Rapper Cardi B took the stand this week to vehemently deny allegations of assault, spitting, and scratching made by a former security guard, Emani Ellis. The highly publicized civil trial in Los Angeles County court centers on a 2018 incident outside a Beverly Hills obstetrician’s office, where Ellis claims Cardi B attacked her while the hip-hop star was four months pregnant and keeping her condition secret.
Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, testified that she did not touch Ellis, stating firmly, “She couldn’t get a scratch from me because I didn’t touch her.”. The Grammy-winning artist described the encounter as a “verbal incident” and a “verbal altercation” that never turned physical, despite the argument becoming heated and the two women being chest-to-chest at one point.
The Allegations: A Security Guard’s Account
Emani Ellis filed the lawsuit in 2020, alleging that Cardi B assaulted her during a brief confrontation on February 24, 2018. Ellis, who was working as a security guard at the medical building, testified that she recognized Cardi B exiting an elevator and exclaimed her name out of excitement. According to Ellis’s account, Cardi B became hostile, accusing her of filming the rapper and spreading news of her pregnancy. Ellis claims Cardi B then shouted obscenities, spat on her, and scratched her left cheek with her long fingernails, resulting in a scar that required cosmetic surgery.
Ellis further stated that the incident left her “deeply traumatized” and led to her losing her job. She is seeking damages that include medical expenses, compensation for emotional and physical suffering, lost wages, and punitive damages, with Cardi B indicating from the stand that Ellis is suing for approximately $24 million.
Cardi B’s Defense: Fear, Privacy, and a Heated Argument
Cardi B, a top figure in music, explained that she kept her pregnancy private at the time because she was in the “freshman year” of her stardom, having just released a major hit, and was concerned about public perception and how it might affect her career. The appointment was at a clinic that had been closed to other patients on a Saturday to ensure her privacy. Cardi B testified that she believed Ellis was attempting to record her with a cellphone and feared this would lead to the premature revelation of her pregnancy.
“I told her, ‘Why are you recording?’” Cardi B recounted on the stand, adding that Ellis responded with, “Oh my bad”. Cardi B admitted to confronting Ellis, telling her, “Bitch get the f* out my face. Why are you in my face? Why you recording me? Ain’t you supposed to be security?”. She also acknowledged that the argument was intense, with both women becoming “chest-to-chest,” but maintained it remained non-physical.
Cardi B described her nails at the time as “coffin-shaped” and “not sharp,” asserting they could not have caused the alleged scratches. She also expressed feeling vulnerable and “disabled” due to her pregnancy, fearing Ellis might become physically aggressive.
Corroborating Witnesses and Defense Boost
The defense received a boost from the testimony of Tierra Malcolm, the receptionist at the obstetrician’s office, who stated she heard a commotion but did not witness any physical fighting. Malcolm testified that when she intervened, Ellis had cornered Cardi B and reached for the rapper. She also noted that she later found a scratch on her own face, which she assumed came from Ellis because Ellis was facing her.
Dr. David Finke, Cardi B’s gynecologist, reported hearing shouting and seeing Ellis strike his receptionist. Another witness, a plastic surgeon who examined Ellis nearly four years after the incident, testified that Ellis had a “hyper-sensitive” scar on her cheek, “most likely” caused by fingernails, and had undergone cosmetic procedures. However, a psychologist who evaluated Ellis reported that she might have been “malingering” or exaggerating her harm.
Trial Dynamics and Public Reaction
Cardi B’s demeanor on the stand has drawn significant attention, with her candid, expletive-laden responses and animated expressions going viral online. The rapper switched wigs between court days, which led to a moment of confusion and amusement when opposing counsel questioned if her hair was real. The questioning also touched upon her physical appearance and size relative to Ellis, as well as Cardi B’s use of profanity.
Legal analysts have noted that while her courtroom persona has been entertaining, the core of the case relies on the conflicting testimonies and evidence presented. The defense has argued that Ellis was the aggressor and had a motive to fabricate claims for financial gain, noting that Ellis filed suit two years after the alleged incident.
The Road Ahead
The trial, held in a courthouse where celebrity trials are rare, continued with closing arguments and deliberations expected shortly. The outcome will hinge on how the jury weighs Cardi B’s denial and her supporters’ testimonies against Ellis’s claims of injury and trauma. This case adds another chapter to the many high-profile stories involving the acclaimed hip-hop artist, underscoring the complexities of celebrity legal battles in the modern era.
