Puregold Channel ‘Si Sol at si Luna’—The Series That Hits Different

 

Puregold Channel just raised the bar—again.

Following the breakout digital hits ‘My Plantito’ and ‘Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile’, Puregold Channel has stepped confidently into the realm of cinematic-scale storytelling with its newest offering: ‘Si Sol at Si Luna’. The series was unveiled in a star-studded press conference held on May 16 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, making a quantum leap in Puregold’s journey as a force in Filipino digital entertainment.

In ‘Si Sol at Si Luna’, Zaijian Jaranilla and Jane Oineza shed their child-star images for roles steeped in emotional complexity and adult vulnerability, a distinct first for both actors. It’s a career-defining turn for Jaranilla, compelling him to deliver his most mature performance yet in his first intimate scene—a bold moment not just for him but for Philippine retailtainment.

However, the series’ real power lies beyond the sensual as it explores grief, longing, and the uncomfortable space between connection and timing. As Sol, a film student seeking creative spark, falls for the older, emotionally scarred Luna, their relationship forces a confrontation with the hard truths of age, loss, and love that doesn’t fit the mold.


For Puregold Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, the wistful insights depicted in ‘Si Sol at si Luna’ are what make it more than just your garden variety romcom.


“At its core, the series is about love—but not the kind that comes easy,” says Hayagan-Piedad. “It asks: Where do we find love? What do we do with it when it comes at the most unexpected time? Luna’s story is about loving through grief. Sol’s is about loving through transformation. Whether love can survive both—that’s the question the audience will ponder on.”

With ‘Si Sol at Si Luna’, Puregold Channel is staking its claim as a powerhouse content studio—one that blends commercial value with creative boldness. This is where sharp writing meets honest emotion. Where full-length narratives meet bite-sized platforms. And where every Filipino, no matter where they are, can watch themselves reflected in stories worth telling.

Visibly excited at the press conference were the series leads Zaijian Jaranilla and Jane Oineza, as well as supporting members of the star-studded cast, including Joao Constancia, Uzziel Delamide, Vaughn Piczon, Lyle Viray, Jem Manicad, Marnie Lapus, and the breakout star, Atasha Franco.

‘Si Sol at si Luna’ will drop its very first episode on the Puregold Channel on YouTube on May 31, with a new episode set to be released every Saturday thereafter.

Stay tuned in! Subscribe to Puregold Channel on YouTube, like @puregold.shopping on Facebook, follow @puregold_ph on Instagram and X, and @puregoldph on TikTok for more updates.

GAT’s Ethan David clears ‘false narratives’ in viral BINI video

Following the online controversy surrounding a viral video involving members of P-pop group BINI, GAT's Ethan David has released a new statement to address what he describes as "false narratives" circulating online.

The video, which emerged online recently, showed Ethan and dancer Shawn Castro engaged in a simulated sexually suggestive scenario in front of BINI's Jhoanna, Stacey, and Colet. A comment off-camera referenced a 13-year-old, leading many online users to accuse those involved of joking about inappropriate conduct towards a minor.

Ethan took to his social media platforms on Thursday, May 15, explaining that the intense negative reaction has significantly affected his mental health and prompted him to speak up. He directly addressed the accusation regarding a minor.

He stated clearly that he has "NEVER been involved in any inappropriate relationship with a minor," firmly condemning such behavior. He added that the accusations made against him are "baseless but extremely damaging."

The 22-year-old P-pop idol clarified that he himself was the 13-year-old being referred to in the controversial clip. He explained that the situation mentioned in the video happened when he was a young teenager in Canada, describing it as an "innocent puppy love" experience. He chose not to name the other individual involved out of respect for their privacy, emphasizing it was a "harmless, age-appropriate childhood experience."

Ethan offered a renewed apology and vowed to learn from the issue, promising to move forward with "greater awareness and respect." This statement follows the apology issued by BINI on May 8, where they described the video as a private moment among friends. Ethan also released an initial statement through VIVA Artists’ Agency that same night, accepting responsibility for his actions, which his mother later commented was a clip taken out of context, though she acknowledged his actions.

