Latest news with #WhatIsMyStarWorth
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Jim Carrey didn't testify at Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial
Claim: Comedian Jim Carrey testified at rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex-trafficking trial in May 2025. Rating: A rumor that circulated online beginning in late May 2025 claimed actor Jim Carrey testified at rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex-trafficking trial in New York. For example, on May 29, a manager of the Black Is Best YouTube channel posted a video titled (archived), "1 MINUTE AGO: Jim Carrey Testifies In Court On Day 12 Of Diddy Trial." The clip alleged that at a 2006 party Combs "forced" Carrey to strip naked and step into a bath filled with cold tomato sauce. The video received over 344,000 views as of this writing. The thumbnail image included a cartoon-like inset picture, much like an artificial-intelligence (AI) tool might generate, showing a shirtless Combs behind a shirtless Carrey, along with a caption suggesting sexual activity. On the same day, a manager of the WhatIsMyStarWorth YouTube channel also posted a video reading (archived), "1 MINUTE AGO: Jim Carrey 'I Took a Bath with Diddy to Get Famous' This Flipped the Courtroom..." According to the clip, Carrey allegedly testified, "I took a bath with 'Diddy' to get famous." That video earned over 206,000 views. The thumbnail image displayed a photo of Combs and Carrey wearing bathrobes and displayed the caption, "I felt helpless." Users on Facebook (archived), Threads (archived) and TikTok (archived) shared this rumor as well. However, both YouTube videos, as well as other YouTube clips about the rumor, featured text descriptions with a disclaimer about fictional content. That disclaimer, only visible upon clicking "more" to expand the description to its full length, read, "Disclaimer: This content is fictional and intended for entertainment purposes only. No verified court evidence or official statements confirm these claims." Also, searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo found no news media outlets reporting any news of Carrey as a witness testifying at Combs' trial. As a result, we've rated the claim false. Snopes contacted a representative for Carrey to ask for comment about the matter and will update this story if we receive more information. The two aforementioned YouTube creators, as well as others, promoted false information about Combs' background and trial. They continued a long line of videos featuring AI-generated editing, scripting and voice narration. The clips included authentic photos alongside fabricated rumors about celebrities' involvement with Combs, seemingly all for YouTube advertising revenue. Combs faces charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, all centered on so-called "freak-off" parties — alleged sexual marathons involving drug use and coercion. Combs pleaded not guilty; if convicted, he faces a minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison. For further reading, Snopes previously reported about why someone testifying at Combs' trial mentioned former U.S. President Barack Obama's name in the courtroom. Cohen, Luc, and Jonathan Stempel. "Sean 'Diddy' Combs Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Trafficking; Judge Denies Bail." Reuters, 18 Sept. 2024, Landrum Jr., Jonathan. "Diddy Faces Public Scrutiny over Alleged Sex Crimes as Questions Arise about Future of His Music." The Associated Press, 21 Sept. 2024, Sisario, Ben, and Julia Jacobs. "Drugs, Sex, Baby Oil: The 'Freak-Offs' at the Core of Sean Combs's Troubles." The New York Times, 22 Sept. 2024,
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Wendy Williams didn't testify at Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial. An AI-generated video claimed otherwise
Claim: Former television talk show host Wendy Williams testified against Sean 'Diddy' Combs during his criminal trial in New York trial for sex trafficking and other crimes. Rating: A claim alleging former talk show host and media personality Wendy Williams testified against Sean "Diddy" Combs, the rapper and music executive on trial in a New York federal court facing charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, circulated on the internet in May 2025. Users were quick to share the rumor on social media platforms like Facebook (archived) and TikTok (archived), but it had particular traction on YouTube (archived, archived). A grand jury indictment further charged Combs with creating "a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice." @ #foryou #fyp #news #trending #breakingnews #celeb #hollywood #diddy #wendywilliams #jayz #oprah ♬ original sound - Though Williams has been publicly critical of Combs throughout the years, the claim that she testified against him is false. There is no evidence that Williams appeared at the trial and searches on Google and DuckDuckGo reveal no credible outlet reported this claim. On May 