American rapper Cardi B has been acquitted in an £18 million civil lawsuit accusing her of assaulting a security guard during a 2018 altercation in Beverly Hills. The verdict ends a years-long legal dispute that drew widespread media attention and highlighted the intersection of celebrity status, personal conduct, and public perception.
The case centered on allegations made by Emani Ellis, who claimed Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, scratched her face with three-inch rhinestone acrylic nails, spat on her, and directed racial slurs at her. Ellis further alleged the incident caused permanent scarring, emotional trauma, and the loss of her job. She sought damages covering medical costs, lost wages, and punitive compensation.
At the time of the incident, Cardi B was four months pregnant and attending an appointment at her obstetrician’s office. Ellis maintained that the altercation left her deeply distressed, while Cardi B denied any physical contact, acknowledging only a verbal exchange.
On Tuesday, a jury of 12 at Los Angeles Superior Court deliberated for less than an hour before rejecting all claims of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment. The decision marked a clear legal victory for the 32-year-old artist.
Speaking outside the Alhambra courthouse, Cardi B thanked her legal team, the media, and her supporters. She asserted her innocence and warned against frivolous lawsuits. “I am not that celeb you gonna sue and think is going to settle,” she said. She urged fans not to harass Ellis or her family online.
The trial drew significant attention due to Cardi B’s courtroom demeanor. Her testimony, marked by candid responses and frequent humor, went viral online. Legal analysts highlighted her performance as effective in winning jury sympathy. Sara Williams, a trial attorney and law professor, described it as a “masterclass” in witness testimony, citing the artist’s composure and ability to engage with jurors.
Ellis’s attorney, Ron Rosen Janfaza, pressed Cardi B on whether she was physically capable of scratching someone during her pregnancy. The rapper maintained she avoided physical confrontation to protect her unborn child. She admitted to cursing at Ellis during their confrontation but consistently denied spitting, scratching, or using racial epithets.
The outcome reflects broader challenges in celebrity-related litigation, where public image, viral media coverage, and jury perception can influence legal proceedings. Cardi B, whose career has often been shadowed by controversy, faced previous legal troubles. In 2022, she pleaded guilty to assaulting two bartenders in New York and was sentenced to community service.
Following Tuesday’s ruling, Cardi B posted a video to Instagram, celebrating the verdict in her characteristic flamboyant style. The verdict underscores the role of public scrutiny in high-profile cases and raises questions about the use of civil lawsuits against celebrities as a legal and financial strategy.
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