A wave of anger and heartbreak is rising in the entertainment community as Cassie Ventura, the singer and model who was with Sean “Diddy” Combs for nearly a decade, has taken the stand at his trial for allegations of violence, abuse, and human trafficking against the music mogul.

In an emotional testimony, Cassie described herself as a “prisoner” in her relationship with Diddy, whom she once loved and trusted. She described being physically and mentally tortured, repeatedly held captive, forced to have sex, and witnessing horrific acts of violence.

“I lived in fear every day. Not only was I beaten, but I was completely controlled — from how I dressed to whether I could leave the house.”

But what really moved the courtroom was when Cassie explained why she had chosen to remain silent for so many years:

“Because I’m a woman of color. We have to work twice as hard to be believed. If I had spoken up in 2012, who would have listened? Or would I have been called a ‘fame-seeker’?”

That statement not only reflected Cassie’s own pain, but also awakened the voices of many other women of color in the entertainment industry – those who have suffered similarly to Halle Bailey, Megan Thee Stallion, Tinashe…, but chose to remain silent for fear of not being believed, or worse, being attacked back.

Cassie is one of the few who bravely stepped forward, amid a series of other accusations surrounding Diddy, from people who were assistants, models, backstage staff, and even male artists. The FBI and federal investigation agency raided Diddy’s home and office last month, making the case the focus of international media.

Some of the public expressed sympathy and support for Cassie, while many remained skeptical and criticized her for “waiting too long” to speak out. But according to psychologists, it is very common for victims to take years to speak out, especially when the perpetrator is someone with power and control over their entire lives.

Diddy still denies all accusations, but his reputation has all but collapsed, and brands that have collaborated with him are also “turning their backs” on him.

Cassie’s story is a painful reminder that: the powerful can hide the truth for years, but the voice of the victim – no matter how late – always has value. And if society doesn’t start believing women of color, it’s likely that similar stories will continue to remain buried in the shadows.