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American Press
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- American Press
Diddy convicted of prostitution offenses, not guilty of sex trafficking and racketeering
Sean 'Diddy' Combs appears at the premiere of 'Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story' on June 21, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Associated Press Archives) Sean 'Diddy' Combs dropped to his knees and prayed in the courtroom after he was acquitted Wednesday of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put one of hip-hop's most celebrated figures behind bars for life. The rapper was convicted of lesser prostitution-related offenses and still faces prison time but might be released on bail. The mixed result capped a sordid legal odyssey that shattered Combs' affable 'Puff Daddy' image and derailed his career as a Grammy-winning artist and music executive, fashion entrepreneur, brand ambassador and reality TV star. As the jury foreman spoke and the 'not guilty' verdicts piled up, Combs pumped his fist. As each juror affirmed agreement with the verdict, Combs looked toward the jury and held his hands up in a prayer motion, and he hugged defense lawyer Teny Geragos. Combs' relatives and supporters in the audience could barely contain their relief, despite the judge's admonition to avoid outbursts: When the first 'not guilty' was read aloud, someone shouted, 'Yeah!' Combs, 55, later continued to pump his right fist subtly, seemingly satisfied that he was acquitted on the most serious charges. Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act. But the jury of eight men and four women acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, related to allegations that he used his money, power and frightening physical force to manipulate his girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with the men. Combs' defense team argued that the women were willing participants and that none of his violence justified the severity of the charges. Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Combs, asked that his client be immediately released because the federal Mann Act crimes were of a 'vastly different nature' than sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Combs has been behind bars since his September arrest. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey said he should remain incarcerated as a danger to the community and a threat to flee. She cited evidence of physical abuse and 'prolific use and distribution of drugs' that emerged during the trial. 'I do believe we'll be seeking a substantial period of incarceration,' Comey said. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian said he wouldn't decide whether to free Combs on bail until later in the day after lawyers submit written arguments. Combs appeared overwhelmed as court adjourned for a few hours. He wiped his face, turning and kneeling at his chair, his head bowed in prayer. In the audience, his relatives stood and applauded as he faced them. 'I'll be home soon,' he said, and 'I love you, baby.' 'I love you, Mom,' he added. His relatives applauded him and his lawyers, some of whom had tears in their eyes, as he was led out of court. There's no date yet for sentencing, when the judge will decide on Combs' punishment for the prostitution conviction. Verdict follows weeks of harrowing testimony Federal officials involved in the case responded to the outcome by noting that sex crimes 'are all too present in many aspects of our society.' 'New Yorkers and all Americans want this scourge stopped and perpetrators brought to justice,' Manhattan-based U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and Ricky J. Patel, who heads federal Homeland Security Investigations' New York office, said in a statement. Jurors deliberated for about 13 hours over three days before announcing their verdict. It came after they said late Tuesday that they had decided on four counts but were stuck on the racketeering one. At that point, the judge told them to keep deliberating and keep the partial verdict under wraps. Combs did not testify at his trial, which featured 34 witnesses as well as video of the rapper attacking his former girlfriend Cassie, the R&B singer born Casandra Ventura. Her lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, said in a statement after the verdict that 'by coming forward with her experience, Cassie has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the fight for justice.' Cassie testified for four days about her turbulent 11-year relationship with Combs, which began after she signed with his Bad Boy record label. Cassie said Combs became obsessed with voyeuristic encounters, arranged with the help of his staff, that involved sex workers and copious amounts of baby oil. During the sex events, called 'freak-offs' or 'hotel nights,' Combs would order Cassie to do things with other men that she found humiliating, she testified. When things didn't go Combs' way, he would beat her, she said. 'I'm not a rag doll. I'm somebody's child,' Cassie told Combs after he dragged her down a hotel hallway in 2016. Another ex-girlfriend, testifying under the pseudonym 'Jane,' told the jury she repeatedly told Combs she didn't want to have sex with the men hired for their trysts. 'I'm not an animal. I need a break,' she told him. Nevertheless, she said she felt 'obligated' to comply with his demands, in part because he paid her rent. The AP does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Cassie has. Defense calls case an invasion of privacy The trial's most famous witness, rapper Kid Cudi, said Combs broke into his home in late 2011 after learning he and Cassie were dating. After his car was firebombed a few weeks later, Cudi — whose real name is Scott Mescudi — said he knew Combs 'had something to do' with it. Combs denied it. Combs' defense team acknowledged that he could be violent but argued that prosecutors were intruding in his personal life. In his closing remarks to the jury, Agnifilo said it wasn't illegal for Combs to make 'homemade porn' with his girlfriends. 'They go into the man's bedroom. They go into the man's most private life. Where is the crime scene?' Agnifilo said.
