHO FLY N WILLINGLY TO BE WITH THEY PARTNERS FOR SEX? IF THATS THE CASE IF U BEEN FLEWED OUT N HAD SEX YOU SHOULD BE LABELED A PROSTITUTE,” he tweeted at the time. “IF THATS THE CASE THATS 80% OF THE WOMEN READING THIS .N TRAFFICKING #hellna YOU’RE A CELEBRITY YOU GOTTA FLY PUSSY N ,HOW ELSE U GOT GET THE PUSSY? YOURE NEVER N ONE PLACE WHEN I SAW THAT VIDEO I WAS PISSED OFF AT THIS NIGGA LIKE HE REALLY GOT  A PROBLEM,” his post continued. “BUT FACING “LIFE N PRISON “FOR DOING BASICALLY WHAT SO MANY OTHER ENTERTAINER HAS DONE #idisagree”

Rapper Kid Cudi is reportedly set to take the stand later this week in the ongoing trial involving music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. The development follows claims made by Diddy’s former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who alleged in a lawsuit that Diddy once “blew up” Kid Cudi’s car in a fit of jealousy. According to the lawsuit, Combs became enraged upon learning that Cassie was romantically involved with Kid Cudi. “Mr. Combs grew so angry about her dating the rapper Kid Cudi that he said he would blow up the rapper’s car,” the filing states. It further alleges that shortly thereafter, “Kid Cudi’s car exploded in his driveway.” Kid Cudi, through a spokesperson, has since confirmed the incident, stating, “This is all true.” Kid Cudi will take the stand this week as a witness for the prosecution in Sean Combs’ trial. Combs was accused of having Cudi’s car blown up amid his relationship with Cassiehttps://t.co/rRlrJWywQp pic.twitter.com/mbiWTnCroE — Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) May 20, 2025 As previously reported, Cassie’s former best friend, Keri Morgan, testified in the Diddy trial as well. Morgan testified that she’s witnessed Diddy assault Cassie on multiple occasions. She even alleges that Diddy once struck her in an attempt to find out who Cassie was “cheating” on him with.  Morgan recalls visiting Cassie’s home, and listening to music when Combs walked into the living room where she was sitting. As Cassie was in the restroom, Diddy came up behind Morgan, chocked her and hit her on the side of her head with a wooden hanger. She says she sought medical attention following the alleged assault and was diagnosed with a concussion. ⁠Morgan says she hired an attorney following the incident, however, she decided not to press charges against the music mogul. He instead offering her $30,000 and signed an NDA. She says since that incident she has never spoken to Cassie again.

Megan Thee Stallion has called out Tory Lanez for claiming that Kelsey Harris shot her during that infamous incident. Taking to TikTok, Megan had time to let everyone know how she feels about Lanez, referring to him as “Demon.”  “At what point are yall gonna stop making me have to re live being shot BY TORY !? At what point are Tory and yall FANS gonna stop lying?,” her post read. “ Like, how much is the check to keep harassing me? Why is this happening EVERY DAY?” “One min him/ yall said I was never shot now yall letting him play in yall face AGAIN and say I was shot but it wasn’t him oh okay… ?!” she continued. “I’m sick of this shit LEAVE ME TF ALONE!!!! HE AINT DARE GET ON THAT STAND AND DENY HE SHOT ME AND THAT WAS HIS CHOICE BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE DID THAT SHIT! IDGAF ABT A BLOG OR A BOT!!! WHY IN TF WOULD ME … MEGAN THEE STALLION HAVE TO LIE ON THIS MF ABT SHOOTING ME!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by HOT 97 (@hot97) In the post, Megan continued to call out Lanez’s denial of shooting her.  “FACTS ARE FACTS, he did it, it was PROVEN IN COURT fuck the hate campaign on the internet TORY YOU SHOT ME !! Ain’t no new fucking evidence yall been saying the same shit for years,” the post continued. Concluding the post, she asked that Lanez leave her alone. Last week, Alex Spiro, has released a statement about Tory Lanez’s attorneys reportedly having evidence that proves Megan was shot by Kelsey Harris. In August 2023, Lanez was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers and his case was properly adjudicated through the court system. This is not a political matter — this is a case of a violent assault that was resolved in the court of law,” the statement read.

Paul George is not a fan of Chris Paul. Formerly close friends, the two are no longer on the same page. Appearing on an episode of The Pivot podcast, George spoke about how everything changed between him and Paul. “I just know that I’ve had friendships, personal relationships with guys,” George said. “It’s one thing to build a relationship, then you get on the court and start saying wild shit. Like, damn, have you always felt this way?” “My feelings were hurt with that, I thought we was tighter than that,” George continued. “And then we get between these lines and certain words were thrown out that I didn’t expect from you.” George then shared about his former friendship with Chris Paul.  “I was talking to CP. He was the reason I got Lasik. I would work out with CP in the summers. It was a brotherhood,” he said. Paul George says he used to have a very close relationship with Chris Paul until Chris Paul said something out of pocket to him on the basketball court and now he feels like it’s on sight whenever he has a regular season matchup with Chris Paul pic.twitter.com/BkTvP67jZN — Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) May 17, 2025 Everything went left doing a playoff series when they competed against each other, George said. “We get into a series, and words get thrown out there. Hold on, what? Where did this come from?”, he explained. George then expressed that when he sees Paul, it’s on.  “It is what it is. It’s up whenever I see him,” George said. On Podcast P, George’s pod, he first shared that there were issues between him and Paul. “I’m not the fondest of CP these days,” George said. “Me and CP used to have a great relationship. He was the reason I got LASIK.” “Now, fast forward, I think it was a playoff matchup against Phoenix, or it was a regular season game. Can’t remember which one it was, but we get into it,” he continued.”Words were thrown out there that shouldn’t be thrown out there between two men. That kind of just drew the line for me.”