Girl power! BINI among Filipinos named in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Class of 2025

The renowned Forbes "30 Under 30" list, which highlights young individuals across Asia making significant impacts, has unveiled its Class of 2025, featuring notable Filipinos. Among the distinguished honorees is the popular P-pop girl group BINI.

BINI earned their spot under the Entertainment and Sports category. Forbes specifically recognized their impressive trajectory, pointing to their recent world tour across 15 locations and their massive sold-out concert at the 50,000-capacity Philippine Arena earlier this year.

The magazine also cited BINI's prior accolades, including the Best Asia Act award at the MTV Europe Music Awards and the Voices of Asia award at Billboard K Power 100's Seoul event. Further cementing their influence, Billboard Philippines named all eight members its Women of the Year after their hit songs collectively garnered over a billion streams on Spotify.

Beyond BINI, several other talented Filipinos were recognized in the 2025 list across various fields. This includes chess Grandmaster Daniel Quizon, also in Entertainment and Sports, and visual artist Renren Galeno under Social Media, Marketing and Advertising. Social Impact honorees include food sustainability advocate Anna Beatriz Suavengco and Team Dugong Bughaw NGO founder Jasper Ruby Vijar. In Finance and Venture Capital, Ysabel Chua, Vice President at Forge Ventures, and Raya Buensuceso, Managing Director at Kaya Founders, were recognized.

Formed through ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy and debuting in 2021, BINI consists of members Jhoanna, Mikha, Sheena, Stacey, Colet, Aiah, Gwen, and Maloi. Their rise to prominence saw a significant boost after their song "Pantropiko" went viral, paving the way for other hits like "Salamin, Salamin," "Cherry on Top," and "Blink Twice" to chart.

Forbes revealed that the final list was curated from a pool of 4,500 nominations spanning 20 countries and territories within the Asia-Pacific region. An independent panel of expert judges evaluated candidates based on criteria such as funding or revenue, social and industry impact, market fit, inventiveness, and potential. All honorees are required to be 29 years old or younger as of December 31, 2024.

The 2025 list features recognition across diverse sectors including Consumer and Enterprise Technology, AI, Industry, Manufacturing and Energy, Retail and Commerce, The Arts, and Healthcare and Science, highlighting innovation and achievement in various domains.

Looking back, the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list also featured seven Filipinos, including content creators Arshie Larga and Abigail Marquez, founder Amanda Cua, rapper EZ Mil, artist and founder Chia Amisola, artist Joshua Serafin, and co-founder Mikaela Reyes, showcasing a continued strong presence from the Philippines on this prestigious regional list.

As ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ premieres, Dolly de Leon shares another surprise

Exciting news for fans of Filipina actress Dolly de Leon! As the highly anticipated second season of *Nine Perfect Strangers* gears up for its premiere on Prime Video this May 22, Dolly shared a fantastic update: she's already deep into filming *another* international series!

During a recent video interview, Dolly revealed, "I’m doing a series which I already filmed last March." While she couldn't spill too many details yet as the project hasn't been officially announced, she confirmed, "We’ve already started filming last March. And I’m going back in August to continue filming."

Meanwhile, viewers are eager to see Dolly make her global series debut in *Nine Perfect Strangers* Season 2. Set in a secluded resort nestled within the stunning Austrian Alps, the psychological drama once again features Nicole Kidman as the enigmatic wellness guru, Masha Dmitrichenko. She invites nine strangers for a unique week-long retreat promising "transformational wellness," involving unconventional therapies.

Dolly joins an impressive international cast including Nicole Kidman, Henry Golding, Mark Strong, Christine Baranski, and many more. She takes on the role of Agnes, an intriguing character described as an ex-nun and nurse.

Joining such a star-studded lineup could be daunting, and Dolly admitted to feeling the nerves. "I was really nervous about working with the cast because I’m a huge fan of all of them," she shared, recalling her feelings before flying to Europe for filming. "I’ve admired their work for a long time already."

She also added that she was unsure what the personalities would be like or how working on an American/German set would differ, especially as this was her first international series. But watching her performance as Agnes, holding her own alongside Oscar, Golden Globe, and Emmy winners and nominees, truly highlights her immense talent and the significant impact she's made since her breakthrough in *Triangle of Sadness*.

