Who knew a visit to the OB-GYN could turn into a multi-million dollar courtroom drama? Cardi B is fighting back against assault allegations, insisting she never laid a finger on a security guard during her secret first pregnancy. Was it a misunderstanding or something more? Find out what went down in court!
In a high-profile Los Angeles County courtroom, Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B firmly denied allegations of assault, testifying she never touched a security guard who claims the artist injured her during an altercation. The legal battle centers on a February 2018 incident outside an obstetrician’s office, a period when the hip-hop sensation was secretly navigating the early stages of her first pregnancy, adding a layer of personal vulnerability to the unfolding legal drama.
The lawsuit, filed by Emani Ellis, accuses Cardi B of scratching her face with a fingernail and spitting on her. Ellis, who subsequently lost her job, testified earlier in the trial, describing the incident as humiliating and traumatizing, asserting that the facial injury necessitated cosmetic surgery. The financial claims are substantial, with Ellis reportedly seeking a staggering $24 million in damages, encompassing medical expenses, emotional and physical suffering, lost wages, and punitive compensation.
During her compelling second day of testimony, Cardi B adamantly refuted the physical contact. “She couldn’t get a scratch from me because I didn’t touch her,” the chart-topping artist declared on the stand. Her defense pivots on her assertion that she maintained a physical distance from Ellis, directly contradicting the security guard’s account of events.
The celebrity lawsuit also shed light on Cardi B’s decision to conceal her pregnancy at the time. Seven months post-release of her breakout hit, “Bodak Yellow,” the artist described herself as being in her “freshman year” of stardom, grappling with immense public scrutiny. She expressed fears of letting fans down and emphasized her profound desire for privacy regarding all medical matters, particularly something as “sacred as a pregnancy.”
Cardi B recounted her concern that Ellis was attempting to publicize her pregnancy, allegedly filming her and speaking her name into a phone during her visit. This perception of a breach of privacy, she explained, fueled her apprehension, highlighting the intense pressure and lack of personal space often experienced by public figures.
Further testimony suggested a commotion in the hallway preceding the alleged assault. Another witness stated they heard a ruckus but observed no physical fighting. Cardi B herself noted a scratch on her face later, which she inferred came from Ellis due to their positioning, suggesting a complex and perhaps chaotic scene rather than a deliberate attack on her part.
This rare celebrity trial, unfolding in a smaller Alhambra courthouse outside Los Angeles, underscores the significant legal and reputational risks faced by public figures. The proceedings, which have paused for the remainder of the week, are slated to resume and conclude next week, with the verdict anticipated to have considerable implications for both parties involved in this high-stakes legal battle.