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Global News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Global News
Sophia Hutchins, friend and manager of Caitlyn Jenner, dies in ATV crash
Sophia Hutchins, a longtime friend and manager of Caitlyn Jenner, has died in an ATV crash. Hutchins, 29, was reportedly operating the vehicle near Jenner's home in Malibu, Calif., when she collided with a moving car and was thrown 350 feet down a ravine. Celebrity gossip site TMZ first broke the news. Hutchins, the CEO and director of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation, was pronounced dead at the scene on Wednesday morning, media reports say. Hutchins, who was also transgender, and Jenner, 75, met during the former Olympian's transition in 2015. She appeared in several episodes of Jenner's docuseries I Am Cait, which ran for two seasons from 2015 to 2016. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The pair were often photographed attending public events together, but denied on more than one occasion that they were in a relationship. They maintained that they were the 'best of friends.' Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen Sophia Hutchins attends The Recording Academy and Clive Davis' 2019 Pre-GRAMMY Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 09, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. Axelle/ Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images Born in 1996 in Bellevue, Wash., Hutchins graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in economics and finance. An accomplished entrepreneur who began her career in venture capital, Hutchins was also the founder and CEO of Lumasol, a manufacturer and retailer of sustainable skin care products. In 2020, she told Medium, 'Don't be afraid of the word 'no.' Successful people, entrepreneurs, and women more than anyone else are told 'no' all the time. If we allowed 'no' to deter us we wouldn't be where we are today.' 'I'm ready to continue to grow and surround myself with positive uplifting people that believe in me, my ability to execute, and my vision for the future,' she added.
Newsweek
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial Today: The 4 Big Revelations From Court
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Casandra Ventura, the singer and model known as Cassie, delivered powerful and emotional testimony on Tuesday in the federal racketeering and sex-trafficking case against Sean "Diddy" Combs. Speaking softly but firmly before a jury, Ventura detailed more than a decade of what she described as escalating control, manipulation, physical abuse and coerced sexual encounters, positioning herself as the central figure in the government's case. The Context The appearance of Ventura, dressed in a long brown dress, marks the first time she has publicly elaborated on her allegations since filing a civil suit in November 2023. The case triggered a federal investigation and led to Combs' arrest in 2024. Though court documents had previously referred to her only as "Victim-1," there was little doubt she would be the prosecution's star witness. Her testimony may prove crucial to the government's claims that Combs operated a years-long criminal enterprise built on exploitation and control. Cassie Ventura and recording artist Sean "Diddy" Combs attend the Clive Davis and Recording Academy Pre-GRAMMY Gala and GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Jay-Z on January 27, 2018, in New York City. Cassie Ventura and recording artist Sean "Diddy" Combs attend the Clive Davis and Recording Academy Pre-GRAMMY Gala and GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Jay-Z on January 27, 2018, in New York Abuse And Emotional Manipulation Ventura, now 38 and 8 1/2 months pregnant, testified that her relationship with Combs was marred by repeated violence. "There were violent arguments that would usually result in some sort of physical abuse," she said. "Dragging, different things of that nature." In her testimony, she said that Combs would "mash me in my head, and that "he beat me too frequently," describing how she would have knots on her head and bruises. She recounted instances of being kicked, stomped on and slapped simply for making the "wrong face." She said she often felt dread when Combs visited her apartment in Los Angeles, unsure if he would be charming or furious. 'Freak-offs' And Coerced Sex One of the most disturbing parts of her testimony involved what she described as "freak-offs"—drug-fueled sexual encounters with male prostitutes, which she said she participated in under emotional duress. She described feeling "confused, nervous, but also loved him very much." When Combs introduced her to the idea of having freak-offs, Ventura said, "I just remember my stomach falling to my butt." She added, "Eventually, it became a job for me." The encounters, she said, were often filmed and became what she described as "blackmail materials" that she feared could be leaked because "he had many resources to do that." Extreme Control Over Personal And Professional Life Ventura met Combs in 2005, when she was 19, and signed a 10-album deal with his label, Bad Boy Records, in 2006. Despite recording "hundreds of songs," she said only one album was released, with Combs allegedly controlling which projects saw the light of day. "Nine" albums, she confirmed, were never released. He also had keys to her apartments, tracked her location through his staff, and used her career as leverage for personal access. Early Infatuation And Manipulation After Ventura turned 21 in 2007, their romantic relationship began on a trip to Miami, where she said Combs gave her a "blue dolphin" Ecstasy pill and they had sex for the first time on a boat. Initially, she described being "enamored" by him, caught up in his lifestyle and charisma. "We were just having a good time," she said. The relationship didn't become public until many years later, she testified, because she was his artist, along with family and personal concerns, including Combs' relationship with Kim Porter at the time. Additionally, she explained that Combs would call her "incessantly," as well as have assistants find out where she was. Ventura said that, over time, the romance soured into emotional dependency and psychological manipulation. "He could get anything done quickly. He had respect from everyone. He had respect from everyone, and he traveled quite a bit," she said. What People Are Saying Cassie Ventura testified before a federal jury on Tuesday about Combs' unpredictable behavior: "Make the wrong face, and the next thing I knew, I was getting hit in the face." Teny Geragos, one of Combs' lawyers, in the defense's opening statement: "Sean Combs is a complicated man, but this is not a complicated case. This case is about love, jealousy, infidelity and money." Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson, in the prosecution's opening statement: "He used his companies to manipulate women, forcing them with male escorts to have sex while he watched. He and his inner circle made sure he got everything he wanted." What Happens Next Ventura will likely face cross-examination by Combs' attorneys. The jury will weigh Ventura's claims as the trial continues into the summer, with more witnesses expected to corroborate key elements of the prosecution's case.