Dolly had valuable input in shaping the character of Agnes. She worked closely with director Jonathan Levine, discussing Agnes's journey, particularly her past as an ex-nun. "We worked on her together as a team," Dolly explained, emphasizing that this collaboration and agency over her character was something she deeply valued.

Interestingly, the character Agnes is originally from Manila but entered and studied at the convent in Europe, which is where her transition into a nun happened. Dolly noted, "But she really grew up in the Philippines," adding another layer to the character's background.

Dolly shared that both Jonathan Levine, who directed the initial episodes, and Anthony Byrne, who directed the later ones, were wonderful collaborators. They met with each actor individually, listening to their ideas about their characters and giving them ample space to explore and experiment.

Playing Agnes also prompted Dolly to reflect on her own faith. Raised a devout Catholic, she could deeply relate to Agnes, even though she doesn't currently practice. "Confession was a big part of my upbringing and culture... Although now I’m not practicing, I still was able to relate very much with Agnes because Catholicism is a part of my DNA," she said, adding, "You can always take the person out of the religion but not the religion out of the person." She leaned heavily on her past beliefs and her current faith in a higher power to portray Agnes.

Working alongside Nicole Kidman was another highlight. Dolly expected her to be very serious, given her icon status, but found her to be "fun to work with." Nicole knew how to enjoy herself while remaining fully present in the moment.

She also bonded with Henry Golding, discovering his familiarity with the Philippines from his past travel hosting career, even learning to cook chicken adobo. Dolly felt they connected due to their shared biracial background and called him a "lifelong friend" – describing him as cool, funny, and down-to-earth.

Dolly described the cast as a "happy group," bonding well with Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Aras Aydin, Annie Murphy, Murray Bartlett, King Princess, Lucas Englander, and Mark Strong. She felt each person brought something unique to the dynamic, and she learned a lot from everyone.

One of the most memorable filming moments was shooting a scene during a real blizzard in the Austrian Alps. Despite being the only one from a tropical country and feeling intensely cold, Dolly, a University of the Philippines alumna, loved the experience. "It was so much fun because I love snow. It's really fun and it's very magical to me," she shared, calling it a "very, very special day."

Despite the freezing conditions, the production team ensured the cast was well taken care of, providing hot packs for every conceivable body part and ensuring multiple layers of clothing under their costumes.

Beyond the intense scenes, there were plenty of lighthearted moments. Dolly found the dancing and singing scenes particularly funny and enjoyable, especially improvising and rehearsing songs like the one for Murray Bartlett's character.

Reflecting on the show's theme of living in the moment versus dwelling on the past, Dolly admitted it's a challenge for her. While acknowledging the wisdom of letting go of the past, she believes it's crucial for understanding oneself and learning from mistakes to better navigate the present.

This May marks three years since Dolly captivated the world with her performance in Ruben Ostlund's Palme d’Or winner, *Triangle of Sadness*, at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. She has since taken on notable roles in American films like *Ghostlight*, *Between the Temples*, and *Jackpot!*, delivered brilliant voice work in *The Missing* (Iti Mapukpukaw), and returned to theater in *Request sa Radyo*, leading up to her debut in *Nine Perfect Strangers*.

Looking back at her Cannes experience, Dolly fondly recalled it as the "ultimate experience." As her first film festival, first international project, and first red carpet, it holds unparalleled significance. Despite attending many red carpets since, she maintains that "nothing beats the red carpet of Cannes" – calling it overwhelming, magical, and something she'll never forget. Her recognition from that role, including the Los Angeles Film Critics Best Supporting Performance award and a BAFTA nomination, remains a significant part of her journey.

As for what's next, Dolly is excited about the second global series she's working on, having already signed on for two seasons. She mentioned other projects are also in discussion. It seems there's much more to look forward to from this trailblazing Filipina actress on the international stage.

*Nine Perfect Strangers* Season 2 premieres on Prime Video on May 22 with two episodes, followed by weekly releases.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ ex-girlfriend says he raped her, paid $20 million in settlement

Former girlfriend of Sean "Diddy" Combs, Casandra Ventura, known professionally as Cassie, took the stand on Wednesday in the hip-hop mogul's criminal trial. She testified that Combs raped her in 2018, following the end of their relationship of over a decade.

