Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs court sketch shows noticeable change from last year

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ new appearance was shown in courtroom sketches released Monday, as jury selection began in his high-profile federal trial on sex trafficking and related charges.

The sketch depicts the music mogul inside the courtroom wearing a dark-colored pullover over a white collared shirt, gray pants and glasses. Combs, who is shown with gray hair, is seen sitting at the defense table and standing as he looks at potential jurors.

Cameras are not allowed inside the courtroom.

Sketches from an October 2024 hearing show Combs sitting next to his legal team in a prison uniform.

He wore a black shirt to his bail hearing in September, as shown in court sketches. Combs is not depicted as having gray hair in the sketches from last year.

Combs smiled and exchanged hugs with his attorneys as he entered the Manhattan federal courtroom on Monday.

Why It Matters

Combs is facing federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors allege that Combs operated a coercive sex ring involving drugs and threats to manipulate or silence victims, according to court filings.

The trial, which is expected to span several weeks, carries serious legal consequences for the 55-year-old entrepreneur and Bad Boy Records founder. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies any wrongdoing.

What To Know

A federal investigation was launched into Combs following a 2023 civil lawsuit by his former girlfriend and singer Cassie Ventura. That lawsuit, settled in late 2023, alleged years of sexual assault and physical abuse by Combs. The settlement sparked wider inquiries into Combs’s conduct by multiple federal agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations and the Southern District of New York.

Prosecutors have accused Combs of hosting “Freak Off” parties in which guests were forced to engage in sexual acts, according to court documents. He was arrested in September 2024 and has been held without bail since.

What People Are Saying

Combs, addressing District Judge Arun Subramanian on Monday: “I’m a little nervous today.”

Combs’ lawyers, in a statement to CBS News New York last month: “These are not new allegations or new accusers. These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion.”

What Happens Next

The trial’s first phase involves seating a 12-member jury and six alternates from a pool of more than 150 candidates, a process expected to take several days because of the case’s popularity. Once selected, opening arguments could begin as early as next week.

Combs’ attorneys have signaled that they will argue the charges stem from consensual relationships with long-term girlfriends.

The court proceedings are expected to continue into the summer.

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