In a high-profile civil trial that captivated audiences online, rapper Cardi B has been cleared of any legal liability after facing allegations of assault from a former security guard. The jury in Los Angeles delivered their verdict on Tuesday, determining that the security guard, Emani Ellis, did not prove the elements of assault, negligence, or emotional distress.
The accusations stemmed from an incident in 2018 when Ellis claimed that Cardi spat on her and scratched her nose during a verbal altercation while Cardi was pregnant with her first child. Dressed in a stylish black outfit adorned with white dots and a red bow, Cardi made the sign of the cross as the jury announced their decision.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Cardi, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, firmly denied the allegations, stating, “I’m not even playing around. Even if I’m at my death bed, I swear to God, I will say it at my death bed — I did not touch that woman.”
During the trial, Cardi testified that Ellis had followed her to the floor of her obstetrician’s office and seemed to be recording her. Both women recounted a heated confrontation, with Cardi expressing concern for her safety given Ellis’s larger stature. While she admitted to using some profanity, she steadfastly denied ever making physical contact.
Ellis, on the other hand, testified that the incident left her traumatized and required her to undergo a cosmetic procedure for scarring. She claimed she lost her job as a result of the altercation.
Dr. David Finke, the physician Cardi was scheduled to see that day, testified that he was alerted to the situation and saw no physical assault occurring. His receptionist, Tierra Malcolm, corroborated this, stating she did not witness any physical fight between the two women.
Cardi’s attorney, Peter Anderson, argued in closing that Ellis failed to establish her case under the law, emphasizing that arguments and profanity are part of normal life and not grounds for a lawsuit. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before reaching their conclusion.
Among the moments that captured public interest was Cardi’s explanation of her changing hairstyles, as she switched between wigs during the trial. After the verdict, she humorously shared with reporters, “I’m telling you guys, when I say that my forehead is raw from changing all these wigs — raw. Raw, raw, raw.”
Despite the outcome, Ellis expressed that she was not disappointed in bringing the case forward, stating, “I had my day in court, I showed up, I held my head high.” She emphasized the importance of accountability, noting the flaws in the justice system.
This trial not only highlighted the complexities of celebrity life but also sparked discussions about accountability and the legal ramifications of altercations in the public eye.
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