It’s been a chaotic couple of days at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse in New York City, where jury selection is nearly wrapped up for what’s shaping up to be one of the most high-profile celebrity trials of the year.

Rapper and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing serious federal charges, and after two intense days of questioning potential jurors, both the prosecution and defense are just about ready to move forward.

Opening statements are expected to kick off Monday, and the spotlight will fully shift to the explosive allegations against Combs.

Famous Names Surface in Jury Selection Binder

During the selection process, potential jurors were handed a hefty binder filled with more than 190 names that might come up during the trial—and it wasn’t short on star power.

The list included a range of high-profile celebrities like comedian Mike Myers, actor Michael B. Jordan, and rapper Kanye West.

Other recognizable names mentioned were Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child, actor Lauren London, singer Dawn Richard, and producer Dallas Austin.

The inclusion of so many celebrities has only added more intensity to the jury selection process, making it even harder to find impartial candidates.

Court Struggles to Find Jurors Who Haven’t Seen “That” Video

Finding jurors who haven’t already formed opinions about the case has been a serious challenge.

Many admitted they were familiar with the viral video showing Diddy physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway back in 2016.

One potential juror even said the video gave him the impression that Diddy was “an angry, hostile person who is entitled”—yet surprisingly, he wasn’t dismissed from the pool.

Others who had seen or heard media reports were sent home.

Diddy’s Apology Resurfaces as Trial Nears

That 2016 video has been a key talking point throughout jury selection.

After it aired on CNN last year, Diddy publicly apologized, saying:
“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.

I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”

Despite the apology, the incident continues to loom large over the courtroom atmosphere, especially as Cassie is expected to testify during the trial.

Diddy’s Legal Team Faces Scrutiny Over Star Attorney’s Role

The prosecution has also raised concerns over the involvement of famed attorney Mark Geragos.

Although not officially listed on Diddy’s legal team, prosecutors claim he’s been advising behind the scenes while commenting publicly on the case via his podcast.

They’ve asked the judge to make sure Geragos is held to the same rules that limit public statements from lawyers directly involved in the trial.

Jury Pool Down to 35, Just a Few Steps Left

As of Tuesday evening, 35 people remain in the jury pool—just 10 short of the target group of 45.

From there, both legal teams will be allowed to quietly strike out a few names, a routine part of jury selection where no explanation is required.

Once that’s done, the final jury will be seated, and things will move full steam ahead with opening arguments starting on Monday.

Prosecutors Paint Diddy as the Head of a Criminal Ring

Prosecutors are expected to open their case by portraying Combs as the leader of a criminal enterprise that used his fame and power to exploit women sexually and emotionally.

Diddy, however, is pushing back. His legal team insists that whatever happened between him and various women involved were consensual acts between adults—not crimes.

The Charges Against Diddy Are No Joke

Combs is officially facing three serious federal charges:

Racketeering
Sex trafficking
Transportation to engage in prostitution

These charges are based on multiple allegations of abuse, coercion, and manipulation of women, some of whom were reportedly under his influence for years.

The case is expected to include detailed testimony from alleged victims and those who were close to Combs during the time the incidents reportedly occurred.

Mike Myers and an Austin Powers Joke Randomly Resurface

One juror brought a strange twist to the courtroom by pointing out Mike Myers’ name in the binder, suggesting it might be linked to a bizarre scene in Austin Powers: Goldmember.

In the film, Dr. Evil sports an “E. Diddy” tattoo—possibly a pop culture reference that made its way into court documents.

That scene also features Beyoncé, adding yet another celebrity connection to an already celebrity-packed trial.

Diddy Tries to Play It Cool During Jury Selection

Throughout the proceedings, the 55-year-old rapper has been visibly reactive during juror questioning.

He’s been nodding, smiling, and shaking his head subtly—likely trying to get a read on each potential juror or even signal his own reactions to their answers.

Whether that charm offensive will work in his favor remains to be seen, but Diddy’s body language suggests he’s heavily invested in who ends up on the jury.

What’s Next?

With jury selection expected to finish Wednesday, and opening statements scheduled for Monday, all eyes will soon be on the witness stand.

Cassie’s testimony will likely be a major moment, and if the prosecution has its way, we may also hear from several other notable names mentioned during the selection process.

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