Sex

Sean "Diddy" Combs is getting extra guidance in court from famed attorney Mark Geragos, but federal prosecutors ain't having it -- because Geragos doesn't have clearance to participate, and frequently discusses the case on his podcast, "2 Angry Men."

Geragos was in court for the first day of jury selection in Diddy's criminal trial -- seated somewhere behind the 7 attorneys Diddy has retained, all of whom have court clearance to defend him.

But, prosecutors say they noticed Geragos and other members of his firm, consulting with the defense team, and they think that's a party foul due to his side gig. In a letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, they cite a rule barring anyone associated with the defense from making public statements that could "interfere with a fair trial."

Potential jurors in Diddy's federal sex trafficking trial are getting grilled on topics like sex and violence before they get picked ... because they're being warned the case will include graphic content and some upsetting things they're expected to handle like grown-ups.

TMZ obtained the questionnaire being given to prospective jurors ... and there's an emphasis on the graphic nature of the allegations against Diddy.

For instance, the questionnaire asks ... "The charges in this case involve allegations of kidnapping, arson, bribery of a witness, obstruction of justice, drug distribution, forced labor, sex trafficking, and transportation for purposes of engaging in prostitution. Is there anything about the nature of these allegations that would make it difficult for you to be fair and impartial?"

Diddy is no O.J. Simpson ... at least as it pertains to one significant aspect of their trials.

TMZ has learned ... there are currently NO plans to sequester the jury in the Diddy sex trafficking trial in NYC.

We obtained the questionnaire sent out to potential jurors, with jury selection beginning Monday, and it tells them, "There are no plans to sequester the jury, which means you will go home every day after court."

On the first day of the Diddy trial, the judge is asking prospective jurors about their celebrity knowledge and their own personal backgrounds, based on answers to a lengthy questionnaire each has already filled out ... and one candidate has an occupation and a family relation that could affect both sides of the case.

In a packed NYC courthouse Monday morning, federal judge Arun Subramanian began questioning possible jurors -- and Juror No. 2's job is particularly interesting in the context of Diddy's alleged crimes ... as is his sister's relationship past.

Juror 2 happens to be a massage therapist -- who probably knows a thing or two about baby oil, which will play a HUGE role in the Diddy case. As you know, Diddy bought baby oil in bulk to use during his "Freak Offs," which are marathon sexual encounters between Diddy, his girlfriends and a male escort, according to a federal indictment.

The first day of the federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs began this morning with some lighthearted comments by the judge ... who mentions Diddy's various nicknames over the years, and nods to the size of the potential jury pool and the length of the questionnaire each individual filled out.

As proceedings got formally underway, Judge Arun Subramanian made a remark comparing the size of the list of prospective jurors that both sides will question on the stand -- and the questionnaire of people and places in the case -- to the famously vast "Lord of the Rings" trilogy of novels.

As you know, there are many challenges on both sides for jury selection, which is expected to take several days.

Diddy will finally face a jury of his peers who will determine his fate for the rest of his life ... but finding the right jury -- for each side -- is gonna be a Herculean task.

The defense will have a much more difficult time, because there's no such thing as an unbiased jury. Good luck finding a prospective juror in New York City -- or anywhere else in this country, for that matter -- that hasn't formed an opinion about this case.

Since the public view is Diddy is guilty, prosecutors have a big edge. As for the defense, the way to go about asking questions regarding bias is NOT simply asking if a prospective juror can have an open mind. The way to do it ... they ask if prospective jurors have ever held a view that was important to them but were able to change their mind, and they need to be specific.

Jury selection just kicked off in Diddy's federal trial, and it’s a total madhouse -- with some people getting paid just to stand in line for others to snag spots inside the courthouse.

We caught the chaos at the federal courthouse in Manhattan on Monday -- some folks told us they had been in line since the night before, saving spots for people who paid them to do the heavy lifting.

One line-holder told us he was getting $32 per hour to hold a place in line, though he admitted the going rate is more like $25 per hour. Any bit of extra income helps with inflation, particularly in Manhattan! Another clip on X showed just how absurd the line was to get into the courthouse for the jury selection ... so paying someone to save a spot makes sense.

