Latest news with #JaneRosenberg
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Diddy's wild confession to sketch artist who drew him during sex trafficking trial
Sean ' Diddy ' Combs had some strong words for the sketch artist who drew him during his months-long sex trafficking trial. The 55-year-old music mogul was depicted in court sketches visibly panicking when jurors announced earlier this week that they had reached a verdict on four of the five charges against him. Diddy was later seen collapsing in his chair when jurors declared that he was not guilty of racketeering conspiracy - the top charge against him - and sex trafficking. He was, however, found guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. The images - some of which were commissioned by Jane Rosenberg - provided rare glimpses into the rapper's mood and demeanor during the high-profile proceedings. But Combs was not always satisfied with the way Rosenberg was portraying him, even criticizing her work during a break in proceedings last month. She recounted to PEOPLE how the I'll Be Missing You singer returned to the Manhattan federal courtroom and mouthed something at her. At first, Rosenberg said she could not make out what Combs was trying to tell her. But when he repeated himself, she could hear that he wanted her to make him look 'softer' as he pointed to his mouth. 'And he said, "You made me look like a koala bear,"' the artist said. She apparently took the criticism in stride, noting that later that same day, she found herself in the elevator with Combs' mother, Janice Combs, along with his sons. 'In the elevator, they were saying "Thank you for being such an unbiased artist,"' Rosenberg said. 'And I told them, "Today, Diddy said I made him look like a koala bear." And they all started chuckling.' In her remarks to PEOPLE, Rosenberg admitted it took her some time to figure out how to properly draw the hip hop artist. 'He was not a simple likeness to do,' she said, adding that she had to learn how to draw his jaw. 'He's got an unusual look. And he doesn't look anything like he used to.' Drawing celebrities at their high-profile criminal trials is a difficult task in general, Rosenberg said, as they are widely known and people have a perception of how they are supposed to look. At times, even the celebrity has comments, like Diddy did. '[Rudy] Giuliani told me I made him look like a dog, [Harvey] Weinstein told me to give him more hair, John Gotti asked me to trim down his chin,' said Rosenberg, who has been working as a professional sketch artist for 45 years and wrote a memoir entitled. ' Drawn Testimony: My Four Decades as a Courtroom Sketch Artist.' 'And [President Donald] Trump once stood over one of my sketches and said, "I need to lose some weight,"' she recounted. The worst criticism Rosenberg ever faced came in 2015, she said, when she drew former Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady during an NFL hearing on the 'Deflategate' scandal - which claimed the team illegally deflated footballs in their 2014 AFC Championship victory over the Indianapolis Colts. She said she did not know who the star quarterback was when she sketched him. But when she returned home from work, she said she found she had received hundreds of emails. Fans of Brady panned her for making the handsome quarterback look like he was 'put in one of those machines that crushes cars,' while those who disliked him celebrated her depiction of him. 'I didn't know what memes were,' Rosenberg said. 'But I certainly learned the what memes were' as netizens put the sketch in place of ET on the poster for the classic movie, or the face in The Scream, by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. In the end, Rosenberg was forced to apologize as she had 'nightmares' about her viral fame. 'I didn't make Tom Brady look as handsome as he is,' she told WBZ Boston. 'I apologize to Tom Brady. And all the NFL fans.' She added: 'He's a very handsome guy. It's very hard in a very short time to get somebody so good- looking to look as good as they look [in person].' Fortunately, her second effort at drawing the star football player passed without so much attention.
