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Cardi B walked out of a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday victorious and defiant, after a jury unanimously found her not liable for assault, battery, negligence, or emotional distress in a $24 million lawsuit brought by former security guard Emani Ellis.
The Bronx-born rapper, whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, was accused of attacking Ellis during a February 2018 confrontation outside a Beverly Hills medical office, when she was four months pregnant with her first child. Ellis alleged Cardi B cut her face with a fingernail, spat on her, and hurled racial slurs, claiming the star turned what began as a tense encounter into a violent assault.↳
Jurors, after days of testimony filled with dramatic exchanges and viral courtroom moments, rejected every allegation. When the verdict was read, Cardi B made the sign of the cross, clasped her hands together, and flashed a relieved smile, while her supporters erupted outside the courthouse. Speaking to reporters, she declared, "I did not touch that woman. With that being said, this time around I'm gonna be nice. The next time someone tries to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I'm going to countersue. I'm going to make you pay, because this is not okay."↳
Cardi B explained that celebrities are often targeted for payouts, emphasizing that her money comes from long hours of work and sacrifice. "I think people have this misinterpretation of celebrities," she said. "You don't work at home, you don't work all day, you don't work for your money to just give it away." She urged fans to leave Ellis and her family alone, saying she wanted to "put this all behind."
During the trial, Cardi B admitted there had been a heated verbal argument after Ellis allegedly filmed her without permission. When asked why she was concerned, Cardi fired back, "Because I'm pregnant, and this girl's about to beat my ass! Hello?" Her unfiltered responses, eye rolls, and animated gestures became instant viral clips, further fueling public fascination with the case.