On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, a jury delivered a split verdict in the high-profile trial against music mogul Sean "P Diddy" Combs, after three days of deliberation. The 12-person jury, composed of four women and eight men, found Combs not guilty of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, but convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. While this outcome means Combs avoids a potential life sentence, he now faces the possibility of a maximum of 20 years in prison. This decision has sparked significant reactions across Hollywood and among fans, with many expressing shock and condemnation, particularly given the extensive testimonies presented.

The case largely hinged on the decade-long suffering of Cassie Ventura, whose experiences at the hands of Diddy formed the core of the prosecution’s arguments. Following the verdict, Ventura’s attorney, Douglas G. Wigor, praised her courage, stating, "By coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice. She displayed unquestionable strength and brought attention to the realities of powerful men in our orbit and the misconduct that has persisted for decades without repercussion. This case proved that change is long overdue, and we will continue to fight on behalf of survivors."

Celebrities and industry figures have responded with varying degrees of support for survivors and criticism of the verdict. Kesha, a vocal advocate for victims of sexual violence, shared her support for Cassie on X (formerly Twitter), writing: "Cassie, I believe you. I love you. Your strength is a beacon for every survivor." Evan Rachel Wood, who has also publicly alleged abuse, posted a message about domestic violence to her Instagram stories, emphasizing, "There is no consent in a domestic violence relationship. Period. Once the threat of violence is there, you comply. You do not consent. It is self preservation and survival. It is not freely or willingly given. It is forced and coerced out of you. We clearly have a long way to go in our understanding of this."

Rosie O’Donnell expressed her anger and disbelief on Instagram, questioning the jury's rationale: "I guess a jury just never wants to believe that a woman stays because of power and coercion – wow – they just think women stay because what? money – fame – ‘they love the abuse’ – what a fucking joke – this decision got me angry."

Former Danity Kane member Aubrey O'Day, who has previously spoken about her own experiences with Diddy, live-reacted to the verdict on Instagram, expressing physical illness and deep disappointment. She later released a statement highlighting the "cultural weight of this decision," adding, "It is heartbreaking to witness how many lives have been impacted by their experiences with Sean Combs – only for those stories to fall short in the eyes of a jury. My heart is with Cassie. A woman who could’ve had a life and career free of fear and control. A woman who told her truth in a courtroom, only to have the world dissect her credibility instead of her courage." Another Danity Kane member, Dawn Richard, who testified against Combs and has a pending civil case, saw the split verdict as a disappointment but affirmed through her lawyer, Lisa Bloom, that they would "continue to aggressively fight our case until we obtain full and complete justice for Dawn."

Among the most vocal critics, Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson, shared a sarcastic reaction on social media, comparing Diddy to "the Gay John Gotti." Furthermore, Netflix has confirmed that a docuseries backed by 50 Cent, focusing on the charges and allegations against Sean 'Diddy' Combs, is currently in production, indicating that the conversation around these events is far from over.