Ventura also disclosed details about the civil lawsuit she filed against Combs in November 2023 concerning their relationship. She stated that Combs agreed to a $20 million settlement to resolve that case, an agreement reached just 24 hours after she initiated the legal action.

These revelations came during the third day of Combs' criminal proceedings. The 55-year-old music producer has entered a not guilty plea to five felony charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. A conviction on all counts could result in a minimum prison sentence of 15 years, potentially extending to life.

During her testimony, the 38-year-old singer became visibly emotional as she recounted the alleged rape incident in her living room. She tearfully stated, "I just remember crying and saying no but it was very fast," her voice faltering.

Ventura shared that she pursued the lawsuit against Combs nine months after undergoing rehabilitation and trauma therapy, which she sought due to "horrible flashbacks." She described feeling that she "didn’t want to be alive" before seeking professional help.

When asked in court about her decision to testify, Ventura explained she could no longer carry the emotional weight of years of alleged physical and emotional abuse from Combs. "I can’t carry this anymore," she said. "I can’t carry the shame, the guilt, the way he treated people like they were disposable. What’s right is right, what’s wrong is wrong. I came here to do the right thing."

Combs' legal team is scheduled to begin their cross-examination of Ventura on Thursday, a process that is expected to span two days. The defense has indicated their intention to question Ventura regarding what they have described as her own history of domestic violence.

Ventura is a key witness for the prosecution in the trial against Combs, which is anticipated to last up to two months. She appeared in court wearing a turtleneck dress and dark jacket for her second day of testimony.

She testified that Combs physically assaulted her during drug-fueled sex parties, which she referred to as "Freak-offs." Ventura alleged that he threatened to release videos of her participation and warned he would undermine her career.

Recounting specific instances of physical abuse, Ventura stated, "He would grab me up, push me down, hit me in the side of the head, kick me."

Ventura also described an incident in 2013 where she sustained a gash on her eyebrow after Combs allegedly threw her against a bed frame. She testified that he was dismissive when she showed him a photo of the injury, quoting him as saying, "You. Don’t know. When to. Stop... You have pushed it too far and continue to push. Sad."

Prosecutors presented jurors with seven still images of Ventura and various escorts, extracted from videos of the "Freak-offs." Reports from the courtroom noted the jurors' reactions, with one swallowing hard and another jerking his head back upon viewing the images. The press and spectators were not granted access to view these photos or the videos.

Photos previously taken by Ventura’s mother, showing bruises on Ventura's back and leg that she attributed to being kicked by Combs, were also shown to the jury.

Ventura told jurors that while fighting back against Combs sometimes temporarily slowed him down, it typically escalated the abuse, making him "more violent, make him stronger, make him want to push me harder."

She stated that Combs threatened her by saying speaking out "would ruin everything that I had worked for, that it would make me look like a slut. That I would be shamed." She added, "Nobody should do that to anyone."

Ventura acknowledged that she had initiated physical violence against Combs in the past but testified that she did not observe any injuries on him resulting from these instances.

She also testified to being heavily dependent on opiates throughout her relationship with Combs. Following their breakup, she reported experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder episodes, sleepwalking, and blackouts. Ventura stated she stopped using drugs in 2022 and is currently expecting her third child.

Combs remains in custody in Brooklyn when not present in court. Known by various monikers throughout his career, including Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, he is recognized for founding Bad Boy Records and contributing to the careers of artists like Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G., and Usher in the 1990s and 2000s. Combs is also facing numerous civil lawsuits from both women and men alleging sexual abuse; he has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that his relationships were consensual.

Ado transcends language barrier, sparks J-pop flame in Manila debut

Manila recently welcomed the highly anticipated debut of Japanese music sensation Ado, bringing her second world tour, aptly titled "Hibana" (Japanese for "spark"), to eager fans. The tour aims to ignite a larger passion for Japanese culture, starting with Ado's powerful music.

Before the show even began, the atmosphere at the SM Mall of Asia Arena was buzzing with energy. Fans arrived showcasing their dedication through handmade merchandise, ita-bags adorned with Ado themes, and even cosplays inspired by her work in anime series like One Piece and Vocaloid characters.

