On Tuesday, the federal trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs took another provocative turn as Sharay Hayes, an exotic dancer known as “The Punisher,” testified about being hired to take part in private sexual encounters with Cassie Ventura—while Diddy watched and gave instructions.
Hayes described the arrangements as highly structured scenes that took place in hotel rooms, usually for about four hours. He said the sessions would start with him and Cassie applying baby oil to each other, with Diddy observing from nearby.
“My understanding was we were creating a scene, a sexy scene, that was enjoyable to her partner,” Hayes told the jury.
He said he was specifically told not to acknowledge Combs and to avoid making eye contact during the encounters. Afterward, he was typically paid between $1,200 and $2,000.
Hayes also testified that he never used drugs with Diddy or Cassie, nor did he witness Combs using any substances or acting impaired.
When cross-examined by the defense, Hayes emphasized that, as a professional dancer, he is skilled at reading the energy in a room and watching for signs of discomfort.
“I did not get any cues that there was a discomfort with what was going on,” he said. “It seemed as if it was consented, as far as I was concerned.”
His testimony stands in contrast to prosecutors’ claims that Cassie was coerced or pressured into sexual encounters that were part of a disturbing pattern of behavior Combs orchestrated—referred to in court as “freak offs.” The government has alleged these multi-day events involved drugs, manipulation, and violence.
Hayes is the second person to testify about intimate scenes involving the couple, though he framed his experience as consensual, professional, and transactional.