American Press
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- American Press
Jury reaches verdict on 4 of 5 counts in Diddy trial, judge indicates they'll keep deliberating
Sean 'Diddy' Combs appears at the premiere of 'Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story' on June 21, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Associated Press Archives) The jury in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial said Tuesday that it has reached a verdict on four of five counts against the hip-hop mogul and was unable to reach a decision on the top charge, racketeering conspiracy. The judge indicated that he would instruct the jury to continue weighing the charge, echoing the sentiments of prosecutors and Combs' defense team that just two days into deliberations was too soon to give up on reaching a verdict on all counts. Judge Arun Subramanian said he received a note at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday indicated that the jury had reached a partial verdict. The note said the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the racketeering conspiracy charge because there were jurors with 'unpersuadable views' on both sides. Subramanian didn't appear keen on having jurors announce their partial verdict without first trying to decide the remaining count. He said that juries have a right to deliver a partial verdict, but indicated that's more of a last resort and that given the short amount of time the panel has been deliberated, he'd rather give them more time and wait to have a full verdict. Combs' lawyers surrounded him at the defense table soon after the note was sent to the court. The hip-hop mogul appeared morose as they explained to him what was happening. At one point, lead defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo stepped away from the huddle, returned with a piece of paper and handed it to Combs, who read it solemnly. Combs' mother and several of his children returned to the courtroom after the judge announced that the jury had reached a partial verdict. Prosecutors, meanwhile, were at their table glued to their phones and laptop computers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey suggested the judge give the jury a modified version of what's known as an Allen charge — instructions encouraging them to keep deliberating after reaching an impasse. Defense attorney Agnifilo, however, said the jury doesn't need help moving expeditiously and he doesn't want them to get any form of the Allen charge. 'I'm not asking the court to say much because I don't think this jury needs much,' Agnifilo said, arguing that this situation is different from ones where a jury has gone a while without reaching a verdict on any counts. Racketeering conspiracy — count 1 on the jury's verdict sheet — is the most complicated of the charges against Combs because it requires the jury to decide not only whether he ran a 'racketeering enterprise,' but also whether he was involved in committing some or all of various types of offenses, such as kidnapping and arson. The charge falls under RICO — the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act — which is best known for being used in organized crime and drug cartel cases. The jury has been deliberating since Monday. Earlier Tuesday they asked to review critical testimony from one of the prosecution's most important witnesses: the hip-hop mogul's former longtime girlfriend Cassie. Jurors requested the testimony about 75 minutes into their second day of weighing charges that Combs used his fame, wealth and violence to force two girlfriends into drug-fueled sex marathons with male sex workers known as 'freak-offs' or 'hotel nights.' The panel of eight men and four women asked for Cassie's account of Combs beating, kicking and dragging her at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 — an assault captured on now-infamous security camera footage. They also asked to see Cassie's testimony about an incident in which she said Combs accused her of taking drugs from him and kicked her off of their yacht at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2013. On their way back to the U.S., she said, he threatened to release explicit videos of her having sex. In addition, the jury asked for Cassie and stripper Daniel Phillip's testimony about her jumping into his lap at a New York City hotel after, as Phillip testified, he suspected Combs had been slapping and slamming her around an adjacent room. 'Her whole entire body was shaking, like she was terrified,' said Phillip, who was at the hotel for a sexual encounter with Cassie sometime between 2012 and 2014. Phillip testified that he asked Cassie, the R&B singer whose real name is Casandra Ventura, why she was with Combs if he was hitting her and beating her. He said he told her she was in real danger. Cassie, he said, 'basically tried to convince me that it was OK, it's OK. I'm fine, I'll be OK.' Phillip and Cassie were among the first witnesses who testified when the trial began last month.
