Singer Aubrey O'Day has publicly confirmed she will not be testifying in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing federal sex-trafficking trial, despite speculation triggered by her recent appearance in Manhattan.

Though O'Day acknowledged meeting with the Department of Homeland Security, she stated she has not been subpoenaed and is using a new podcast to discuss her past experiences with the music mogul instead of participating in court proceedings, as Fox News reports.

O'Day, who gained fame in 2005 as a contestant on Combs’ MTV reality series Making the Band, rose to stardom as one of the founding members of the pop group Danity Kane. In 2007, during the season finale of the show’s fourth season, she was dismissed from the group by Combs, a move that she has since attributed to non-musical reasons.

Her recent Instagram post on May 14, showing her in Manhattan with a caption and an emoji commonly connected to justice, quickly fueled rumors of her involvement in Combs’ federal trial. The post read, “Hey New York!!! Where y’all think I should head first?” and included a scales symbol, often interpreted as a hint at court-related matters.

In response to the speculation, O'Day addressed the matter during the debut episode of the newly launched podcast Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present: Aubrey O’Day, Covering the Diddy Trial. There, she said she was present in New York for personal and professional reasons and not because she was testifying.

O’Day speaks out about past

“No, I’m not here to testify for the Diddy trial -- that I know of,” O'Day said in the episode. She revealed that she had spoken with the Department of Homeland Security but was advised against revealing the details of that interaction. She reiterated on the podcast that she had not been summoned by legal authorities in connection to the trial.

“I posted on my Instagram that I was here in New York and enjoying myself because I wanted to make it clear to everyone that I am not here testifying,” O'Day said. When informed that the podcast’s studio was located near the courthouse, she added, “I didn’t even realize that.”

The trial itself began on May 12, in the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse located in Lower Manhattan. Combs faces a series of serious charges including racketeering conspiracy, transporting individuals for prostitution, and sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion. He has denied all allegations and entered a not guilty plea.

Ventura’s emotional testimony unfolds

Cassie Ventura, who was in a relationship with Combs from 2007 to 2018, recently took the stand over a four-day testimony. She claimed under oath that Combs had subjected her to physical abuse and manipulation, including coerced sexual encounters with male escorts, which Combs allegedly watched.

Ventura became visibly emotional during testimony but carried on, accompanied in court by her husband, Alex Fine. She is currently expecting a child, adding personal context to the intensity of her appearance in court.

Another key witness, Dawn Richard -- a fellow Danity Kane alum -- told the court she once saw Combs assault Ventura in 2009. According to her testimony, Combs downplayed the incident by telling her that such actions were typical behavior in a romantic relationship.

O'Day says trial a personal, public reckoning

While O'Day is deliberately staying out of the courtroom, she has taken steps to share her experiences in other ways. In a statement to People magazine on Saturday, she described the trial as “bittersweet,” explaining that she has been talking about Combs’ problematic behavior for two decades.

“This podcast is the first step in reclaiming my voice and career that I was robbed of when I was abruptly fired from my band in order to appear discredited,” she said in connection with the new show hosted by Robach and Holmes. The series aims to provide commentary on the trial from O’Day’s perspective outside the courtroom.

Previously, in a 2022 interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, O’Day critiqued the reason for her dismissal from Danity Kane, claiming it had nothing to do with her talents. “I wasn’t willing to do what was expected of [me] – not talent-wise, but in other areas,” she said.

Allegations against music mogul grow

The trial follows a wave of allegations. Combs previously faced an influx of accusations from 120 individuals, some of whom were minors at the time. These claims added to the mounting scrutiny surrounding his behavior within the entertainment industry.

Homeland Security also executed high-profile raids on Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami in March 2024 as part of their investigation. These searches occurred months before the current court proceedings began.

Shortly after those revelations, O’Day took to X (formerly Twitter), stating that the arrest marked a symbolic victory for victims and that more could have been prevented had earlier warnings been heeded. “His behavior could’ve been stopped,” she posted.

O'Day wants industry-wide accountability

In her most recent statements, O’Day expressed empathy for the victims testifying and highlighted the broader implications of the trial. “My heart goes out to all the victims, especially those who could have been spared, had anyone taken these claims seriously prior,” she said.

She added that she hopes the outcome of the trial leads to changes within the music industry. “My sincere hope is that justice will prevail and for there to be further systemic changes within the music industry to prevent all forms of abuse from those in a position of power.”

O’Day’s decision to engage through media rather than the courtroom reflects her efforts to shape the public narrative in her own voice. While no cameras are permitted inside the courtroom, voices like hers continue to fill the information gaps surrounding the high-profile hearings.