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyer says prosecutors trying to criminalize his 'private sex life'
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik makes her closing arguments during Sean \"Diddy\" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, U.S., June 26, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg A scene from a hotel security video is shown during Sean \"Diddy\" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, U.S., June 26, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Sean \"Diddy\" Combs listens alongside his lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos as Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik makes her closing arguments as U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian presides during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, U.S., June 26, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik makes her closing arguments during Sean \"Diddy\" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, U.S., June 26, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Sean \"Diddy\" Combs gestures during his sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, U.S., June 26, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Sean 'Diddy' Combs' defense lawyer urged a jury on Friday to find the former hip-hop mogul not guilty in his sex trafficking trial, saying prosecutors are trying to criminalize his unusual sexual preferences. The lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, said during his closing argument in Manhattan federal court that over the past two months prosecutors had presented a 'fake trial' to use Combs' sexual proclivities as evidence of a criminal conspiracy centered on his businesses. "They take the baby oil and the Astroglide and make it the evidence in this case, because there's nothing wrong with his businesses," Agnifilo said, adding that the 'crime scene' in the case was Combs' 'private sex life.' Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted on all counts, the Bad Boy Records founder faces a minimum 15-year prison term and could be sentenced to life behind bars. During the first day of closing arguments on Thursday, a U.S. prosecutor told jurors Combs used "violence and fear" to lead a criminal enterprise that helped him subject two of his former girlfriends to sex trafficking, "The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted," prosecutor Christy Slavik told jurors in her address. "He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law." Combs' defense lawyers acknowledge that Combs was occasionally violent in domestic relationships, but have argued that his conduct did not amount to sex trafficking because the sex acts described by prosecutors were consensual. Over more than six weeks of testimony in Manhattan federal court, jurors heard two of Combs' former girlfriends testify that they took part in days-long, drug-fueled sex parties sometimes called "Freak Offs" with male sex workers while Combs watched, masturbated, and occasionally filmed. Combs did not testify. The jury saw hotel surveillance footage of Combs beating one of the women in a hallway, and heard Combs' employees describe setting up hotel rooms and buying drugs for the performances. Jurors are expected to start deliberations either late on Friday or on Monday. To convict Combs, they must vote unanimously. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' defense to make closing argument in sex trafficking trial
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik makes her closing arguments during Sean \"Diddy\" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, U.S., June 26, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg A scene from a hotel security video is shown during Sean \"Diddy\" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, U.S., June 26, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Sean \"Diddy\" Combs listens alongside his lawyers Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos as Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik makes her closing arguments as U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian presides during Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, U.S., June 26, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik makes her closing arguments during Sean \"Diddy\" Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, U.S., June 26, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Sean \"Diddy\" Combs gestures during his sex trafficking trial in New York City, New York, U.S., June 26, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg Sean 'Diddy' Combs' defense lawyers are set to ask jurors on Friday to clear the hip-hop mogul of sex trafficking and other criminal charges, as his closely watched trial in Manhattan comes to a close. Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture, has pleaded not guilty to racketeering conspiracy and two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted on all counts, the Bad Boy Records founder faces a minimum 15-year prison term and could be sentenced to life behind bars. During the first day of closing arguments on Thursday, a U.S. prosecutor told jurors Combs used "violence and fear" to lead a criminal enterprise that helped him subject two of his former girlfriends to sex trafficking, "The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted," prosecutor Christy Slavik told jurors in her address. "He thought that his fame, wealth and power put him above the law." Combs' defense lawyers acknowledge that Combs was occasionally violent in domestic relationships, but have argued that his conduct did not amount to sex trafficking because the sex acts described by prosecutors were consensual. Over more than six weeks of testimony in Manhattan federal court, jurors heard two of Combs' former girlfriends testify that they took part in days-long, drug-fueled sex parties sometimes called "Freak Offs" with male sex workers while Combs watched, masturbated, and occasionally filmed. Combs did not testify. The jury saw hotel surveillance footage of Combs beating one of the women in a hallway, and heard Combs' employees describe setting up hotel rooms and buying drugs for the performances. Jurors are expected to start deliberations either late on Friday or on Monday. To convict Combs, they must vote unanimously. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New York Post
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Sean Combs is relying on his celebrity skills in court — but it's a dangerous gamble: source