True to her signature style, Ado performed from within a backlit cube, preserving her anonymity and presenting herself solely as a compelling silhouette. This visual choice, sometimes depicting a jail cell or blending with dynamic screen projections, added a dramatic flair, enhancing the impact of her fully choreographed numbers against vibrant backdrops.

The concert kicked off with the high-octane track "Usseewa," Ado's breakthrough hit, instantly electrifying the crowd. The arena became a sea of synchronized blue light sticks, followed by dazzling oranges and yellows as she transitioned to songs like "Show." The audience's quick recognition and enthusiastic participation, including clapping along with the live band and reacting to pyrotechnics, highlighted their deep connection to her music.

Beyond her popular solo releases, Ado treated fans to songs she recorded for various anime series, including "Kura Kura" from Spy x Family, "Stay Gold" from BEYBLADE X, and "Backlight" from One Piece. She shared that this tour represented a significant personal journey, a way for the world to understand her better.

Amidst her performance, Ado candidly spoke about her journey, recalling her beginnings as an "utaite" covering Vocaloid songs online, a time marked by loneliness and criticism. She shared facing moments where she considered giving up, emphasizing the isolation she felt during her rise to fame.

Her vulnerability resonated deeply with the audience. Cheers of support and emotional reactions filled the venue, particularly during poignant performances like the Vocaloid classic "Hibana" – a nod to her roots and the tour's theme – and emotionally charged tracks such as "Charles," "RuLe.," and "Aishite Aishite Aishite." These songs, delivered with raw power and feeling, transcended the language barrier, conveying profound emotions of pain and grief.

Ado delivered a powerful message: "Loneliness isn’t something to be afraid of. That’s the message I want to share — beyond language, beyond borders — with the world." This sentiment underscored the unifying power of her music.

The main set concluded with a lively rendition of "Odo," prompting the predominantly English and Filipino-speaking crowd to chant for an encore in both Japanese ("mou ikkai") and Tagalog ("isa pa"). The visible dedication of the fans – from their organized light stick movements to their multilingual cheers – demonstrated just how effectively Ado's music connects across linguistic boundaries.

Returning for an encore, Ado surprised everyone by performing Sia's "Chandelier," a rare English song choice that was a touching gesture to connect with her international audience. She concluded the night with "New Genesis," pausing to absorb the electric atmosphere before offering a deep bow and a resounding "arigato gozaimashita" to the grateful Manila crowd.

Ado's Manila debut was more than just a concert; it was a testament to the "spark" she has cultivated. Her powerful voice and heartfelt performances, combined with the overwhelming enthusiasm of her fans, proved that music truly has the ability to build connections that go beyond language and borders, leaving attendees feeling less alone and united by a shared passion.

English singer Jacob Collier’s Manila concert gets new venue, more seats

Attention, music fans! If you're planning to catch English singer-songwriter Jacob Collier live in Manila this June, take note of a significant update regarding the concert venue.

The highly anticipated Manila stop of Collier's "Djesse" world tour, scheduled for June 3, will now be held at a new location with additional seating options available.

Originally planned for the World Trade Center in Pasay City, the concert is officially moving to the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. The concert organizer, KARPOS, stated that this change aims to provide a "better concert experience for everyone attending a night of harmony and musical magic."

With the shift in venue comes an increase in seating capacity. In addition to the previously announced VIP Floor Standing and Regular Floor Standing sections, three new seated sections have been added: Loge, Balcony A, and Balcony B.

New ticket prices for the updated seating plan are as follows: VIP Floor Standing at P6,650, Regular Floor Standing at P4,450, Loge (seated) at P5,550, Balcony A (seated) at P4,450, and Balcony B (seated) at P3,350.

Tickets for all sections can be purchased through TicketNet's website and its physical outlets. Fans who previously purchased Floor Standing tickets via Tickelo for the original venue can still use their existing tickets.

Please note that ticket upgrades or refunds for existing Tickelo purchases will not be accommodated. Tickelo ticketholders will need to exchange their tickets for valid TicketNet tickets. Instructions on how to facilitate this exchange will be announced by KARPOS soon.

This upcoming performance will mark Jacob Collier's third time visiting the Philippines. He first performed at the Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival in 2016 and returned for a show in Manila back in 2022.