21, 2025, a video (archived) created at least partially with artificial intelligence (AI) appeared on a YouTube channel with a disclaimer that read, "The content on this channel may contain gossip-based information, rumors, or exaggerated portrayals of reality. Please exercise your own discretion while watching and remember that not all information presented may be factual or verified." Further, the video itself contained a disclaimer in its description that read, "this content is fictional and intended for entertainment purposes only. No verified court documents or official statements confirm these claims." The description of the video also featured a note under the heading "how this content was made" that read, "Sound or visuals were significantly edited or digitally generated." Indeed, plugging the video into the AI-detection tool Hive Moderation revealed that the voice-over audio was 99% likely to have been generated with AI. Many of the visuals used in the video are authentic clips of Williams and Combs from prior interviews or courtroom sketches available online. (Hive Moderation) The same YouTube channel, WhatIsMyStarWorth, shared similar false claims Snopes has previously fact-checked. These include allegations that Samuel L. Jackson and Usher testified against Combs and that a secret Prince recording was played during the trial. A quick look at the channel's video page revealed a slew of rumors conjured about various notable names with no tangible involvement in the Combs trial using AI-generated thumbnail images of Combs and the celebrities in question. (WhatIsMyStarWorth on YouTube) The video purported that the news came from an outlet called Inner City Press, though there is no evidence that Inner City Press reported on Williams in relation to the trial. Further, the outlet previously debunked similar claims that falsely credited it with being the source of the fictional news. - YouTube. Accessed 23 May 2025. CBC. "Diddy on Trial - Transcript." CBC Radio, 22 May 2025. "Diddy Faces Public Scrutiny over Alleged Sex Crimes as Questions Arise about Future of His Music." AP News, 21 Sept. 2024, Esposito, Joey. "Samuel L. Jackson Did Not Testify at Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial." Snopes, 23 May 2025, France, Lisa Respers. "Courtroom Sketches of the Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial Are Drawing Quite a Reaction." CNN, 21 May 2025, Liles, Jordan. "Secret Prince Recording Wasn't Played at Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial." Snopes, 19 May 2025, ---. "Usher Didn't Testify in Court against Sean 'Diddy' Combs." Snopes, 21 May 2025, Scannell, Nicki Brown, Lauren del Valle, Kara. "May 20, 2025 - Day 7 of Testimony in the Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial." CNN, 20 May 2025, United States of America v. Sean Combs. United States District Court Southern District of New York, "United States v. COMBS, 1:24-Cr-00542 - CourtListener, Accessed 23 May 2025. What Is Sean "Diddy" Combs Charged with and How Long Will His Trial Last? 13 May 2025,
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Usher didn't testify in court against Sean 'Diddy' Combs
Claim: Usher testified against Sean "Diddy" Combs during his New York trial, on or prior to May 20, 2025. Rating: A rumor that circulated online in May 2025 claimed that eight-time Grammy-winning musician Usher testified in court against rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs during his New York trial. However, as of May 20, Usher had not testified in court during Combs' trial. A YouTube user promoted this false rumor in a video generated with artificial intelligence (AI) that received millions of views. That video's text description included a disclaimer about the clip containing fictional content, although the part of the description containing the disclaimer was hidden by default and users who did not click "more" to expand the text could easily have missed it. Snopes contacted by email the YouTube user who promoted this rumor, as well as representatives for Usher, and will update this story if we learn more information. The false rumor about Usher testifying in court spread during Combs' trial in Manhattan federal court, just one day after singer Dawn Richard alleged during testimony that Usher witnessed a 2010 incident of Combs punching then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura "hard" at a West Hollywood, California, restaurant. Combs faces charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, all centered on so-called "freak-off" parties — alleged sexual marathons involving drug use and coercion. Combs pleaded not guilty; if convicted, he faces a minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison. On May 20, a manager of the WhatIsMyStarWorth YouTube channel posted a video (archived) with the title, "1 MINUTE AGO: Usher Breaks Down in Court, Reveals What Diddy Did to Him at 14..." The video received nearly 3.5 million views as of this writing on May 