“Mia,” one of Combs’ former assistants, testified under a pseudonym after a morning break.
Here’s what else she said:
“A cycle of highs and lows:” Mia testified that she saw Cassie Ventura and Combs together all the time when she was working, describing their relationship as “unequal” and “toxic” and “a cycle of highs and lows,” adding Combs was “abusive towards her.”
Combs’ seal of approval: Mia testified that Combs was in charge of Ventura’s music career and always made the final decision as it pertained to how she wore her hair, how her nails looked, outfits, what music she released, when she’d be in the studio, visual aspects of music videos, her appearance and any shows or appearances she’d be involved in.
Mia said she was privy to a lot of the goings-on in Combs’ label business because people would contact her to get answers from Combs.
Unpredictable punishment: Combs dictated how much time and when Mia could spend it with Ventura, whom she described as a sister and a best friend, the former assistant testified.
Usually, it was motivated by Combs’ desire to keep tabs on Ventura, she testified. When they did something without Combs’ permission, Mia said “something bad, very scary” would happen.
“Punishment was typically unpredictable but typically pretty terrifying,” she testified, adding that at times, that meant Combs took away her car, which he and his companies paid for, or her jewellery, Mia said.
If Ventura wouldn’t answer phone calls from Combs, security would show up, Mia testified.
Signs of violence: The former assistant said she saw Combs attack Ventura, throw her on the ground, chase her and “crack her head open” and never saw Ventura fight back.
The incident occurred at a 2010 party hosted by Prince, in which the music legend’s security had to intervene when Combs attacked Cassie Ventura.
The ex-employee, who is testifying under the pseudonym Mia, said it was the night after an award show. Ventura and another friend previously testified this was around the Emmy Awards that year.
Combs told Mia to stay with Ventura at a hotel to keep her company, Mia testified, as the music mogul had told Ventura he would be with his kids.
A friend called and told Mia and Ventura about the party at Prince’s house.
“Cass and I debated like little kids if we should sneak out of the house for probably what felt like forever,” Mia said.
They ultimately went to the party and were having fun dancing and watching Prince perform, Mia testified.
Then Combs arrived. Mia recalled seeing his bucket hat and the two locking eyes.
Mia and Ventura took off running out of the house, but “Puff caught Cass,” the former assistant testified, using another nickname for Combs.
“He caught up to her and had her on the ground,” Mia said. “He started attacking her, but Prince’s security swiftly intervened.”
Mia left and spent the night at a different hotel, she testified.
The ex-employee testified that the next day, the head of human resources told her Combs was suspending her without pay for being “insubordinate.” She said the HR employee did not mention anything about Combs’ behavior the night before.
Mia described one instance where she felt like she, Ventura and celebrity stylist Deonte Nash, who testified earlier, were in “real, real danger” based on Combs’ violent behavior toward the three of them, she said.
Remember: Nash also described the same incident yesterday on the stand. In another instance, Mia testified about a party at Prince’s house, where she witnessed Combs attack Ventura after the pair snuck out of a hotel he told her to stay at.
Remember: This is the same party Mylah Morales, Combs and Ventura’s former makeup artist, testified about previously, saying Ventura suffered a swollen eye, a busted lip and knots on her head.