The 30-year-old artist is celebrated for his diverse talents as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. He has released five studio albums throughout his career and is known for hits like "Never Gonna Be Alone," "All I Need," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Robert De Niro calls for protest against ‘philistine’ Trump as Cannes opens

During the opening ceremony of the 78th Cannes Film Festival in France, legendary Hollywood actor Robert De Niro took the stage to accept his Honorary Palme d'Or for lifetime achievement. Presented by longtime collaborator Leonardo DiCaprio, De Niro used his acceptance speech to deliver strong criticism against U.S. President Donald Trump.

The 81-year-old star, known for iconic roles in films like *Taxi Driver* and *Raging Bull*, labeled President Trump a "philistine." He highlighted the administration's alleged cuts to funding and support for arts, humanities, and education, and also specifically called out the recently announced 100% tariff on films produced outside the United States.

De Niro shared his perspective on creativity and economics, stating, "You can’t put a price on creativity, but apparently, you can put a tariff on it." Following this statement, he urged "everyone who cares about liberty" to voice their protest against the President.

While festival organizers typically aim to keep the focus squarely on cinema, this year's event has seen political and global issues take a more prominent role. Screenings featuring films from Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran, coupled with the timing of Trump's tariff announcement just before the festival, have undeniably brought world affairs to the forefront.

Adding to the sentiment, Juliette Binoche, serving as the head of this year's jury, used her own speech to honor Palestinian photojournalist Fatma Hassona, who tragically died in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza and is the subject of a documentary being shown at the festival.

The festival was officially opened by acclaimed U.S. director Quentin Tarantino, marking the start of the event which is scheduled to run until May 24. The opening night premiere featured the French comedy *Leave One Day*.

The red carpet saw appearances from notable figures including U.S. actor Eva Longoria, Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda, and U.S. director Sean Baker, who won the top Palme d'Or prize the previous year for *Anora*. Interestingly, there was recent attention on the festival's updated dress code, which reportedly banned nudity and overly long gown trains.

German model Heidi Klum was seen on the red carpet in a gown with a significant train, yet she was granted entry. Meanwhile, actress Halle Berry, also on this year's jury, mentioned earlier in the day that she had to make a last-minute outfit change to comply with the updated guidelines.

Kim Kardashian tells accused in Paris jewel heist that she forgives him

Appearing in a Paris court on Tuesday, reality television personality Kim Kardashian offered a surprising statement to the alleged ringleader of the 2016 jewel heist, telling him that she forgives him.

However, the star was quick to clarify that this act of forgiveness does not diminish the profound trauma she experienced during the incident when she was held at gunpoint in her hotel room.

Recounting the harrowing events from May 13, 2025, Kardashian testified emotionally, "I absolutely thought I was going to die." She described the fear, believing she was moments away from being raped and shot.

"I thought about my sister, thought she would walk in and see me shot dead and have that memory in her forever," she tearfully told the court.

She described hearing footsteps upstairs around 3 AM while she was packing. Men dressed as police officers then burst into her room, demanded her ring, and pointed a gun at her.

Kardashian detailed how the suspects tied her up with zip ties and duct tape before stealing millions of dollars worth of jewelry, including a $4 million engagement ring from her then-husband, Kanye West.

She recalled pleading with the concierge, asking, "'What is going to happen to us? I have to make it home to my babies'."

While thrown onto the bed, she initially feared being raped, but one of the attackers ultimately tied her legs instead. She clarified that she was not physically hit, but was grabbed, dragged into another room, and thrown to the floor.

The court also heard an emotional moment when a letter of apology from the 69-year-old defendant, Aomar Ait Khedache, known as "Omar the Old," was read aloud.

Visibly emotional, Kardashian responded to Khedache, "I do appreciate the letter for sure, I forgive you. But it doesn’t change the feelings and the trauma and the fact that my life was forever changed, but I do appreciate the letter, thank you."

Khedache, accused of being the ringleader but denying the charge, had his response read out: "Your forgiveness is a sunshine that has enlightened me… I am forever grateful."

The robbery has had lasting effects on Kardashian, prompting her to significantly increase her security presence. She stated that she now requires between four and six security personnel at her home to feel safe and cannot sleep without multiple security people nearby.

