Cardi B, the Grammy-winning rapper, took the stand in a Los Angeles civil trial this week, recounting a tense 2018 encounter with a former security guard.
The 32-year-old star, born Belcalis Almánzar, addressed allegations that she assaulted, spat on, and scratched Emani Ellis, who later filed a lawsuit in 2020.
The incident occurred while Cardi was four months pregnant and attending a Beverly Hills obstetrician’s office.
According to Cardi, Ellis followed her and recorded her on a cellphone, sparking a verbal confrontation.
What Cardi Says Happened
Cardi described walking through the medical office when Ellis, who was working there at the time, started following her.
“I turn around and asked her, ‘Why are you recording me? Ain’t you security?’” Cardi recalled.
She admitted calling Ellis a “b***h” during the confrontation but denied that the situation ever became physical.
The rapper insisted that no spitting, hitting, or scratching occurred, and that she only engaged verbally because she felt her privacy was being invaded.
Cardi even laughed during her testimony, explaining that the security guard was much larger than her, making any physical altercation unlikely.
Cardi’s Courtroom Personality Goes Viral
Social media quickly lit up with clips of Cardi on the stand.
Fans were entertained by her sassy, blunt responses, sarcastic expressions, and playful demeanor, likening the trial to a reality TV show.
One notable moment came when she was asked whether her hair was real or a wig.
Sporting a blonde wig that contrasted with her previous black pixie cut, Cardi laughed and said, “They’re wigs,” prompting laughter across the courtroom.
Humor and Wit Amid Serious Allegations
Cardi’s candid, humorous answers continued throughout her testimony.
When asked if she was “disabled” at the time of the encounter, she quipped, “When you’re pregnant, I’m very disabled.
I couldn’t protect myself even if I wanted to. She’s like twice my size.”
Fans loved her bluntness, with many sharing clips and comments online, praising her confidence and sharp wit.
The Security Guard’s Allegations
Ellis, on the stand the day before Cardi, claimed the rapper swung at her, spat on her, and scratched her face, as well as making racial slurs.
She also accused Cardi of “body-shaming” her during the confrontation. Cardi denied all of these allegations.
The incident took place while Cardi had just left her obstetrician and had not publicly announced her pregnancy.
Bystanders said the confrontation never became physical and that building staff intervened to separate the two women.
The Legal Battle
Ellis is suing Cardi for assault, battery, and infliction of emotional distress.
The trial follows a history of legal incidents involving the rapper, including a 2019 assault case at Angel’s Strip Club in Queens, which resulted in Cardi pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges and completing community service.
She was also sued after accidentally hitting a woman with a microphone during a 2023 Las Vegas concert.
Cardi’s testimony emphasized that she was defending her privacy and did not physically harm Ellis, painting the encounter as a verbal disagreement rather than an assault.
Style and Composure in Court
On the stand, Cardi arrived in a chic grey tweed suit with voluminous blonde curls, projecting poise and confidence.
Her ability to keep the courtroom laughing while addressing serious allegations has made her trial moments widely shared online.
As the civil case continues, all eyes remain on how Cardi’s courtroom personality and testimony will influence the outcome of the lawsuit.
