The trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs has generated almost unprecedented speculation. Given that Combs was one of the most powerful moguls in the music industry for several decades – who either worked with, befriended or hosted at his infamous white parties almost every big name in Hollywood – all eyes are on those testifying in court.
He faces criminal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution as well as a slew of civil allegations accusing him of sexual assault, abuse and drugging over a 20-year period. Combs has pleaded not guilty in court and denies all allegations made against him. If found guilty, however, he faces a life sentence.
Someone who was once mentored by Combs, has worked with him many times over the years, and whose name has come up in court is Usher, real name Usher Raymond IV. While Usher has not been accused of any wrongdoing, the case has prompted onlookers to revisit their relationship.
How did Usher meet P Diddy?
Usher met Combs when he was 14 years old and Combs was 23. They met after the R&B singer signed a record deal with LA Reid, who reportedly sent him to live with Combs in New York for a year. The experience was known colloquially as 'flavour camp'. In a 2004 interview with Rolling Stone, Usher recalled how Combs introduced him to 'a totally different set of s*** — sex, specifically'.
'Sex is so hot in the industry, man,' he continued. 'There was always girls around. You’d open a door and see somebody doing it, or several people in a room having an orgy. You never knew what was going to happen.'
In 2016, Usher was asked again what it was like living with Combs for a year as a teenager and said it was 'pretty wild' and that he witnessed 'curious things'. Speaking on The Howard Stern Show he added, 'I went there to see the lifestyle. And I saw it. But I don’t know if I could indulge and understand what I was even looking at. It was pretty wild. It was crazy.'
Stern then asked, 'You’re a dad now. Would you ever send your kid to a Puffy camp?' And he replied, 'Hell no.'
Justin Bieber also stayed with Combs as a teenager, albeit only for two days. This information has prompted speculation as to whether Bieber will testify in court, but he has since spoken out to say he is 'not a victim' and will not be involved.
How long did Usher and Diddy work together?
Combs produced Usher's self-titled debut album in 1994. Over the years, they collaborated on several songs, including 'I Need a Girl Pt. 1' and 'I Don't Know'. Usher has credited Combs as his mentor in the past, but now the nature of their relationship has been brought into question.
Why has Usher's name come up in Diddy's trial?
Danity Kane singer Dawn Richard, who was previously signed to Combs' label Bad Boy Records, testified on 19 May that Usher was among the people at a West Hollywood restaurant who witnessed Combs punch Ventura in the stomach in 2010. 'They were having a private conversation, and he punched her in the stomach,' Richard told the court. 'She immediately leaned over and left.'
Richards said Combs then told Ventura 'to leave' the restaurant, but on their way out she alleged that he grabbed her 'by the neck and popped her, slapped her in the mouth'.
Is Usher going to testify in Diddy's trial?
Usher has not been accused of wrongdoing or been implicated in Combs' trial beyond the aforementioned comments. It is unclear if he will testify in the coming weeks, but the judge previously described the list of famous 'names and places' that could come up during the trial as 'mammoth' and like 'an appendix from Lord of the Rings'.
Those names have included Jennifer Lopez, who dated Combs between 1999 and 2001, Kid Cudi, who briefly dated Cassie Ventura during her break with Combs, and Michael B. Jordan, who reportedly had a brief flirtation with Ventura during the period of their on-off relationship. None of whom are implicated in the trial or confirmed to testify.
Who has testified in Diddy's trial so far?
Several people have testified in Combs' trial so far, including Combs' ex-girlfriend of 10 years, Ventura, Dawn Richard, former escort Daniel Phillip, who lifted the lid on Combs' elusive 'freak off' events, exotic dancer Sharay Hayes and Ventura's mother, Regina Ventura, her former best friend, Kerry Morgan, Combs' former assistant David James and his former personal chef Jourdan Atkinson.
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across entertainment, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).