21. Other users then shared the same rumor on Facebook (archived), TikTok (archived) and X (archived), as well as in other YouTube videos. The video's thumbnail image displayed a fake "breaking news" chyron with AI-generated photos of Usher and Combs, including one photo of a young, clothed Usher appearing to lie in a bed next to a shirtless Combs. The image also the words "I was just 14 man...," which Usher purportedly said in court. The title and fake thumbnail image — one depicting a shirtless Combs and a bed — alluded to Combs supposedly engaging in sex with Usher when he was a minor. The WhatIsMyStarWorth YouTube channel displayed this fake thumbnail image with their video. (Image courtesy of WhatIsMyStarWorth/YouTube) The description under the video included a brief summary, as well as a disclaimer only visible if viewers clicked "more" to expand the text: In an emotional and unexpected moment during the ongoing Diddy trial, Usher reportedly took the stand and broke down in tears, revealing a deeply personal and disturbing experience from his youth. According to sources close to the case, Usher claimed that something involving Sean "Diddy" Combs happened when he was just 14 years old—and what he shared has left the courtroom in shock. In this video, we break down the details of Usher's alleged testimony, the courtroom's reaction, and what this means for the rapidly unfolding case. This could be a major turning point, not only legally, but in how the entertainment world views one of its most powerful figures. Disclaimer: This content is fictional and for entertainment purposes only. No official court records or verified reports confirm these claims. The WhatIsMyStarWorth channel's bio page featured a similar disclaimer reading, "DISCLAIMER: The content on this channel may contain gossip-based information, rumors, or exaggerated portrayals of reality. Please exercise your own discretion while watching and remember that not all information presented may be factual or verified." The video also displayed an "altered or synthetic content" label referencing, at least in part, the clip's AI-generated voice narration. The same fake voice appeared under the name "Bill" on the ElevenLabs AI voice model website. The user who created the clip also possibly prompted an AI tool to handle the video's scripting and editing. Scans of the narrator's script with the AI text-detection websites Copyleaks, QuillBot and ZeroGPT produced differing results. At the beginning of the video, the AI-voiced narrator says, "Before we begin, viewer discretion is strongly advised. The following is for educational and entertainment purposes only. This is the verbatim federal courtroom testimony of the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial, as reported by Inner City Press." However, Inner City Press never reported on Usher testifying during the trial. A person associated with the publication previously posted (archived) on X about their inclusion in such false videos, specifically refuting the idea they reported on the prosecution revealing a secret "tape" recording depicting Prince exposing Combs. In a direct message to Snopes on X, they labeled such videos as "false reports," adding that advertising revenue seemed to possibly be the YouTube channel's goal. Snopes previously reported that Inner City Press never reported on any such Prince recording and that the prosecution did not play any "tape" involving the late musician. Despite the video's thumbnail image, the video itself made no mention of Combs and Usher sharing a bed. The clip's narrator instead described Usher's alleged testimony in court — which did not occur — featuring details from Combs' influence on the rising star, beginning in decades past. In 2004, Rolling Stone reported on some of these same stories involving Usher and Combs in an article (archived) titled "Usher's Wild Ride." "AI Detector." QuillBot, "AI Detector - Free AI Checker for ChatGPT, GPT-4, Gemini & More." Copyleaks, "AI Detector - Trusted AI Checker for ChatGPT, GPT4 & Gemini." ZeroGPT, Cohen, Luc, and Luc Cohen. "Sean 'Diddy' Combs Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Trafficking; Judge Denies Bail." Reuters, 18 Sept. 2024, "Disclosing Use of Altered or Synthetic Content - Computer." YouTube Help, "Free Text to Speech & AI Voice Generator." ElevenLabs, Grigoriadis, Vanessa. "Usher's Wild Ride." Rolling Stone, 13 May 2004, @innercitypress. "No, There Was No Prince Audio Played in the US v. Sean Combs Trial Last Week - Though Apparently..." X, 19 May 2025, Landrum Jr., Jonathan. "Diddy Faces Public Scrutiny over Alleged Sex Crimes as Questions Arise about Future of His Music." The Associated Press, 21 Sept. 2024, Maddox, Bentley. "Dawn Richard Testifies Usher Witnessed Sean 'Diddy' Combs Punch Cassie Ventura in Stomach." E! Online, 20 May 2025, Sisario, Ben, and Julia Jacobs. "Drugs, Sex, Baby Oil: The 'Freak-Offs' at the Core of Sean Combs's Troubles." The New York Times, 22 Sept. 2024, "Usher | Artist."
