Britney Spears’ name surfaces in Diddy trial amid Cassie Ventura’s testimony
Cassie Ventura testified Thursday that Sean “Diddy” Combs brought Britney Spears to her 21st birthday celebration, where the fallen music mogul made his first move on the R&B singer.
The love-bombing birthday surprise for Ventura adds the “Hit Me Baby One More Time” singer to the celebrity cameos in the sordid sex-trafficking trial against Combs.
Prince, Suge Knight, Drake, French Montana and Kid Cudi previously came up during Ventura’s harrowing first two days of testimony.
Ventura’s bash was held at a club in Las Vegas, and Combs invited Spears to the soiree, as well as singer and music producer Dallas Austin.
“Sean was there and he brought Dallas Austin, Britney Spears,” Ventura testified. “I think those were the two people who stand out to me.”
Photos from the party also show Paris Hilton, at the peak of her 2000s fame, in attendance.
The group also attended a party that same night, hosted by rapper-turned-Diddy foe 50 Cent at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, photos show.
Ventura previously explained that until that birthday, Combs, then 38 and 17 years her senior, was just her music producer, but when he kissed her that night, their relationship began shifting toward a romantic one.
Spears wasn’t the only celebrity to be dragged into the trial’s third day.
When testifying about infidelities and jealousies during her decade-long relationship with Combs, Ventura casually dropped another A-list star’s name.
“Combs suspected you were in a relationship with someone else. Who was that?” asked defense attorney Anna Estevao.
“Michael B. Jordan,” Ventura responded, referring to the “Creed” star.
Ventura also used one singing icon’s death as a way to signpost a near-tragedy suffered by Combs.
“Do you remember when Mr. Combs overdosed in February 2012?” Estevao asked.
“Was that around the time Whitney Houston died? I believe so,” Ventura replied.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
He could face life in prison if convicted.