- Cardi B has been cleared of all charges in a $24 million civil lawsuit filed by security guard Emani Ellis, who claimed the rapper scratched her face and spat on her during a heated 2018 encounter.
- The jury took just an hour to rule in Cardi’s favor, citing lack of evidence.
- The trial, held in Alhambra, California, featured viral courtroom moments, dramatic testimony, and Cardi’s signature fashion flair.
- The rapper, who was pregnant at the time of the incident, said she feared for her privacy and unborn child.
Cardi B has walked out of court with her head held high — and her nails intact.
The Grammy-winning rapper was cleared by a Los Angeles jury on Tuesday in a $24 million civil suit filed by security guard Emani Ellis, who alleged that Cardi scratched her cheek with a 3-inch nail and spat on her during a tense encounter outside an obstetrician’s office in 2018.
At the time, Cardi was four months pregnant and hadn’t yet gone public with the news. She testified that Ellis followed her, filmed her, and refused to give her space — sparking a profanity-laced shouting match. But she denied ever laying hands on the guard.
The jury took just an hour to reach a unanimous verdict, rejecting claims of assault, battery, emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment.
Testimony from the doctor and receptionist present that day supported Cardi’s version of events, with the receptionist even claiming Ellis was the aggressor and had swung her arms during the altercation — accidentally injuring the receptionist herself.
Outside the courthouse, fans gathered with signs and support. One woman held a handmade poster that read, “If the nail don’t fit, u must acquit,” riffing on the infamous O.J. Simpson trial. Cardi reportedly laughed when she saw it.
Throughout the trial, the rapper turned heads with her courtroom fashion — switching wigs and outfits daily, including a polka-dot suit with a red bow during closing arguments.
Though Ellis claimed trauma, scarring, and job loss, the jury found no legal basis for compensation. Cardi’s legal team argued the lawsuit was a cash grab, and the jury agreed.
For Cardi B, the verdict is a win — not just legally, but symbolically. She defended her privacy, her pregnancy, and her reputation, all while keeping her signature flair front and center.
🏷️ Tags
Cardi B, Emani Ellis, fingernail assault case, civil trial, Alhambra courthouse, celebrity lawsuit, courtroom fashion, viral trial moments, NewsandVibes
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