Exotic dancer Sharay ‘The Punisher’ Hayes apologizes to Cassie following Diddy trial testimony

In the wake of his testimony at the Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial, exotic dancer Sharay 'The Punisher' Hayes has offered an apology to Cassie Ventura. Sean Combs' trial has captured public attention because of testimonies from multiple witnesses, who have come forward to share their accounts. Among the voices that emerged during the proceedings was that of Sharay Hayes, who made some startling claims about the freak-offs that he had taken part in previously.

For the uninitiated, the relationship between Sharay Hayes and Cassie Ventura began in 2012 when he was hired to perform at Trump Tower. Sharay Hayes' testimony included details about the settings of the alleged freak-offs, Diddy's participation in it, and his assertion of being paid $800 for his initial performance. However, 'The Punisher' has now expressed remorse for his unwitting role in what he now recognizes as a potentially abusive dynamic.

In a recent interview with CNN on May 28, 2025, he said:

"I would apologize (to Cassie Ventura). I had no idea, no indication of what she was going through. My involvement kind of furthered her suffering. So, me knowing that as a man being raised by a single mom and a grandma [and] partaking in a scenario where a woman is possibly being abused is tough to hear. I would just apologize to her and tell her that I was really remorseful and regret if I contributed to a bad experience."

Sharay also shed light on his experience at the courtroom after his testimony:

"I really thought my testimony – because there was nothing negative, nothing whatever – I really thought it was something that the defense would benefit from. I’m not a legal analyst or anything. But sometimes I said, well, maybe the prosecution just wants to question me and have everything in case the defense calls me. Because I really couldn’t understand how I was significant to their case. But there’s probably something there that I’m just unaware of."

More on Cassie Ventura's testimony

Sharay Hayes' public apology comes after a host of witnesses have taken to the stand to reveal a pattern of alleged abuse and exploitation that Cassie suffered at the hands of Sean 'Diddy' Combs while they were together. Diddy's defence counsel, for their part, have continued to deny the allegations and are maintaining his innocence in the case, amid a pile of witness testimonies and evidence mounting against their client.

In her testimony during the first week of the trial, Ventura had said:

"Every freak-off was directed by Sean. Like, he knew specifically where he wanted everyone to be, the lighting and such. When I chose to leave, I grabbed what I could and I got out and Sean followed me into the hallway before the elevators and grabbed me up, threw me on the ground, kicked me, tried to drag me back to the room."

When asked about her motivations for putting forth the case, she said:

"I can't carry this anymore. I can't carry the same, the guilt, the way I was guided to treat people like they were disposable. What's right is right, what's wrong is wrong. I'm here to do the right thing."

Sharay 'The Punisher' Hayes' public apology was as shocking an event as his testimony. Amid reports that Cassie Ventura has become a parent for the third time, this event has shed new light on the developments around the case.

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