It's the most important performance of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' life. The rapper/actor/showman has apparently been treating the US District Court in Lower Manhattan as his stage as he is on trial fighting charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. He has allegedly been working so hard to charm the jury that the judge has ordered him to stop interacting with them after Combs, who is used to playing to the crowd, repeatedly made eye contact, smiled and nodded at the eight men and four women set to decide his fate — which, if he is found guilty, could mean life in prison. Advertisement Even his wardrobe — crewneck sweaters in muted neutrals — is a calculated move. 'They're doing it for a reason … every move is thought out,' said one courtroom expert. 'You put him in a blue sweater and it's like you're trying to dupe the jury into believing that he's something he's not.' 6 Before wearing sweaters to court, Sean Combs was a dandy on red carpets. Getty Images, Advertisement 'There is no method or strategy behind Mr. Combs' courtroom wardrobe,' said a representative for Combs's attorney Teny Geragos. 'He did not choose what he's wearing, and no one is advising him on his attire — the court order was very specific about what he could wear. But Combs, who has gone gray without hair dye, is apparently so worried about his appearance he has complained the courtroom sketch artist made him look like a 'koala.' Last week, Combs was reprimanded by Judge Arun Subramanian for repeatedly nodding at jurors. She threatened to throw him out of his own trial and reprimanded him: 'It cannot happen again.' He's also nodded approvingly at one witness who played up his work ethic and appeared disapproving toward another who claimed to have been punished for poor performance. He's entered the courtroom with a smile on his face and while making a heart gesture made with his hands. Advertisement 6 A cape-clad Combs attended the 2023 Met Gala with Yung Miami. Getty Images for Karl Lagerfeld In one instance, when he and a juror both did what they could to ward off the courtroom chill — Combs rubbed his hands, the juror rubbed his arms — the music mogul reportedly looked at the juror and mouthed the word 'Cold,' receiving a smile in return. 'That can get him in trouble,' said a criminal defense attorney who represents rappers and asked not to be identified for fear that an association with Combs could look bad to his clients. 'No lawyer would tell him to do that. In fact, I would advise him against it. Judges tend not to like it.' It's unclear whether or not Judge Subramanian minded Combs engaging with the courtroom sketch artist. Advertisement 6 Combs has been known to smile and make the heart-hands gesture when entering the courtroom. REUTERS 6 Combs has told courtroom sketch artist Jane Rosenberg, 'Soften me up a bit. You're making me look like a koala bear.' REUTERS With no cameras allowed in the courtroom, the work of veteran trial sketcher Jane Rosenberg provides the sole visual record of the proceedings. Like others before him — including Rudy Giuiani, who once told the artist, 'You made me look like my dog!' — Combs is not a fan of Rosenberg's depictions. She has said that the music mogul told her, 'Soften me up a bit. You're making me look like a koala bear.' Meanwhile, Combs, who had his own Sean John fashion line, has been turning out for court as he never did in public. It's been reported that he is alternating between five sets of sweaters, slacks and button-down shirts and two pairs of lace-free shoes (often a rule for the incarcerated). 6 The Menendez brothers, in 1993, leveraged the sweater look while standing trial for murder. AFP via Getty Images 'But, look, we're talking about Diddy. Everyone knows who he is. So it's tough to make that work,' the attorney said of the low-key, non-flashy look. 'Plus, a federal courtroom is a formal setting. I think you should be wearing a suit there. Everyone knows that he can afford a suit.' Advertisement Sweaters have also been courtroom favorites of defendants like Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey. The style of burgundy sweater worn by accused murderer Luigi Mangione while pleading not guilty sold out at Nordstrom last December. 6 Combs, now gray-haired without access to hair dye, looks quite different than he did at the Billboard awards in 2022. Getty Images The first major trial to feature defendants in sweaters was Eric and Lyle Menendez's murder trial in 1993, though the siblings favored bright blues, greens and corals in an apparent effort to appear harmless. But the attorney noted that, 'At the end of the day, how the guy dresses will go only so far. There is nothing more eloquent than the facts of the case.'
CBS News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Sean "Diddy" Combs tells courtroom artist she makes him look like a "koala"
Judge in Sean "Diddy" Combs trial warns he may be removed from court Judge in Sean "Diddy" Combs trial warns he may be removed from court Judge in Sean "Diddy" Combs trial warns he may be removed from court Sean "Diddy" Combs had a request for the courtroom artist at his sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial. During a break in trial proceedings Thursday, Combs spoke to court artist Jane Rosenberg to ask her to "soften it up a bit," saying she makes him look like a "koala" in her sketches, Rosenberg told CBS News New York. Sean "Diddy" Combs during opening statements of his trial on sex trafficking charges on May 12, 2025. Jane Rosenberg Combs, who has been jailed since his September arrest, now has grey hair and a beard. Jane Rosenberg Cameras and photography are not allowed in federal court, but sketch artists are. Combs' remarks to Rosenberg came on the same day that a judge warned Combs' defense team that he could be removed from court if he tried to interact with the jury. Combs, 55, is facing five charges. Prosecutors claim Combs used employees and his businesses "in a persistent and pervasive pattern of abuse toward women and other individuals." They allege Combs arranged for sex workers to be transported for "freak offs" and that he also used his wealth, threats, and drugs to to control his alleged victims. About Jane Rosenberg Rosenberg has spent more than four decades covering some of the biggest trials, including the trials of Dzohkhar Tsarnaev and Ghislaine Maxwell. Rosenberg recalls that Maxwell started to sketch her while Maxwell was sitting at the defense table. It's not the first time she's been asked for sketch adjustments. One request happened during the civil fraud trial of Donald Trump, Rosenberg previously told CBS News New York's Alice Gainer. "Donald Trump, Jr. told me to make him look sexy," Rosenberg said. "Art is different. Anything that is handmade, touched by a human, I think it adds an element that draws people in," Rosenberg told Gainer. contributed to this report.