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Viral YouTube video makes false claims about Sheila E's ‘testimony' in Diddy Trial
A YouTube video recently claimed that singer and writer Sheila E has allegedly testified in Sean Diddy Combs federal trial. The video was shared by YouTube channel WhatIsMyStarWorth on May 19. '1 MINUTE AGO: Sheila E. Reveals What Prince Told Her About Diddy Before His Death...' reads the video headline. The description of the video goes on to state that 'Sheila E has come forward with what Prince allegedly confided in her before his death—and it involves none other than Sean 'Diddy' Combs.' The video alleges to 'break down Sheila E's statement. The YouTube video has garnered over 650,000 views so far. Take a look at the video here: 1 MINUTE AGO: Sheila E. Reveals What Prince Told Her About Diddy Before His Death... What the description of YouTube video alleging Sheila E testimony in Sean Diddy Combs case says The description reads: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Viral Video: मृत्यू कसाही येऊ शकतो! सीसीटीव्हीत कैद झाली काळीज पिळवटणारी घटना Latest News Read More Undo 'In a shocking revelation that's lighting up headlines, legendary musician Sheila E has come forward with what Prince allegedly confided in her before his death—and it involves none other than Sean 'Diddy' Combs. According to Sheila E, Prince shared a chilling warning about Diddy that is now resurfacing amidst the explosive trial and growing controversy surrounding the hip-hop mogul. In this video, we break down Sheila E's emotional statement, what Prince allegedly saw happening in the industry, and why his words are now being seen in a very different light. As past secrets begin to surface, the connection between music's biggest names is taking on a darker, more disturbing meaning.' Did Sheila E testify in Sean Diddy Combs case: The Truth While the video alleges that singer Sheila E., known for her work with Prince, testified on the seventh day of the trial in a 'shocking twist', it does not provide any credible source or evidence to support this claim. It also wrongly suggests that Diddy was involved in the death of singer Prince, who died on April 21, 2016. Authorities have confirmed that Prince's death was caused by an accidental fentanyl overdose, and no foul play was reported. Another false statement in the video is that the investigative journalism group Inner City Press, which has been covering Diddy's trial, reported on Sheila E.'s alleged testimony. Inner City Press has not reported any such information. YouTube video alleging Sheila E testimony comes with a disclaimer The YouTube channel that posted the video, WhatIsMyStarWorth, also includes a disclaimer in its profile that casts further doubt on the accuracy of its content. The disclaimer reads: "This content is fictional and for entertainment purposes only. No official reports confirm these statements or events."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fact Check: Secret Prince recording wasn't played at Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial
Claim: During Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex-trafficking trial in New York in May 2025, prosecutors presented a recording from Prince's final days alive, in which he divulged details of Combs' alleged illicit activities at past parties. Rating: A rumor that circulated online in May 2025 claimed federal prosecutors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' New York sex-trafficking trial presented as evidence a secret recording of Prince exposing the music mogul. Specifically, the rumor said that, in the seven-time Grammy-winning recording artist's final days alive, Prince divulged details of Combs' alleged illicit activities at past parties, including saying, "If something happens to me, this recording needs to go to the press or the police, either one." However, searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo found no news media outlets credibly reporting anything about a Prince video or audio recording at Combs' trial. Instead, those searches displayed links to YouTube videos promoting similar rumors in previous days and months, all with misleading and sensationalist thumbnail images. A video (archived) from WhatIsMyStarWorth, a YouTube channel promoting the rumor, showed a text description describing the clip as fictional content — a disclaimer only visible upon expanding the text description by clicking "more." The same clip also displayed a YouTube-enabled disclaimer about "altered or synthetic content," referencing the artificial intelligence (AI)-generated scripting and voice narration. Further, the inauthentic thumbnail image showing pictures of Prince and Combs claimed the matter involved a "Prince & 'Diddy' video" recording, while the YouTube video itself contradicted that claim, only telling of an audio recording. On May 14, R&B singer Cassie, formally Cassie Ventura — Combs' ex-girlfriend who testified against him during the trial — said in court that she once fled Prince's house during a party after noticing Combs' presence, alleging Combs later physically assaulted her at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Her testimony made no mention of a Prince recording. Prince died on April 21, 2016. Weeks later, on June 2, a Minnesota