Diddy's defense may be aided by the fact there's a lot of noise about celebrity sex tapes and minors being involved in the Diddy criminal case ... those two things are NOT part of the case, and it could have a profound effect on jurors.

On the "2 Angry Men" podcast, Harvey Levin and Mark Geragos explored one of the perceptions out there about the Diddy criminal case ... and how it may swing the jury.

There's a false narrative that celebrity sex tapes and minors are part of the prosecution's evidence against Diddy ... with some folks out there, including potential jurors, under the false impression this case is the hip hop version of Jeffrey Epstein.

An OnlyFans star says she's not backing down from billboard vandals ... 'cause she plans on keeping her ad promoting her account up, even though it's been vandalized three times.

We spoke with Chloe Amour -- a porn star with a new billboard in L.A. -- and, she tells us she can't catch a break when it comes to incidents of her image being slashed.

Amour tells us Regency Outdoor -- the billboard company that keeps putting up Chloe's ad -- told her they suspect religious protesters might be behind the vandalization ... which she says means it ain't about her as much as what she does for a living.

The federal prosecutors who will be trying to secure a conviction against Diddy in his upcoming trial are all white women ... led by the daughter of former FBI director James Comey.

Maurene Ryan Comey is set to lead the team of U.S. Attorneys from the vaunted Southern District of New York next week in court, when jury selection begins in Diddy's sex trafficking trial.

Maurene's father is the former FBI director who had a controversial role in the 2016 presidential election. James was ultimately fired from his post by President Trump a few months into Trump's first term.

Russell Brand was in a London courtroom Friday to face multiple rape charges -- and, after a short back and forth with the judge, he walked out of the building a free man ... for now.

The actor's 14-minute court appearance this morning was as simple as answering a bunch of procedural questions from Judge Paul Goldspring, according to the New York Times.

Brand reportedly confirmed his name, date of birth and address in Great Britain, before Goldspring granted him bail. The NYT said Russell thanked the judge and strolled out of the courtroom without showing any "visible emotion."

Diddy was back in court Thursday for one final hearing before his criminal trial ... and he told the judge he rejected a plea deal presented to him by federal prosecutors.

The Bad Boy Records founder strolled into a Manhattan courtroom wearing a tan jail jumpsuit, looking gray and thin ... and he waved to the public and media seated in the gallery before taking a seat at the defense table between two of his attorneys, Teny Geragos and Brian Steel.

Diddy was smiling and in good spirits ... chatting with Teny and Brian ... and he was chummy and seemed unfazed by the upcoming trial.

Brandi Glanville's a 'Real Housewives' star with real friends in the porn industry ... which is how she linked up with Alexis Texas for their steamy photo shoot.

The reality star and actress tells TMZ ... Alexis was in town for business and asked Brandi to hop on her podcast "Private Talk with Alexis Texas."

The two hit it off ... and, they even realized they know the same people in the adult film world. Brandi's pretty non-judgmental about that kinda thing -- the parents of her son's best friend are actually in the industry too.

Kesha’s not calling it a relationship just yet -- telling us the guy she’s been cozying up to for about a year to is more of a "for fun" situation … and, she means the X-rated kind!

TMZ caught up with Kesha at LAX strolling alongside health-tech entrepreneur Michael Gilvary -- and while she looked a little red-faced at first, she didn’t hold back for long … telling us flat-out they’re not dating, she's just using him for some good ol’ fashioned sex.

You gotta see the whole exchange -- Kesha's spilling the tea, while Michael plays the silent, slightly awkward, shy sidekick.

Harvey Weinstein accuser Miriam Haley got emotional as she testified for a second time about the time she claims he sexually assaulted her in his Manhattan apartment.

Miriam, a former television production assistant, took the stand Wednesday in Weinstein's retrial and told the jury about an alleged 2006 rape.

Weinstein's accuser says he invited her over to his Manhattan apartment after getting her a ticket to the "Clerks II" movie premiere in Los Angeles, and she accepted the invite.

Brittany Cartwright is flunking Jax Taylor at Sex 101 ... because she says his bedroom skills were sorely lacking during their relationship.

The reality TV star was on "Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen" on Tuesday when she was asked point-blank to rate her estranged husband's sex skills from 1 to 10.

Brittany says while there were times Jax was a 7 or an 8, the majority of the time he was a 2 or a 3. 😬