Many media and TV crews gathered outside a federal court in New York City as jury deliberations began on June 30 during the sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs. The case of Sean Combs has drawn a lot of attention. Just like O.J. Simpson’s trial did back in 1995. Though the charges are different, both cases involve serious accusations, public interest, and famous Black male celebrities who were once widely supported.
O.J. Simpson’s case began what many now call “trialtainment”, when people closely follow legal trials like entertainment. His murder trial was broadcast around the clock, and people everywhere tuned in. Today, 30 years later, Combs is facing a federal trial for sex trafficking and racketeering. While the way people consume media has changed, public interest in celebrity trials is still high. However, the conversation around race, domestic violence, and women’s voices has shifted.
Legal expert Lisa Bonner, who is not involved in either case, told CNN that women today feel more confident speaking up, especially after the rise of the #MeToo movement. She said, “We are now just comfortable with speaking up.” O.J. Simpson, who died in April 2024 at age 76 from cancer, was accused of killing his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman. He was found not guilty in 1995.
Sean Combs, a successful music artist and businessman, is accused of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting people for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty. Both Simpson and Combs had strong careers, wealth, and power, and were supported by many fans, especially in the Black community.
Bonner pointed out a key difference between the two cases. She said that during the Simpson trial, the Black community largely stood by him. That support came during a time of anger over police violence, including the 1991 beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers. Both Simpson and Combs have also faced accusations of domestic violence. In Combs’ case, support for him began to drop after CNN released a video in 2023 showing him hitting his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, in a hotel hallway in 2016.
Nicole Branca, who leads a New York City group that helps domestic violence survivors, said these high-profile trials can help hold powerful people accountable. She said, “It’s probably better that there’s this much coverage… If [domestic violence is] happening to them, then maybe it makes it okay for people to speak out about their own experience.” She also mentioned that more laws are being passed to protect victims, such as a recent New York City bill that trains first responders to spot brain injuries often caused by abuse.
Bonner added that while victims still face blame and criticism, the progress made in recent decades helped Cassie Ventura file a civil lawsuit against Combs in 2023. Though the lawsuit was quickly settled, it was followed by a federal investigation. Combs denied any wrongdoing. Bonner said the #MeToo movement gave women the courage to speak up. “It’s no longer acceptable that men are allowed to act in such a manner and get away with it,” she said.
The #MeToo movement became well-known in 2017, when film producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual abuse. But it was started much earlier by activist Tarana Burke. Bonner said people are fascinated by legal trouble involving celebrities. “We want a light, a look into the life of a celebrity,” she said. When trials become public, private details are exposed. In some ways, this puts celebrities on the same level as everyone else.
Back in 1995, around 150 million people watched Simpson’s verdict. While Combs’ trial is not being shown on TV, social media has made it easy for people to follow and discuss the case online. Bonner said, “It gives us a chance to weigh in on something that’s completely not our business… It’s in the zeitgeist.”
Subscribe to our newsletter now to get daily freah articles and notification.
Leave a comment