A California jury on September 2, 2025, cleared American rapper Cardi B of all liability in a $24 million civil assault lawsuit filed against her by a former security guard, ending a seven-year legal battle that stemmed from an alleged incident in 2018.
The case was brought by Emani Ellis, who accused the Grammy-winning artist of assaulting her outside a Beverly Hills obstetrician’s office in February 2018.
Ellis claimed Cardi B, who was pregnant at the time but had not gone public with the news, scratched her, spat on her, and hurled racial slurs after becoming angry at being photographed.
The lawsuit, filed later that year, sought $24 million in damages.
During the two-week trial in Los Angeles Superior Court, Ellis testified that she feared for her safety and dignity, alleging the encounter left her traumatized.
Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Almánzar, denied all physical contact and said she only exchanged harsh words with Ellis after the guard tried to invade her privacy during a sensitive medical visit.
Witnesses including a receptionist and the attending physician supported Cardi B’s version of events, testifying that they saw no assault take place.
After less than an hour of deliberation, the jury unanimously found in favor of Cardi B, concluding that Ellis had not proven her claims.
The ruling was welcomed by the rapper, who told reporters outside the courthouse that she was relieved the case was over.
She also issued a warning to anyone considering filing similar suits against her in the future, saying she would countersue those who attempt frivolous claims.
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The courtroom drama did not end with the verdict. Cardi B clashed with a reporter who asked about rumors of another pregnancy, throwing a marker in his direction. She called the question “disrespectful.”
She urged journalists to avoid speculation about women’s bodies, saying such questions should be handled with respect.
Ellis, speaking after the verdict, said she was disappointed but grateful that her case was heard.
Her attorney indicated plans to appeal, keeping the possibility of further legal proceedings alive.
The lawsuit has followed Cardi B throughout her career since it was filed in 2018, at a time when she was preparing for the birth of her first child and rising rapidly in the music industry.
Now 32, she has faced and settled multiple legal disputes over the years, including an earlier criminal case in New York in 2022, when she pleaded guilty to assault charges related to a strip club altercation and performed community service.
The latest verdict comes as Cardi B prepares for the release of her new album, Am I the Drama?, scheduled for September 19, 2025.