Sean “Diddy” Combs appears in court with a startling gray hair transformation as the hip-hop mogul faces life in prison for sex trafficking charges.

At a Glance

• Sean “Diddy” Combs has appeared in court with a gray beard and hair after seven months in jail
• Combs faces serious charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution
• His ex-girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura is expected to testify about alleged abuse
• If convicted of organizing “freak offs” (elaborate sex performances), Combs could face a life sentence
• Jury consultants suggest his new gray appearance could influence how jurors perceive him

Combs’ Dramatic Physical Transformation

Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared in Manhattan federal court sporting a notably different look than the sleek image he cultivated throughout his career. After seven months of incarceration at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, the 54-year-old music mogul now exhibits a fully gray beard and hair. This stark transformation from his previously well-maintained appearance has become a talking point as jury selection proceeds in his high-profile criminal case.

The change in appearance comes as Combs faces serious federal charges that could result in a life sentence if convicted. His detention without bail since September 2024 has prevented access to hair dye and other grooming products, resulting in this natural aging becoming visible to the public and potential jurors for the first time. Some observers note this creates a visual disconnect from the polished, powerful image associated with his “Diddy” persona.

Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared before a judge as jury selection for his sex trafficking trial began in New York City on Monday, May 5. https://t.co/MEBWqL4YGX

— Us Weekly (@usweekly) May 6, 2025

Serious Criminal Allegations

Combs faces multiple serious federal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Prosecutors allege he committed various crimes spanning two decades, including kidnapping, arson, drug distribution, sex crimes, bribery, and obstruction of justice. Central to the government’s case are allegations that Combs coerced women into participating in what the indictment describes as “freak offs” – elaborate sexual performances often involving drugs.

“This is Sean Combs,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson told jurors. “For decades, the defendant portrayed himself as a music mogul, but behind the scenes, he used that empire to commit terrible crimes.”

The indictment includes explosive allegations involving Combs’ former girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, who is expected to testify during the trial. Surveillance video allegedly showing Combs physically assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway forms part of the evidence. The legal proceedings against Combs began in November 2023 when Ventura filed a lawsuit accusing him of rape and abuse during their relationship, which was quickly settled out of court.

Sean Combs, sporting grey hair and a goatee, was attentive on the first day of his criminal trial throughout the jury selection process, whispering to his counsel on potential jurors he approved or disapproved of.

Story: https://t.co/UyzjyCP1M7 pic.twitter.com/Za7ZkoUgjO

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) May 6, 2025

The Strategic Impact of Appearance

Jury consultant Alan Tuerkheimer suggests Combs’ gray hair could influence how jurors perceive him during the trial. Without directly stating that the transformation is intentional, Tuerkheimer notes that appearance can significantly impact jury perception. The stark contrast between Combs’ previous image as a wealthy music industry titan and his current more subdued, aging appearance may evoke different emotional responses from those determining his fate.

“Fashion makes a statement,” Tuerkheimer noted, explaining how appearance changes can impact jury perception in high-profile cases.

Combs has consistently maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges. His defense team has characterized the case as a prosecutorial overreach, framing the allegations as involving consensual adult relationships rather than criminal sex trafficking. Attorney Teny Geragos has suggested accusers are motivated by financial gain, pointing to large monetary demands in related civil lawsuits against the music mogul.

Trial Timeline and Public Interest

The trial is expected to last approximately two months, with opening statements having begun on Monday, May 12. A jury of twelve with six alternates was selected from a pool of qualified candidates. The case has generated significant media attention, with crowds gathering outside the courthouse. Prosecutors have already presented disturbing allegations, including claims that Combs forced a male escort to urinate in Ventura’s mouth, causing her extreme distress.

While Combs faces the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted, his former girlfriend Ventura has moved forward with her life. She is now married to personal trainer Alex Fine, with whom she shares two daughters and is expecting a baby boy. The trial continues to unfold with daily developments and testimony that promises to reveal more about the alleged dark side of the hip-hop mogul’s empire and personal conduct over the past two decades.