Toronto Sun
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Diddy's ex says he was violent, forced sex encounter before 2024 public apology
Published Jun 09, 2025 • 4 minute read FILE - Sean "Diddy" Combs appears at the premiere of "Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story" on June 21, 2017, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Photo by Chris Pizzello / Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account NEW YORK — Sean 'Diddy' Combs forced his ex-girlfriend to have a 'freak-off'-style sexual encounter with a male sex worker last year after chasing her around her California home, putting her in a chokehold, punching her in the face and kicking down doors, the woman testified Monday. Testifying for a third day under the pseudonym 'Jane,' the woman said Combs erupted after she accused him of cheating on her. After beating her, Jane said, Combs invited a sex worker over, gave her an ecstasy pill and told her: 'You're not going to ruin my night like this.' Jane, whose injuries included a black eye and welts on her forehead, said she'd planned June 18, 2024, as as a romantic night with Combs, but now remembers it 'a very terrible day.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's also one of the more recent examples of Combs acting violently toward a woman while seeking to fulfil his sexual desires – happening amid the federal investigation that led to his arrest last September. Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could put him in prison for life. As Jane left the witness stand Monday, she told jurors: 'I just pray for his continued healing.' The couple broke up after Combs' arrest, but she said he still pays her rent. Read More Just a few weeks after Jane alleges Combs beat her, he publicly stated that he was 'committed to being a better man every day' after video leaked of him attacking his former longtime girlfriend Cassie, the R&B singer whose real name is Casandra Ventura, at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Associated Press doesn't name alleged victims of sexual abuse without their consent unless they have shared their identities publicly, as Cassie has. Jane's testimony is expected to fill the bulk of the trial's fifth week, as prosecutors move closer to the end of their presentation before the defence gets its turn. Jane, who faces questioning Tuesday from Combs' lawyers, said the rapper and entrepreneur followed her to a bathroom and kicked the door 'literally off the hinges' after she shoved his head into a countertop, hurled glasses and candles at him and screamed, 'I hate you.' After moving to a locked closet, Jane said she tried to run away, but Combs kicked her in the thigh and knocked her to the ground. He then lifted her up by the neck and put her in a chokehold, she said, telling jurors: 'I couldn't breathe.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jane said she then ran about six blocks and hid behind a wall for what she estimated was about two hours. When she figured things had calmed down, she said, she walked back to the home — but Combs was still around, walking toward her in the street. Jane said she retreated to a guest bedroom and then ran into the backyard, curling into a ball on the ground as she implored Combs to leave. He refused, she said, and 'started punching my head, he started kicking me.' Eventually, she said, 'he grabs me by my arm or my hair and starts dragging me back to the house.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Combs then followed her to the shower, she said, and smacked her in the face so hard she lost her balance and fell to the floor. Jane said she was exhausted, but Combs insisted on inviting over a male sex worker and told her to put some makeup on and adjust her hair to hide her injuries. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I don't want to, I don't want to,' Jane recalled saying, to which she said Combs forcefully replied: 'Then is this coercion?' Also Monday, Jane said she told Combs that she cried for three days and felt nauseated after reading Cassie's November 2023 lawsuit against him, which described having hundreds of drug-fueled 'freak-off' sex marathons with Combs and male sex workers. Jane, who referred to similar encounters with Combs as 'debauchery' and 'hotel nights,' said she felt like she was 'reading my own sexual trauma' as she read the lawsuit, which Combs settled within a day for $20 million. She said it followed her experience with the Bad Boy Records founder 'word for word, exactly my experience.' Cassie dated Combs for more than a decade and testified that she engaged in weekly 'freak-offs,' many lasting several for days. She said Combs often watched or filmed the sessions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Jane read aloud for the jury hundreds of text messages, including some in which she complained that Combs seemed to be forcing her into sex marathons by threatening to take away her home. She pleaded with him to recognize the damage the encounters were doing, writing: 'I am not an animal.' EDITOR'S NOTE: This story includes discussion of sexual violence. If you or someone you know needs help, please call 1-800-656-4673 in the U.S. Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances! Toronto Blue Jays Olympics Columnists Ontario Canada
New York Post
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
What do tickets cost to see Dave Matthews Band live in 2025?
