Sean “Diddy” Combs’ gray hair may have shocked jurors at the start of his sex-trafficking trial — and that could help him, experts say.
The 55-year-old music mogul-turned-accused criminal perv doesn’t have access to hair dye in jail and first revealed his graying hair in court a few months ago, although the public only saw it in sketches.
The fact that jurors are seeing his gray in person may now work in Combs’ favor, jury consultant Alan Tuerkheimer told Us magazine.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ gray hair may have shocked jurors at the start of his sex-trafficking trial — and that could help him, experts say. REUTERS“The hope is that, given the lascivious nature of some of the alleged acts he participated in, the jury sees a more seasoned and grown-up version of his former self,’’ Tuerkheimer said of Combs.
Los Angeles criminal-defense lawyer Joshua Ritter added, “One of the central questions [jurors] have in their head is, ‘Could this person have committed these crimes?’
“And if you’re looking over at someone who appears gray — gray hair, gray beard, dressed in kind of a sweater and doesn’t look like the kind of person that would commit the sorts of atrocities that are going to be alleged — that might play at least a subconscious role in their heads.”
Combs’ bombshell sex-trafficking trial kicked off in Manhattan federal court Monday, with the Bad Boy Records founder’s elderly mother and two of his children showing up to support him.
“The hope is that, given the lascivious nature of some of the alleged acts he participated in, the jury sees a more seasoned and grown-up version of his former self,’’ a jury consultant said. REUTERS
Combs making a hear gesture to family members on the first day of his sex trafficking trial on May 12, 2025. Elizabeth Williams via APThe hip hop pioneer’s back neck tattoo — a crown — could be seen poking out from under the collar of his white shirt and grey sweater as he stood in the courtroom.
His lawyer, Teny Geragos, said in her opening remarks that the jury — eight men and four women — will hear testimony about the “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper’s “swinger” lifestyle and “kinky sex.”
But she emphasized that these were not crimes, and said that while Combs may be guilty of domestic violence, he did not commit sex-trafficking or racketeering as prosecutors allege.
Combs’ defense lawyer Teny Geragos introducing her client to the jury during the opening statements on May 12, 2025. REUTERS“You might hear about kinky sex, which may make you uncomfortable,” Geragos said. “It may not be what you do in your bedroom … but you are here to judge whether the government actually proved what they charged him with.”
Prosecutors detailed some of the disgusting charges against Combs in their own opening statements, including how he allegedly forced a male escort to urinate into the mouth of his then-girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura during a “freak-off — days-long sex parties that he would record.
Follow the latest on Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ federal sex-trafficking trial:
- Diddy acquitted on top charges in bombshell sex-trafficking case — found guilty only of prostitution
- Diddy trial is ‘most expensive prostitution trial in American history’: expert
- Diddy trial live updates: Combs falls to his knees in prayer, cheers erupt in courtroom, fans celebrate outside as mogul acquitted on top charges
- Failure to sequester Diddy trial jury was a mistake, legal expert argues
“Cassie will tell you that she felt like she was choking when Combs made an escort urinate in her mouth,” prosecutor Emily Johnson told the jury — previewing testimony from Ventura.
Prosecutor Emily Johnson pointing at Combs during her opening statement at his trial. REUTERSVentura, whom Combs was filmed beating in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016, is expected to take the stand later on Monday.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
— Additional reporting by Kyle Schnitzer
