On May 15, 2025, the ongoing federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs in Manhattan took a dramatic turn, revealing the complex power structure of the American entertainment industry. The latest revelations revolve around the infamous “Night Party,” also known as the “Freak Offs,” which Combs allegedly orchestrated as part of a broader scheme of control, coercion, and exploitation. During the testimony, three key figures were identified as the masterminds behind these events. This lifted the curtain on a darker side of Hollywood, leaving the public stunned and the industry grappling with its own complicity. These revelations, which emerged from the testimony of Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and other witnesses, not only incriminate Combs but also raise questions about the systemic problems that enabled such activities for years.

The first key figure revealed is Harve Pierre, a longtime executive at Bad Boy Entertainment, the record label founded by Combs. Pierre, who is named alongside Combs in several lawsuits, is accused of being a key facilitator of the “Night Party” events. According to Ventura’s testimony, Pierre played a central role in organizing the logistics of these gatherings and ensuring that necessary supplies, such as medications, baby oil, and lubricants, were provided. Ventura described how Pierre enforced Combs’ demands and allegedly pressured women to participate in marathon sex sessions that often lasted days. He reported instances where Pierre’s presence heightened the intimidation, as he allegedly obtained compliance through subtle threats and manipulation. This revelation shows Pierre as more than just a business partner; he is now considered a crucial cog in the exploitation machine that Combs allegedly ran, using his position to facilitate and cover up illegal activities.

The second person is James Cruz, another high-ranking Bad Boy executive whose involvement has come under scrutiny. Cruz’s role in the “Night Party” scandal was at the center of the trial, especially after posts on X sparked debates about his autonomy. Ventura testified that Cruz was often present at these events and allegedly acted as a liaison between Combs and the participants. She described how Cruz “counseled” her on what was “best for her” — a euphemism for pressuring her to comply with Combs’s demands. Although Combs’ attorney, Teny Geragos, argued there was no evidence Cruz acted on Combs’s behalf, Ventura’s report suggests otherwise. She recounted a specific incident in which Cruz gave her medication to “relax” her before she had an “attack” — a moment when she felt trapped and powerless. Cruz’s involvement has raised broader questions about Bad Boy Entertainment’s corporate culture. There, managers are said to have placed Combs’s wishes above the well-being of those under his influence. This has revealed a disturbing hierarchy within the industry.

The third key figure is a suspected member of Combs’s inner circle, identified at trial only as a high-ranking security chief. This individual, whose name has not been publicly revealed due to the ongoing investigation, is accused of overseeing the physical enforcement of the Night Out rules. Ventura testified that this security chief was responsible for ensuring attendees did not leave the events, even if they were visibly disturbed or intoxicated. She described how he once physically restrained her as she attempted to leave a party after becoming ill from drug use, a moment when she felt like a prisoner. This individual’s role went beyond the parties, as he allegedly helped cover up Combs’ actions by intimidating witnesses and eliminating incriminating evidence, such as recordings of the events. The revelation of his involvement has shed light on the efforts Combs’s team made to maintain secrecy and highlights a systematic failure by the entertainment industry to hold powerful figures accountable.

These revelations resonated far beyond the courtroom and forced a reckoning within the American entertainment industry. The events of the “Night Party,” which took place at least since 2009, and possibly earlier, were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of behavior through which Combs allegedly exerted control over his entourage. Ventura’s testimony, corroborated by other witnesses such as a former escort and a hotel security guard, reveals how these parties were fueled by drugs, coercion, and violence, with Combs at the center. The involvement of high-ranking executives like Pierre and Cruz, as well as a security chief, suggests a coordinated action based on the complicity of individuals within Combs’s empire. This led to widespread criticism of the industry’s culture, in which power imbalances and lack of oversight allowed such abuses to go unpunished for years.

As the trial continues, the public must grapple with the repercussions of these revelations. Combs, who pleaded not guilty to racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution, faces life in prison if convicted. The testimony about the “Party of the Night” not only damaged his reputation but also brought to light the systemic problems that made his alleged crimes possible. The roles of Pierre, Cruz, and the anonymous security chief have revealed a network of enablers who made these events possible, whether through active participation or willful ignorance. For many, this trial is not just about Combs, but about the failure of the entire entertainment industry to protect its most vulnerable members, a truth that is now painfully coming to light.