Vivid Seats is the New York Post's official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change. Dave Matthews Band 'Can't Stop.' Fresh off a two-night stint headlining at Brazil's Best of Blues and Rock Festival, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have returned stateside. Starting June 11, the 'Ants Marching' rockers resume their summer 2025 tour that will send them to stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters, performing arts centers and pavilions all over North America from June through August. Advertisement That includes a trio of New York and New Jersey stops. First up, the roots-y jam band extraordinaires are slated to pop into Long Island's Jones Beach Theater on Wednesday, June 11. After that, Dave and co. 'march' into Saratoga Springs for a pair of shows at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19. Finally, they'll wrap the NY/NJ portion of their trek Camden, NJ's Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26. Per usual, the band likes to keep 'Daveheads' on their toes and mix things up at all shows. Based on our findings at Set List FM, their recent cover-heavy gig at New Jersey's PNC Bank Arts Center was completely different from their Maryland Merriweather Post Pavilion show. There's no constant either; some audiences will get 'Ants Marching' while others are treated to 'Crash Into Me.' Advertisement Sound exciting? If you want to see Dave Matthews Band live at one of their remaining summer gigs, tickets are available for all upcoming shows. At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on seats for any one show was $28 including fees on Vivid Seats. Other single shows have tickets starting anywhere from $41 to $190.84 including fees. Advertisement For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about Dave Matthews Band's summer 2025 tour below. All prices listed above are subject to fluctuation. Dave Matthews Band tour schedule 2025 A complete calendar including all tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below. Dave Matthews Band tour dates Ticket prices start at June 11 at the Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY $41 (fees included) June 13 at the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH $66.62 (fees included) June 14 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in St. Louis, MO $83.33 (fees included) June 20 at the Credit One Stadium in Charleston, SC $94 (fees included) June 21 at the Credit One Stadium in Charleston, SC $112 (fees included) June 24 at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater in Birmingham, AL $140 (fees included) June 25 at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, GA $98 (fees included) June 27-28 at the Huntington Bank Pavilion in Chicago, IL Two-day passes $171 (fees included) June 27 at the Huntington Bank Pavilion in Chicago, IL $87 (fees included) June 28 at the Huntington Bank Pavilion in Chicago, IL $87 (fees included) July 8 at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto, ON, CA $28 (fees included) July 9 at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, MI $70.89 (fees included) July 11-12 at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, IN Two-day passes $170.51 (fees included) July 11 at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, IN $83.13 (fees included) July 12 at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, IN $81.20 (fees included) July 15 at the Allianz Amphitheater in Richmond, VA $237.07 (fees included) July 16 at the Allianz Amphitheater in Richmond, VA $190.84 (fees included) July 18-19 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY Two-day passes $174.31 (fees included) July 18 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY $81.70 (fees included) July 19 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY $174.31 (fees included) July 22-23 at the BankNH Pavilion in Gilford, NH Two-day passes $187.18 (fees included) July 22 at the BankNH Pavilion in Gilford, NH $100.49 (fees included) July 23 at the BankNH Pavilion in Gilford, NH $99.49 (fees included) July 25 at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, NJ Two-day passes $163.81 (fees included) July 25 at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, NJ $87.83 (fees included) July 26 at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, NJ $86.79 (fees included) Aug. 1 at the Wildlands Festival in Gallatin Gateway, MT Single-day passes with Lukas Nelson and Molly Tuttle $323.22 (fees included) Aug. 2 at the Wildlands Festival in Gallatin Gateway, MT Single-day passes with Lukas Nelson and Molly Tuttle $499.56 (fees included) Aug. 22 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, CA $127 (fees included) Aug. 23 at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA $56.12 (fees included) Aug. 26 at the Harveys Outdoor Arena in Lake Tahoe, NV $110 (fees included) Aug. 29 at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA Three-day passes $257.82 (fees included) Aug. 29 at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA with Kaleo and Southern Avenue $78.96 (fees included) Aug. 30 at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA with Bela Fleck and The Flecktones and Oskar and Julia $67.21 (fees included) Aug. 31 at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA with Goose and Louis Cato $91.28 (fees included) Advertisement (Note: The New York Post confirmed all above prices at the publication time. All prices are in US dollars, subject to fluctuation and, if it isn't noted, will include additional fees at checkout.) Vivid Seats is a verified secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand. They offer a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and your tickets will be delivered prior to the event. Still curious about Vivid Seats? You can find an article from their team about why the company is legit here. Dave Matthews Band set list While DMB doesn't adhere to a strict set list, we can let you know what they played at a recent show on their summer run. Courtesy of Set List FM, here's what Dave and co. played — including a few surprising covers as mentioned earlier — on June 3 at Holmdel, NJ's PNC Bank Arts Center. 