While Diddy was abusing Cassie, he hired a personal trainer. Cassie married him.

Cassandra Ventura was just 19 years old when she met Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 2005, beginning what would become an 11-year relationship marked by alleged abuse and control.

After their 2018 breakup, Ventura filed a lawsuit against Combs, disclosing the disturbing reality of their relationship, stating she was "finally ready to tell my story" and speak for other victims of domestic violence.

While Combs initially denied the allegations, damning video evidence later emerged showing him physically assaulting Ventura.

Combs is currently standing trial on charges including racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Court documents claim he "abused, threatened, and coerced women" to fulfil his desires and protect his reputation.

Last Tuesday, at eight and a half months pregnant, Cassie took the stand against the man she says tormented her for over a decade, becoming the prosecution's star witness.

Throughout her ordeal, Ventura has had the private and public support of her husband, personal trainer, Alex Fine.

Cassie Ventura and Alex Fine in March 2025. Image: Getty.

Fine released a powerful statement overnight on Saturday, praising his wife's bravery on the stand.

"Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife freeing herself of her party," the statement, which was ready by lawyer Douglas Wigdor, said.

"I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass. I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her."

Fine continued, calling out those who helped Combs "along the way".

"Please know this: You did not. You did not break her spirit, nor her smile, that lights up every room. You did not break the soul of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls. You did not break the woman who has made me a better man," the statement said.

"Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats. She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her."

Ironically, it was Combs who brought the pair together, hiring Fine as Ventura's personal trainer. Two months after Ventura and Combs separated, Ventura hard-launched her relationship with Fine, posting an image of them kissing to her Instagram account.

In June 2019, the couple announced they were expecting their first child together.

"Can't wait to meet our baby girl. Love you always and forever," Ventura wrote on Instagram.

In August 2019, Fine donned a cowboy hat before getting down on one knee to propose to Ventura.

"When he got down on one knee, everything just stopped," Ventura told Vogue.

"I felt like I lost my sense of hearing. I saw just his mouth moving, and he said, 'I want to spend the rest of my life with you.' I will never forget how special Alex made me feel that night."

Just two months after the proposal, and one year after announcing their relationship, the pair got married in a backyard ceremony in Malibu.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Casandra Fine (@cassie)

"We wanted a simple venue with a beautiful view that felt warm and romantic," Ventura told Vogue. "We wanted the aesthetic to reflect how comfortable and content we feel with each other."

That same year, Fine ran 50 miles — from Compton to Malibu— in support of Haven Domestic Violence Shelter and Compton Cowboys Youth Program.

As he crossed the finish line, he fell into Ventura's arms.

There was something about the intensity of their embrace that struck a chord with those around them.

"Just the person I needed with me the whole time. Wow I am so lucky to be able to hug her after this. She makes me better in every way," Fine wrote on his Instagram page, with a video of the pair holding each other.

Remember when Alex Fine, Cassie's husband, ran that 50-mile marathon for Domestic Violence, and they hugged each other.

Now we know what that hug was REALLY about.

Look at the pain in her eyes. That was an emotional layered hug.

Protect Alex Fine, Cassie, and their kids. pic.twitter.com/iXpb7a0Epw

— Dana Abercrombie #AmplifyBlackVoices (@sagesurge) November 17, 2023

We now understand the true significance of that moment.

In December 2019, Ventura gave birth to the couple’s daughter, Frankie. "I can’t explain the amount of unconditional love and adoration that I have for my family," Ventura wrote via Instagram.

"I wake up every day so thankful and happy to have my own. I will never take it for granted and will always feel honoured to be able to experience this kind of love. Slowing down and simply enjoying each other has been a motto for us. We don’t need a lot, everything we need is right here."

In December 2020, Ventura announced she was expecting her second baby via Instagram.

"Coming soon…," she captioned a video of Frankie rubbing her bump.

In March 2021, baby Sunny was born.

"Welcome to the world baby girl! We love you so much Sunny Cinco Fine!" Ventura captioned a series of Instagram photos of her new baby.

Image: Instagram/@alexfine44

Then, in February 2025, Ventura announced that she and Fine were expecting their third child together.

She shared a black-and-white image of the two girls and her burgeoning baby bump, captioning it, "[Pregnancy emoji, heart emoji] #3."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Casandra Fine (@cassie)

Fine has been a constant support to Ventura throughout her public allegations regarding Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

Following the release of the footage showing Combs' violent attack on Ventura, Fine took to Instagram to publicly support his wife.

"I want my kids and every kid to live in a world that’s safe for women and girls, protects them and treats them as equals," Fine wrote.

"To the women and children, you’re not alone, and you are heard. if you need help call the domestic violence hotline at (800) 799-7233.

"Men who hit women aren’t men. Men who enable it and protect these people aren’t men. As men, violence against women shouldn’t be inevitable, check your brothers, your friends and your family. Our daughters, sisters, mothers and wives should feel protected and loved. Hold the women in your life with the upmost regard. Men who hurt women hate women."

Image: Instagram/@alexfine44

Ventura took the stand this week as the prosecution's key witness in the sex-trafficking trial against Combs.

Combs was supported by more than a dozen family and friends in court, including his identical twin daughters and his mother.

But Ventura's pillar of support was there too. Media reports that the court decided Fine could be present as support for his wife for part of her testimony, but not for portions which might be relevant to the defence should they call him as a witness.

Alex Fine exiting the courthouse after opening statements. Image: Getty.

With the trial expected to span at least eight gruelling weeks, having her husband by her side may prove a vital source of strength.

Ventura stood tall as she confronted her alleged abuser in court for the first time since their 2018 split. She was brought to tears as she bravely shared harrowing details of allegedly being forced into drug-fuelled "freak-offs" and told of "too frequent" cases of violence.

Her testimony is just one piece of what's shaping up to be a lengthy and high-stakes legal battle.

Combs has pleaded not guilty and denied all charges against him. If found guilty, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Read the latest on the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial:

• The Diddy trial started with one story about Cassie. It sets the pattern for what is to come.

• A pregnant Cassie just told us what her relationship with Diddy was like. It's worse than we imagined.

This article was first published in February 2025 and has since been updated with new information.

Feature image: Getty Images, Instagram/@cassie.

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