Who testified in the Diddy trial?

The criminal trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs is coming to a close, as the prosecution and defence make their closing arguments this week.

Mr Combs, 55, who was arrested last year, faces charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.

The government has spent six weeks building its case against him, painting a picture of a man who used violence and blackmail to fulfil sexual desires, and who ran a criminal enterprise to help cover up his many crimes.

The jury heard from 34 witnesses called by the prosecution.

• 'He doesn't take no for an answer': Prosecutor gives closing arguments in Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial

They ranged from big names - stars like rapper Kid Cudi and R&B singer Cassie Ventura - to Mr Combs' employees including makeup artists, stylists and assistants.

The jury also heard from people outside the hip-hop mogul's circles - male escorts, hotel staff and special agents - who became wrapped into his world.

Here is a breakdown of key witnesses in this explosive trial:

R&B singer Cassie Ventura was the prosecution's star witness, taking the stand nine months pregnant and giving birth just days after she finished testifying.

During her 11 years dating Mr Combs, Ms Ventura testified that she'd been forced to take drugs and commit "humiliating" sex acts with male escorts while the defendant watched and filmed. These sex parties, known as "freak offs", were a central feature of the trial.

Often breaking down in tears, Ms Ventura described instance after instance when Mr Combs allegedly beat her, kicked her, punched her or dragged her by her hair. She said a network of employees knew what was going on and worked with Mr Combs to hide her injuries.

• How strong is case against Diddy?

Jurors saw photos of gashes and bruises on her body and watched the infamous Intercontinental hotel security footage which appears to show Mr Combs beating her and dragging her by her hair.

Mr Combs' attorney questioned her about her drug abuse at the time and text messages where she appears to express excitement or desire for "freak offs". Ms Ventura maintained that she was forced.

The encounters took over her life, she said. "It made me feel worthless," she told the court. "Freak-offs became a job where there was no space to do anything else but to recover and just try to feel normal again."

Ms Ventura also filed an individual lawsuit against the rapper in 2023, which was settled for $20 million.

The other alleged victim that prosecutors brought to the stand was a woman using the pseudonym "Jane". She dated Mr Combs from 2021 to 2024, up until the hip-hop mogul was arrested.

Some of Jane's testimony was similar to Ms Ventura's. She described participating in "hotel nights", where she would have sex with one or more escorts over periods as long as three days while Mr Combs watched.

The defendant, to this day, pays for Jane's house as well as her attorneys, she testified. She told the court saying no to him would have meant losing that.

• Defence case lasts only 20 minutes

She said she was coerced to perform even when she had UTIs, had just thrown up, and once after he had choked and assaulted her.

Jane also testified Combs flew escorts across state lines or to other countries for hotel nights.

The defence pushed back, calling the nights consensual and showing the jury messages where she appears to plan or ask for the encounters herself.

Jane responded by saying she was trying to retain some "control" of what happened and that she just wanted to be with her "lover".

In another multi-day examination, anonymous witness "Mia" alleged that Combs physically and sexually assaulted her during the eight years she worked as his personal assistant.

She alleged to the court the defendant slammed her arm in a bathroom door, threw things at her, stole her phone, forced her to take drugs, raped her and held her forcibly in his home.

• Diddy raped and attacked ex-assistant, she tells court

During the alleged sexual assaults, Mia said she felt like she couldn't say no.

"I couldn't tell him no about a sandwich," she said. "I couldn't tell him no about anything."

Mia alleged that she witnessed Mr Combs' anger and violence toward the R&B singer on several occasions.

Scott Mescudi, known by stage name Kid Cudi, was by far the witness with the most star power.

Mr Mescudi said he dated Ms Ventura in 2011 when she and Mr Combs were broken up. He told the court about two incidents after Mr Combs found out about their relationship: There was a break-in at his home and his Porsche was destroyed by a Molotov cocktail.

• Read back on Kudi's testimony

Mr Mescudi accused Combs in both incidents, though the defence maintains he was not involved at all.

Several of Combs' former employees took the stand, describing extreme hours and bizarre responsibilities.

Former assistant David James said Combs was like a "king" and that he often made staff work 20-hour days, six days a week.

Once, Mr James said he and a security guard ran into rival mogul Suge Knight at a diner in LA. When they went back to Mr Combs' house and told him, the defendant allegedly demanded they go confront Mr Knight - with three guns in tow. Mr Knight had already left though, Mr James said.

• Listen to podcast on Kaplan's testimony

Another assistant, George Kaplan, testified that he witnessed Combs' violence against Ms Ventura and ignored it. He felt he couldn't tell anyone, he said. "I'm a young man, and this is a god amongst men," he testified about Mr Combs

Setting up and cleaning up Mr Combs' hotel rooms also was in the job description, a few assistants said.

Jonathan Perez, another employee, testified that he procured Xanax, cocaine and molly for the rapper, as ordered by Combs' chief of staff. He said he also brought candles, outfits, liquor, food and lubricant for Mr Combs and Jane.

The male escorts involved in Combs' and Ms Ventura's "freak offs" also got their chance to address the court. Their stories were similar - they were initially contacted for stripping services and instead ended up at hotels for sexual encounters, they said.

The encounters would last from hours to days, and they alleged they were paid thousands of dollars.

Daniel Phillip said he had sex with Ms Ventura while Mr Combs watched, directed, and filmed, and also alleged he witnessed violence between the two. Another escort known as "The Punisher", Sharay Hayes, testified that he was paid to have sex with Ms Ventura in front of Mr Combs eight to 12 times in New York.

• 'The Punisher' tells court how he discovered Diddy's identity

He said Ms Ventura usually appeared comfortable, but sometimes Mr Combs would give directions that would make her wince or sigh. She would look to the rapper for "consent", Mr Hayes testified.

A long-time friend of Ms Ventura, Bryana Bongolan's main allegation is that Mr Combs once dangled her over a 17-storey balcony.

Taking the stand for two days, the graphic designer told the court that one night when she was sleeping at Ms Ventura's apartment, Combs entered the apartment, found her on the balcony and held her over the edge, hurling expletives at her. Eventually, he threw her into the balcony furniture, she said.

• Witness testifies that Diddy dangled her over balcony

Another time during a photoshoot, Ms Bongolan alleged Combs threatened her, saying: "I'm the devil and I could kill you."

Combs' attorneys called Ms Bongolan's credibility into question during cross examination, and she ultimately revealed she couldn't clearly remember all the details of her past. She also has a separate pending lawsuit against Mr Combs.

The case will soon go to the jury. Judge Arun Subramanian said at the beginning of the trial that he aims for all proceedings to be wrapped by the 4 July Independence Day holiday.

Get all the latest trial updates on the BBC Sounds 'Diddy on Trial' podcast available wherever you get your BBC podcasts.