Her stylist, Simone Harouche, who was also at the hotel during the attack, testified about the terror they both experienced. Harouche locked herself in the bathroom and alerted Kardashian's sister and bodyguard.

Harouche described Kardashian as being "beside herself" after the robbers left, screaming and desperate to escape the hotel. She also shared that the incident led her to change careers and seek therapy for post-traumatic stress and fear of being around celebrities.

A total of nine men and one woman are on trial. Five men face charges of armed robbery and kidnapping, which could lead to life imprisonment. The others are accused of complicity or unauthorized weapon possession.

As the perpetrators fled, they dropped a cross with six diamonds, which was later found by a passerby and turned over to police. However, the majority of the stolen jewels, including the significant engagement ring, have never been recovered.

Fans of Kim Kardashian gathered early outside the courthouse hoping to secure a seat, expressing their support for the celebrity during the traumatic trial.

Ex-girlfriend testifies Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs forced her into drug-fueled sex parties

In the high-profile sex trafficking trial against Sean "Diddy" Combs, his former girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra Ventura, known professionally as Cassie, took the stand this week as a key prosecution witness. She offered compelling testimony detailing her experience, alleging that the music mogul compelled her participation in repeated drug-fueled sex parties.

Ventura testified that she was involved in these gatherings, which she referred to as "Freak Offs," for approximately a decade. Initially, she stated her participation was driven by a desire to please Combs, but later, she claimed he used videos of the encounters to blackmail her into continuing. These events could reportedly span from one and a half to four days, during which she testified Combs provided her with drugs to maintain wakefulness and tightly managed her physical appearance.

She further described the significant impact this period had on her career aspirations. Ventura noted that a 2006 recording contract with Combs' Bad Boy Records label, intended for ten albums, ultimately resulted in the release of just one.

Jurors were also shown a previously public 2016 surveillance video from a Los Angeles hotel hallway. In the footage, Combs, wearing only a towel, is seen throwing Ventura to the ground, kicking her, and dragging her. Ventura testified that this incident occurred after Combs had allegedly caused a black eye during one of the "Freak Offs," and her focus at the time was solely on safely escaping the situation.

Sean Combs, aged 55, has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him, which include five felony counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If found guilty on all counts, he faces a potential minimum sentence of 15 years and could possibly receive a life sentence.

Combs' legal team has argued that prosecutors are attempting to improperly criminalize what they describe as a consensual "swingers" lifestyle shared between him and his girlfriends who invited men to join them for sex. Defense lawyer Teny Geragos stated that the case revolves around "voluntary choices made by capable adults in consensual relationships." The trial commenced earlier this week and is expected to continue for up to two months.

Ventura, dressed in a brown dress and later adding a camel-colored coat, described beginning her relationship with Combs in her early twenties, believing it to be her "first real adult relationship." She initially stated she loved him and wanted to make him happy. However, she testified that Combs' behavior changed over time, alleging he frequently beat her, resulting in black eyes and bruises across her body. She described incidents where she claims he would "bash my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me, stomp me in the head if I was down." Combs, present in the courtroom, was observed crossing his arms as Ventura gave her testimony.

Fighting back tears, Ventura provided graphic details about the "Freak Offs," recalling her first one at age 22. She testified that she only enjoyed the moments when she and Combs were alone, but stated that they were often not, with Combs allegedly paying male escorts between $1,500 and $6,000 for their participation, including one nicknamed "The Punisher." She testified she did not wish to participate when others were involved but feared upsetting Combs, stating, "His eyes were black. The version that I fell in love with was no longer there."

Ventura also testified that Combs exercised extensive control over her life and career. She described this control as encompassing "everything, from the way that I looked to what I was working on that day, who I was speaking to." Ventura is scheduled to resume her testimony. Combs has previously apologized for his actions depicted in the surveillance video, which his lead lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, suggested related to a dispute over infidelity. Agnifilo has indicated a strategy that may involve challenging Ventura's credibility by referencing a history of domestic violence during cross-examination. Ventura had filed a civil lawsuit against Combs in November 2023 alleging rape and serial sexual abuse, which was settled one day after it was filed. The trial may also include testimony from other individuals who have made accusations against Combs, as well as former employees.