Cassandra Ventura, known as Cassie, has been a witness for the prosecution in the trial of P Diddy, which has reached its second week in a Manhattan courtroom.
Cassie has testified in the federal sex trafficking, racketeering and prostitution case against Combs, whom she accuses of abusing her and coercing her into unwanted sex acts - so-called 'freak-offs' - during their relationship. Combs has vehemently denied all charges against him.
Throughout the trial, Cassie has been supported by loved ones including her husband, Alex Fine. This week, her mother, Regina Ventura, took to the witness stand to testify in the trial.
Who is Regina Ventura?
Regina Ventura is Cassie Ventura's mum, and the two reportedly share a close relationship. Cassie called Regina, and her father Rodrick, her 'greatest support system' in a 2021 Instagram post for Father's Day. Cassie was raised by her mother and father in Connecticut.
'My childhood was fun,' Cassie said in a 2008 interview with Blackfilm, adding that it was 'pretty carefree.' She said: 'I tried a little of everything when I was little [...] I tried karate, I tried ballet, I tried piano lessons and singing lessons. ... I was a pretty normal kid, for the most part.'
Her parents have mostly kept out of the spotlight. However, Cassie has previously offered glimpses into how they supported her. In a 2007 interview with The New York Times, Cassie said of Regina and Roderick 'My parents raised me right,' continuing, 'I work hard, and I want to prove I deserve what I have. I talk to them every day,' she said, adding that they 'keep [her] focused.' Regina and Roderick reportedly encouraged Cassie's passion for music and dance from a young age, letting her sign up for dance and modelling with the agency Wilhelmina.
In December 2018, she posted a photo on Instagram with Alex and Regina, writing 'I love you Mommy.'
What has Regina Ventura said in the Diddy trial?
Regina Ventura testified that Cassie emailed her and Diddy's assistant in December 2011 while flying home for Christmas. Cassie said that Diddy was threatening to release explicit videos of her after discovering she was dating rapper Kid Cudi. Cassie also said in the email that Combs had told her that he would 'be having someone hurt' her and Cudi. 'I was physically sick,' Regina testified. 'I was scared for my daughter’s safety.'
Regina said that Diddy demanded $20,000 to reclaim what he said he had spent on Cassie. 'He was angry that he spent money on her (Cassie) and that she had been with another person,' she said.
This led Regina and Roderick to take out a home-equity loan to get the money for Combs, because she was 'scared about my daughter’s safety.' Regina allegedly received instructions from Diddy's bookkeeper for wiring the money. However, four to five days after sending it, the money was returned.
During her evidence, jurors were shown photos of bruises on Cassie's body Regina said were taken when her daughter returned home for Christmas in 2011.
Alice Hall is the Staff Writer at Grazia UK. At Grazia, she writes news and features about pop culture, health, politics and interiors.