Ex-Diddy Stylist Lifts Lid on Cassie’s Relationship with NFLer Andre Branch
Cut to the chase: a former stylist in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s inner circle took the stand this spring, testifying that singer‐model Cassie Ventura was romantically involved with former NFL defensive end Andre Branch. In a Los Angeles County courtroom appearance reported by TMZ and People Magazine, this ex‐Diddy stylist offered the first third‐party confirmation of a relationship long whispered about in entertainment circles. According to court documents obtained by Rolling Stone, the witness stated that Cassie and Branch’s connection unfolded during a lull in her high‐profile partnership with Combs, which ended in 2018.
Testimony highlighted that Cassie and Branch were spotted together at a private Malibu dinner in late 2018, and again at a Miami nightclub in early 2019. The stylist recalled overhearing Branch refer to Ventura as “my girl” in a hotel lobby conversation. That detail surfaced under oath as a key piece of evidence amid Cassie’s ongoing defamation suit against Diddy, where she alleges the music mogul spread false narratives about their split. Both TMZ and Page Six corroborate that the stylist’s statements were backed by contemporaneous text exchanges and calendar entries.
Branch, who played seven NFL seasons with the Jaguars and later the Carolina Panthers, has neither confirmed nor denied the relationship in public statements. His silence—documented in a recent request for comment filed by USA Today—means the stylist’s testimony remains the most concrete account so far. Meanwhile, Cassie’s legal team, led by attorney Camille Vasquez, argued that these details underscore Ventura’s autonomy and refute Diddy’s claim that she was financially dependent on him at the time.
Importantly, this testimony comes amid a flurry of depositions and exhibits unsealed this month. People Magazine reports that emails between Cassie and her manager further suggest she coordinated appearances with Branch to maintain her professional brand. The stylist also revealed that Combs—once a mentor to Ventura—expressed surprise upon discovering her new connection, according to an email excerpt submitted as evidence.
With both TMZ and The Hollywood Reporter confirming the stylist’s credibility—she previously worked on high-profile music videos for Bad Boy Records—the courtroom drama has taken a fresh turn. As sources close to the case tell ET Online, Diddy’s legal team is now expected to challenge the validity of unverified texts, setting the stage for a protracted evidentiary battle.
And there you have it. Make of that what you will. Stay tuned: next up is deposition testimony from Cassie’s former publicist—and that could reshape everything we thought we knew about this star-studded breakup saga.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, People Magazine, Rolling Stone, Page Six
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
