US rapper Cardi B has been cleared of all allegations in a high-profile civil trial after a Los Angeles jury rejected claims that she assaulted a security guard with her fingernails in 2018.
Emani Ellis, a security guard, had accused the Grammy-winning star—real name Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar—of cutting her cheek with a 3-inch (7.5cm) nail and spitting on her outside an obstetrician’s office. Ellis sought $24 million (£18m) in damages, alleging assault, battery, negligence, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The trial, held in Alhambra, quickly became a viral spectacle as Cardi B gave candid testimony, discussed her fashion choices, and changed her wigs and outfits daily.
Cardi B, who was pregnant at the time of the 2018 altercation, told the jury she was attending a private obstetrics appointment when Ellis followed her, filmed her on her phone, and refused to give her space. She admitted the two engaged in a profanity-filled shouting match but firmly denied spitting on Ellis or physically attacking her.
Her legal team argued that the rapper feared for the safety of her unborn child, especially as her pregnancy was not publicly known at the time.
The defense case was supported by testimony from Cardi B’s doctor and receptionist, who both confirmed that Ellis had acted aggressively. Receptionist Tierra Malcolm told the court she tried to break up the fight and ended up injured in the process, after Ellis allegedly swung her arms toward Cardi B.
The jury deliberated for about an hour before unanimously clearing Cardi B of all claims. Speaking outside the courthouse, the rapper expressed relief and frustration at the lawsuit.
“I work all day and I work hard for my money, for my kids, for the people that I take care of,” she said. “So don’t you ever think that you’re going to sue me, and I’m just going to settle.”
She also urged her fans not to harass Ellis or her family following the ruling.
Beyond the legal arguments, the trial captured widespread media attention for its unusual details. Ellis’s lawyer repeatedly referenced Cardi B’s nails, while fans gathered outside the courthouse with supportive signs. One local resident, Christine Orozco, held a handwritten sign reading, “If the nail don’t fit, u must acquit”—a playful nod to the infamous O.J. Simpson trial.
Cardi B reportedly laughed when she saw the sign, with Orozco later remarking: “She had a round tip that day, not a sharp tip.”
Since the trial was civil rather than criminal, the jury was tasked with deciding liability and potential compensation rather than criminal punishment. With the verdict in her favor, Cardi B will not owe any damages to Ellis.
The decision marks the end of a six-year legal battle, reinforcing the rapper’s stance that she never physically harmed the security guard.