medical examiner announced Prince's cause of death as an accidental overdose of fentanyl. Snopes contacted by email a manager of the WhatIsMyStarWorth YouTube channel to ask why they didn't feature the fictional content disclaimer anywhere in the video itself, and if their primary goal is advertising revenue based on promoting misleading content. We will update this article if we learn more information. On May 18, a manager of the WhatIsMyStarWorth YouTube channel, one of many channels promoting the rumor, posted a video (archived) titled, "1 MINUTE AGO: Prince's SECRET Recording Just Shattered Diddy's Trial…" As of this writing, the clip received over 757,000 views. Other users also promoted the same false rumor on Bluesky (archived), Facebook, Threads (archived), TikTok, X (archived) and YouTube (archived). The clip displayed a brief text description including a disclaimer about its fabricated content: In a stunning turn of events, a previously unreleased recording from the late music icon Prince has surfaced — and it's reportedly causing major damage to the ongoing trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs. The recording, said to have been made in confidence, contains explosive insights and personal warnings that directly tie into the heart of the case. In this video, we break down the content of the alleged recording, how it resurfaced, and why it's being described as a game-changer in the courtroom. Prince, known for his cryptic genius and deep knowledge of the music industry, may have left behind more than just music—he may have left a warning no one expected. This revelation could shift everything. Disclaimer: This content is fictional and for entertainment purposes only. No official sources confirm the existence of such a recording. The video begins with the AI-generated voice narrator announcing the disclaimer, "Before we begin, viewer discretion is strongly advised. The following is for educational and entertainment purposes only." In the very next sentence, the narrator says, "This is the verbatim federal courtroom testimony of the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial, as reported by Inner City Press." The authentic Inner City Press online presence said on X (archived) that the idea of the prosecution playing a Prince recording, and their publication reporting on it, were both false. The video doesn't feature an AI-generated version of Prince's image and voice on a recording. Rather, the clip's AI-generated narrator speaks about the words purportedly said by Prince on the alleged "tape." After one moment, the narrator says that Combs stood up and yelled in the courtroom, "That's a lie!" According to the narrator, the prosecution timed the reveal of the alleged secret recording to catch Combs with his guard down, in order to show the jury his "rage, guilt [and] loss of control" — a story the YouTube creator or someone else fabricated entirely. The fictional story spread during Combs' trial in Manhattan federal court. In September 2024, the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York charged him with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, all centered on so-called "freak-off" parties — alleged sexual marathons involving drug use and coercion. Combs pleaded not guilty; if convicted, he faces a minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in jail. Between May 16 and 19, the WhatIsMyStarWorth YouTube channel created other videos also centered on Combs' trial, similarly containing disclaimers about fictional content. The video "1 MINUTE AGO: Cassie Reveals What She Saw Inside Diddy's Secret Tunnels" received over 961,000 views; "1 MINUTE AGO: Justin Bieber Step In On Day 5, Diddy Loses It in Court" displayed more than 403,000 views; "1 MINUTE AGO: 50 Cent ENDED Diddy's Case in Court, What Happened Next Was Shocking...." showed nearly 940,000 views; "1 MINUTE AGO: Diddy's Bodyguard Finally Releases the Tape, Courtroom in SHOCK..." earned around 400,000 views; and "1 MINUTE AGO: Mo'Nique Names Tyler Perry, Oprah & Diddy in EXPLOSIVE Testimony..." revealed about 227,000 views, all of this writing. For further reading, a previous fact check examined whether Prince once said, "Money won't buy you happiness, but it'll pay for the search." Bacher, Danielle, and Liam Quinn. "Cassie Says She Fled 'Once in a Lifetime' Experience at Prince's House After Learning Diddy Was There Too." 14 May 2025, Cohen, Luc, and Jonathan Stempel. "Sean 'Diddy' Combs Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Trafficking; Judge Denies Bail." Reuters, 18 Sept. 2024, Gainer, Alice, and Mark Prussin. "Singer Dawn Richard Testifies at Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial, along with a Former Friend of Cassie's." CBS News, 19 May 2025, Italie, Hillel, et al. "Prince, Hugely Inventive, Influential Musician, Dead at 57." The Associated Press, 22 Apr. 2016, Landrum Jr., Jonathan. "Diddy Faces Public Scrutiny over Alleged Sex Crimes as Questions Arise about Future of His Music." The Associated Press, 21 Sept. 2024, "Prince | Artist." Sisario, Ben, and Julia Jacobs. "Drugs, Sex, Baby Oil: The 'Freak-Offs' at the Core of Sean Combs's Troubles." The New York Times, 22 Sept. 2024, "Timeline of Key Events in Investigation into Prince's Death." The Associated Press, 18 Apr. 2018,
