Actor Michael B. Jordan‘s name was mentioned for the first time on Monday during jury selection for Sean “Puffy” Combs‘ criminal trial in Manhattan. The trial kicked off on Monday with the jury selection process.
Combs, 55, was arrested in September on charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation with intent to engage in prostitution.
Combs has denied the allegations, and last week he rejected the prosecution’s offer of 5 years in federal prison in exchange for a guilty plea.
On Monday and Tuesday, potential jurors were handed a list of dozens of celebrity names and asked if they were “familiar” with them.
Some people were excused from the jury pool when they said they were familiar with the names on the list. This caused the judge to change his line of questioning and ask the jurors whether they knew the celebrities “personally.”
Others were dismissed from the jury pool when they admitted seeing the viral video of Combs attacking his ex-girlfriend Cassie in 2016.
Potential jurors were surprised to see Michael B. Jordan’s name on the list. He was always careful to protect his public image from scandal.
Michael rose to fame after his emotional performance as Wallace on HBO’s “The Wire” in 2004. He went on to star in the films Fruitvale Station, Creed, Creed II, and Black Panther.
Rolling Stone reports that Michael’s name is on the list because Combs once threatened him over his relationship with the music producer’s ex, Cassie.
Other names on the list include Combs’ close associate and confidante Laurieann Gibson (pictured), Kanye West, former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard, music exec Herve Pierre, music producer Dallas Austin, Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams, rapper Kid Cudi, actress Lauren London, rapper Yung Miami, comedian Mike Myers, and random C- and D-list rappers and actors.
Jury selection is expected to wrap on Wednesday, May 7, with opening statements set to begin on Monday, May 12.
Combs has been housed at a Brooklyn federal jail since his arrest in September. He was denied bond three times.
