Inside the Sean “Diddy” Combs Courtroom: Angry Stares, Zero Fashion Flair and Who Sits Where

“The law is a dirty game,” says the effervescent host of Tisa Tells. The YouTube personality has built a sizable and loyal following dissecting the scandals of the day, covering such controversial subjects as the Drake-Kendrick Lamar beef and the latest involving Kanye West and Bianca Censori, with her signature girlfriend-speak. Tisa now boasts more than 550,000 subscribers on YouTube, her go-to-platform, taking her real-time commentary to the steps of New York’s Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking trial as ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura tells her side of this sordid story.

Tisa, who doesn’t use her last name due to personal safety concerns, has been seated inside the courtroom since the proceedings’ start, providing updates during breaks and recaps that can go for hours. Her credentials don’t include a law degree — yet — but she’s conversant in legalese in a manner that is truly impressive. And unlike the members of the press pool parked outside the federal court doors, her observations are unfiltered and surprisingly astute.

Ahead of Kid Cudi’s testimony, as called by the prosecution, The Hollywood Reporter sought out Tisa’s take so far. 

The defense team has an optics problem.

“The prosecution [led by Maurene Comey] is proving their case well, partly because of the optics. This ‘six-pack of white women,’ as [defense attorney] Mark Geragos described them, they’re wearing navy blue pants or skirt suits, black tights, flats. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of them look like they’re not putting any effort into their hair, and I don’t expect a fashion show, but it’s giving: you guys are working! You are in your grind.

It’s surprising that Diddy’s team, as a whole, is not more polished — like their stylist should be putting more effort in. It would give the look of: We’re in control; the government doesn’t have us frazzled. Instead, the government does have them looking frazzled. Though I will say: All the female lawyers look like they’re working late nights, but if you’re the defense, you should look like you have everything under control.”

Courtroom seating has its hierarchy.

“There are five rows. Behind the lawyers and the witnesses is where the families always sit in the third row. That’s where you could see Alex Fine, the ever dutiful husband, looking so proud as Cassie spoke. You feel his presence. He’s a man’s man but not trying to overcompensate. He has this protective, but nurturing, energy. He and Cassie seem super connected and happy. Cassie’s mom, dad and brother also sat in that row as did a spiritual coach who is said to be working with [Cassie].

Diddy’s people, they pretty much disappeared. The kids were there and some family members in the first days. Diddy’s side has two rows dedicated to family and it’s been pretty much [on Monday and Tuesday]. When the kids were present, they were sitting up straight and attentive when the jury was there, but when the jury left, they got way more casual, like they were kicking their feet up.”

Diddy is “running the show.”

“Diddy is in control of this team, running the show and passing notes to his lawyers. And when I say notes, I mean he’s writing novels and angrily passing it down. Nicole Westmoreland, who’s the Black attorney on his team, during the testimony of Dawn Richard, she would get the notes and just put them underneath her notepad. Diddy looked mad, but that was the most effective cross examination they had in two days.”

Objection!

“The defense is always objecting, but they’re doing it to slow down [the proceedings] and whenever someone is getting into a good groove. If the jury is too engaged with what the witness is saying, they’ll raise an objection just to break it up.”

Compelling witnesses

“The first escort [Sharay Hayes] was super compelling. When he described Cassie as being like a robot and how he couldn’t perform. … The assistant, [David James] was pretty good: he seemed honest, smart and personable. And Cassie’s mom, [Regina Ventura] was a stellar witness, so much so that [defense attorney] Marc Agnifilo didn’t even cross examine her. The good witnesses were the ones that when Agnifilo tried to push them, they wouldn’t let the narrative take an inch, but they did it without seeming hostile. They were credible and held their ground.

To be honest, I don’t think Cassie was the best witness, in that I would have liked to see more emotion from her. It was like she was telling Diddy, ‘I’m never gonna cry for you again.’ She made a point of it. That being said, there’s no perfect witness. Not everybody is going to cry and tear up … but the jury has to feel your pain.”

Fear factor

“A lot of people do seem to fear Diddy. You can feel it in the room. He has an intense stare. Cassie’s mom shot Diddy a look the whole time she was walking [in the courtroom]. It looked like she wanted to make a beeline to smack him. There was so much rage. Diddy just cowered. It was a powerful moment.”

The jury’s duty… 

“There are so many old white men and four or five women, some of which are alternates, in this jury of 12. You can tell they’re listening and putting things together. One female juror in particular is super observant.”

About that judge…

“I was a little bit worried about him because, you know, he’s a younger judge. He has experienced clerking, but I was so afraid he didn’t know the legal finesse. But he’s on top of it.”

The big picture

“It’s fascinating to see this microcosm of America: the closed-mindedness about sex and gender, our obsession with celebrity, there’s so much involved in this trial. Is Diddy going to beat this case or not? It could go either way.”

Watch Tisa’s latest report below: