Cardi B cleared of a $24 million assault lawsuit, after a Los Angeles jury ruled in her favor against security guard Emani Ellis. The case stemmed from a 2018 incident outside an obstetrician’s office, when the rapper was four months pregnant with her first child. Ellis alleged that Cardi B cut her cheek with a long fingernail and spat on her.
During the civil trial in Alhambra, the Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, denied ever touching Ellis. She admitted they exchanged heated words but insisted no physical assault occurred. Cardi B explained that the guard followed her, filmed her, and disclosed her private pregnancy appointment. She testified that she only shouted an obscenity while demanding space.
The jury took about an hour to dismiss all claims, including assault, battery, negligence, and false imprisonment. Testimony from the doctor and his receptionist supported the rapper’s case. Receptionist Tierra Malcolm told the court that Ellis acted aggressively and swung her arms, injuring Malcolm instead.
Speaking after the verdict, Cardi B said she works hard for her family and will not simply settle lawsuits. She also urged fans not to harass Ellis or her relatives. Outside the courthouse, supporters held signs, with one fan referencing the O.J. Simpson trial: “If the nail don’t fit, u must acquit.” The rapper laughed when she saw it, noting her rounded nails that day.
The trial attracted viral attention as Cardi B appeared daily in striking wigs and outfits. Her fingernails, a symbol of her style, became central to the case. In the end, the jury ruled she owed Ellis nothing, closing a case that mixed fashion, celebrity culture, and legal drama.
READ: San Bernardino Immigration Standoff Ends in Courthouse Arrest
