As Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial barrels through its third week, the courtroom has become a surprising stage for a roster of unexpected celebrity name-drops, from pop icons like Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to comedic actors like Mike Myers. None of the stars named have been accused of wrongdoing, yet their presence in testimony is casting a wider spotlight on the high-stakes proceedings.
Meanwhile, sources suggest some celebrities are quietly lawyered up, concerned they could be pulled into the case as witnesses.
A Shifting Narrative in the Courtroom
Testimony resumed May 12 in what has become one of the music industry’s most closely watched federal cases in recent memory. With each witness, new layers unfold painting a picture not only of Diddy’s alleged actions but also of the celebrity world orbiting his career.
Among those testifying: an alleged victim referred to only as “Mia,” former assistant Capricorn Clark, and celebrity stylist Deonte Nash. Their accounts have continued to ripple across headlines, especially when A-list names slip into the record.
“Talented Is Whitney and Mariah”, A Former Assistant Sets the Bar
Capricorn Clark, Diddy’s ex-assistant, raised eyebrows with pointed comparisons during her time on the stand.
When asked why she believed Cassie, the singer and former partner of Combs, was “talented” but not “very talented,” Clark didn’t hesitate:
“Um, talented to me is Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey,” she said plainly. “Very talented is that level of performer, entertainer. Cassie was more of a studio artist.”
Clark went on to clarify what she meant by “studio artist”: someone more comfortable behind the mic in a vocal booth, benefiting from engineering tweaks, rather than commanding a live stage.
Mike Myers Mentioned – But for a Different Reason
Another unexpected name emerged during Mia’s testimony: Mike Myers.
She testified that before working for Diddy, she was a personal assistant to the “Austin Powers” actor.
“I was his personal assistant,” Mia told the prosecution.
Interestingly, Myers was also mentioned during pre-trial jury selection, largely due to an old “Austin Powers” joke referencing Diddy, a moment that, while unrelated to the charges, added a touch of surreal familiarity for the court.
Georgina Chapman Also Surfaces in Testimony
Before her time with Myers and Combs, Mia said she worked for fashion designer Georgina Chapman, another celebrity not accused of any wrongdoing.
Chapman, once married to disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, has kept a lower public profile since her 2017 divorce. She now co-runs the Marchesa fashion label and has been dating actor Adrien Brody since 2020.
Nas and Kelis Spotted During a Tense Encounter
Clark’s testimony veered into darker territory when she recounted a moment in Central Park. According to her, Diddy threatened her life after discovering she had previously worked for Suge Knight.
That’s when, in the middle of the park, they ran into two more famous faces:
“We ran into Nas and Kelis in the middle of the park,” she recalled, after testifying that earlier that day, Diddy had been walking her through the expectations of the job.
French Montana, Rick Ross, and Wiz Khalifa Named in Mixtape Drama
During the cross-examination of Deonte Nash, the former stylist named several hip-hop heavyweights including French Montana, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, and Wiz Khalifa.
At the time Nash worked for Diddy, French Montana was signed to Bad Boy Records.
“Um French Montana,” Nash replied when asked about label signings. “Wait. French Montana, the hip-hop person, rap star?” the defense pressed. “Yes. I mean, and Puff. That’s all I can really remember right now,” Nash said.
Things turned more personal when Nash discussed Cassie Ventura’s 2013 mixtape RockaByeBaby, which he helped produce. Despite the high-profile features, Nash claimed no one got paid.
“No one got paid for the mixtape,” he testified.
He also recalled a tense exchange between Diddy and Cassie:
“He told her that one time if she keep – if she keeps having a smart-a – mouth, her little mixtape won’t be coming out.”
A Trial Growing in Intensity
Though the celebrities named from Whitney Houston to Wiz Khalifa are not involved in any criminal behavior, their names have drawn fresh attention to a trial already boiling with public interest and legal significance.
As more witnesses take the stand and more revelations emerge, legal experts say the trial could pivot sharply and not necessarily in the prosecution’s favor.
For now, the world continues to watch.