01.) 'What You Are' 02.) 'Cornbread' 03.) 'Grace Is Gone' 04.) 'Too Much' 05.) 'Word Up!' (Cameo cover) 06.) 'Walk Around the Moon' 07.) 'Raven' 08.) 'Don't Drink the Water' 09.) 'Let's Dance' (David Bowie cover) 10.) 'Crush' 11.) 'Dive In' Advertisement 12.) 'Drunken Soldier' 13.) 'Pig' 14.) 'Ants Marching' 15.) 'Typical Situation' 16.) 'Warehouse' 17.) 'Tripping Billies' Encore 18.) 'Peace on Earth' 19.) 'Grey Street' Dave Matthews Band new music In May 2023, Dave Matthews Band dropped their tenth studio album 'Walk Around The Moon.' Over 12 tracks, DMB delivers their trademark bluesy, folksy, rock sound along with a few new flourishes. Advertisement Personally, we're partial to the album's title track, the deceptively simple 'The Ocean and the Butterfly' and the rowdy, rollicking barnstorming good time of a song 'After Everything.' To hear the expansive record for yourself, click here. Huge rock tours in 2025 This year is shaping up to be one of the best for live music we've ever seen. As evidence, here are just five huge acts you won't want to miss these next few months. Advertisement • Phish • Goo Goo Dolls • Blues Traveler with Gin Blossoms • Oasis Advertisement • Goose Who else is hittin' the road? Check out our list of all the biggest concert tours in 2025 to find the show for you. This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How ‘Love, Death and Robots' Season 4 Made the Ultimate Cute Little Guy
Season 4 of 'Love, Death and Robots,' Netflix's adult animated anthology, offers several delights. These include the live-action apocalyptic comedy, 'Golgotha,' from creator Tim Miller, and executive producer David Fincher's 'Can't Stop' music video, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers recreating their iconic 2003 performance at Slane Castle, Ireland, as CG string puppets. But the biggest delight is the emotionally stirring 'Spider Rose,' helmed by series supervising director Jennifer Yuh Nelson ('Pop Squad' and 'Kill Team Kill'), which occupies the same cyberpunk universe as Season 3's 'Swarm.' Both are adapted from Bruce Sterling short stories about human survival on an asteroid mining operation dominated by competing factions: the genetically-engineered Shapers and the cybernetic Mechanists. More from IndieWire The First-Dayers of 'The Pitt' Highlight the Need for More Portrayals of Competent Young Professionals 'Arco' Review: France's Answer to Studio Ghibli Offers an Emotional Sci-Fi Epic In 'Spider Rose,' the grieving titular Mechanist (voiced by Emily O'Brien and mo-capped by Miller's Blur Studio) plots her revenge against the Shaper who murdered her husband. However, that means bartering with the large reptilian Investors, who loan her a cute alien pet she calls Nosy. It is through Nosy that she rediscovers her lost humanity. ' I love the story because of the emotions, and the idea that this woman has ruined herself in her grief and trying to find her way back has quite a steep price,' Yuh Nelson told IndieWire. 'I think that that sort of emotional journey is interesting to me, and also how to show that visually.' Although 'Spider Rose' was always on 'the writer's wall,' it never made the cut until this season, when Yuh Nelson found the right empathetic through line. But, of course, there's more than meets the eye to Nosy. He's not mischievous, like a Gremlin, but there's a definite edge to him. The trick was not overdoing it so that he still looked appealing. 'I love the design process of trying to find something that would make you feel so sympathetic to it,' said Yuh Nelson. Blur Studio provided the effective key frame character animation. But instead of opting for a typical space monkey, Yuh Nelson was drawn to something much more cuddly. 'To me, its purpose was to try and become closer to [Spider Rose],' she said. 'But we actually had designs where it was very monkey-like with long, spindly limbs, and it crossed the threshold towards creepy rather than empathetic. So I tried to push it a little bit towards bush baby because that reminds me of cuddly.' But they made Nosy multifaceted because he appears in two stages: slimy and furry. 'We looked at adorable pet frogs from Japan mixed in with French bulldogs for the first stage because they have those adorable butts and that waddle to them,' said Yuh Nelson. 'But the second stage was bush baby.' This enabled Spider Rose to become more attached to Nosy. They play games and she holds it tenderly. 'You know how certain creatures camouflage so other creatures won't eat them? In this case, it's kind of flipped,' continued Yuh Nelson. 'The idea is that creatures will do things to survive by developing these visual defense mechanisms to be more adorable.' You could say that 'Spider Rose' represents the Season 4 poster child of 'Love, Death + Robots' in the way it embodies all three parts. 'I don't know if it's an entry drug for 'LDR' because there is a lot of violence,' Yuh Nelson said. 'Usually, if people haven't seen the show before, we recommend that they watch one of the comedies first. In the case of 'Spider Rose,' there's an entire world involved. And we really wanted to make this one like a tentpole: a moment that's lush and emotional, that's gonna really reflect the level of the story.' 'Love, Death, and Robots' is streaming on Netflix. Best of IndieWire The 19 Best Thrillers Streaming on Netflix in May, from 'Fair Play' to 'Emily the Criminal' Martin Scorsese's Favorite Movies: 86 Films the Director Wants You to See Christopher Nolan's Favorite Movies: 44 Films the Director Wants You to See
