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Cardi B looks on during the presentation of designer Rousteing's Spring/Summer 2025 Women's ready-to-wear collection show for fashion house Balmain during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, September 25, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/ File Photo
A jury on Tuesday cleared US rapper Cardi B of all allegations in a lawsuit filed by a security guard who claimed she was assaulted by the rapper at a doctorβs office in 2018.
The case was brought by Emani Ellis, who said Cardi scratched her face with a fingernail and spat on her during an argument at a Beverly Hills obstetricianβs office when the rapper was secretly pregnant with her first child.
Only nine jurors were needed for a verdict in the civil case, but all 12 agreed Cardi was not liable.
Outside court, Cardi celebrated the win, calling the case βfrivolousβ and warning she would countersue anyone who tries similar lawsuits saying that she had to miss her childrenβs first day of school because of the trial.
"I am not that celeb that you sue, and you think is going to settle. I'm not gonna settle. Especially when I'm super completely innocent," she said.
During testimony, Cardi admitted she argued with Ellis but denied touching her. βI will say it on my deathbed. I did not touch that woman,β she told reporters.
Ellis argued that the incident left her scarred and cost her both her job and future career prospects. She sought damages for medical bills, emotional suffering and lost wages.
Her lawyer said they plan to appeal.
The trial, spread over several days, drew wide attention online, with livestreamed testimony going viral. At one point, Cardi even joked about her wig changes during the proceedings.
The 12-member Los Angeles Superior Court jury deliberated for less than an hour before reaching a unanimous verdict siding with the 32-year-old, Grammy-winning recording artist, whose biggest hits include "Taki Taki" and "I Like It."
The jurors found that the former security officer, Emani Ellis, failed to convincingly prove allegations that Cardi B physically attacked her, scratched Ellis' face with her fingernails, spat on her and shouted racial slurs. Both women are Black.
Ellis testified during the trial that she had demanded Cardi B leave the grounds of the medical building because she was "causing a disturbance."
Taking the witness stand in her own defense, Cardi B testified Ellis was the aggressor in what the singer called a "verbal altercation" that began when Ellis, then working as a uniformed security officer, began "invading my privacy."
According to Cardi B, Ellis started following her and trying to take a cellphone video of the singer on her way to an obstetrician visit when she was pregnant but had yet to publicly announce the pregnancy.
At the time, Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, was expecting the first of her three children fathered by rapper Offset.
The singer, known for a provocative public image, acknowledged cursing at Ellis as the two women yelled at one another "chest to chest," but she testified that no physical contact was made, and she denied spitting or using racial epithets.
Court TV video clips showing the New York City-born rapper of Caribbean descent, appearing from one day to the next in different wigs and hairstyles, went viral on social media, increasing the intensity of the case.
Before the verdict, Cardi gave photographers the middle finger while she was entering the courthouse where her civil trial was taking place. This was after someone asked her to confirm or deny recent pregnancy rumors.
Later, when she was exiting the courthouse, Cardi threw a pen at a reporter who asked about a possible pregnancy, according to video footage obtained by TMZ.
βInsiders are claiming that Offset is publicly bragging about getting you pregnant for the fourth time. Do you foresee any fraternity issues with [Cardiβs boyfriend] Stefon Diggs?β the reporter asked.
Cardi walked over to someone with a pen and appeared to throw it in the reporterβs direction, as seen in the video.
βStop disrespecting me,β she said. βDonβt disrespect me.β
The reporter yelled back, βI still love you even though you just threw some stuff at me.β
Cardi responded, βI donβt care. Youβre disrespectful, donβt do that. Do you see women asking those type of questions to me? Why do you feel, as a man, [that] you get to ask me those type of questions? Act like you have some manners. And your mama taught you: respect women.β
Β©Citizen Digital, Kenya
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- The 12-member Los Angeles Superior Court jury deliberated for less than an hour before reaching a unanimous verdict siding with the 32-year-old, Grammy-winning recording artist
Cardi B looks on during the presentation of designer Rousteing's Spring/Summer 2025 Women's ready-to-wear collection show for fashion house Balmain during Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France, September 25, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/ File Photo
A jury on Tuesday cleared US rapper Cardi B of all allegations in a lawsuit filed by a security guard who claimed she was assaulted by the rapper at a doctorβs office in 2018.
The case was brought by Emani Ellis, who said Cardi scratched her face with a fingernail and spat on her during an argument at a Beverly Hills obstetricianβs office when the rapper was secretly pregnant with her first child.
Only nine jurors were needed for a verdict in the civil case, but all 12 agreed Cardi was not liable.
Outside court, Cardi celebrated the win, calling the case βfrivolousβ and warning she would countersue anyone who tries similar lawsuits saying that she had to miss her childrenβs first day of school because of the trial.
"I am not that celeb that you sue, and you think is going to settle. I'm not gonna settle. Especially when I'm super completely innocent," she said.
During testimony, Cardi admitted she argued with Ellis but denied touching her. βI will say it on my deathbed. I did not touch that woman,β she told reporters.
Ellis argued that the incident left her scarred and cost her both her job and future career prospects. She sought damages for medical bills, emotional suffering and lost wages.
Her lawyer said they plan to appeal.
The trial, spread over several days, drew wide attention online, with livestreamed testimony going viral. At one point, Cardi even joked about her wig changes during the proceedings.
The 12-member Los Angeles Superior Court jury deliberated for less than an hour before reaching a unanimous verdict siding with the 32-year-old, Grammy-winning recording artist, whose biggest hits include "Taki Taki" and "I Like It."
The jurors found that the former security officer, Emani Ellis, failed to convincingly prove allegations that Cardi B physically attacked her, scratched Ellis' face with her fingernails, spat on her and shouted racial slurs. Both women are Black.
Ellis testified during the trial that she had demanded Cardi B leave the grounds of the medical building because she was "causing a disturbance."
Taking the witness stand in her own defense, Cardi B testified Ellis was the aggressor in what the singer called a "verbal altercation" that began when Ellis, then working as a uniformed security officer, began "invading my privacy."
According to Cardi B, Ellis started following her and trying to take a cellphone video of the singer on her way to an obstetrician visit when she was pregnant but had yet to publicly announce the pregnancy.
At the time, Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, was expecting the first of her three children fathered by rapper Offset.
The singer, known for a provocative public image, acknowledged cursing at Ellis as the two women yelled at one another "chest to chest," but she testified that no physical contact was made, and she denied spitting or using racial epithets.
Court TV video clips showing the New York City-born rapper of Caribbean descent, appearing from one day to the next in different wigs and hairstyles, went viral on social media, increasing the intensity of the case.
Before the verdict, Cardi gave photographers the middle finger while she was entering the courthouse where her civil trial was taking place. This was after someone asked her to confirm or deny recent pregnancy rumors.
Later, when she was exiting the courthouse, Cardi threw a pen at a reporter who asked about a possible pregnancy, according to video footage obtained by TMZ.
βInsiders are claiming that Offset is publicly bragging about getting you pregnant for the fourth time. Do you foresee any fraternity issues with [Cardiβs boyfriend] Stefon Diggs?β the reporter asked.
Cardi walked over to someone with a pen and appeared to throw it in the reporterβs direction, as seen in the video.
βStop disrespecting me,β she said. βDonβt disrespect me.β
The reporter yelled back, βI still love you even though you just threw some stuff at me.β
Cardi responded, βI donβt care. Youβre disrespectful, donβt do that. Do you see women asking those type of questions to me? Why do you feel, as a man, [that] you get to ask me those type of questions? Act like you have some manners. And your mama taught you: respect women.β
Β©Citizen Digital, Kenya
Continue reading...
