Cardi B wins $24 million assault lawsuit after Los Angeles jury rules in her favor

Cardi B has prevailed in a high-profile civil case that placed her 2018 altercation with a security guard under the microscope. A Los Angeles jury ruled in the rapper’s favor this week, clearing her of assault accusations tied to a lawsuit once valued at $24 million, according to Rolling Stone.

The case stemmed from a confrontation outside an obstetrician’s office, where Emani Ellis alleged the Grammy winner injured her. Ellis claimed Cardi B's fingernail cut her face during the exchange.

On the witness stand, Emani Ellis recounted what she says happened that day.

“She was extremely upset. She put her finger in my face. I was deeply traumatized about what happened.”

She also testified that she never recorded Cardi B, stating:

“I was not talking to anyone on my phone.”

Her original complaint accused the artist of spitting on her, using “racial slurs,” and causing her to lose her job. By the time the trial began last week, however, her attorney, Ron Rosen Janfaza, told jurors those claims had been dropped.

Janfaza explained that his client was no longer seeking $24 million in damages but instead was pursuing coverage for medical costs plus $250,000 in additional compensation. Janfaza argued in court:

“She was abused. She was harmed. She was assaulted and battered by Cardi B, and Cardi B needs to pay for that."

Cardi B’s version of events painted a different picture. She told jurors Ellis had crossed personal boundaries by filming her at the doctor’s office while she was pregnant. The rapper recalled:

“Now, we’re like chest to chest. I’m thinking to myself, this girl is big. She’s got big black boots on. I’m like, damn, what the hell am I going to do now? She’s literally right in my face, like, on my chest, and we’re arguing, I’m telling her to back up. And she’s not backing up.”

The Am I The Drama? star maintained that Ellis’ behavior amounted to an invasion of privacy, describing the exchange as a heated “debate” rather than an assault.

---

Cardi B throws marker at reporter who asked about her alleged fourth pregnancy with ex Offset: "Act like you have some manners"

The trial drew national attention not only because of the dollar figure involved but also due to Cardi B’s larger-than-life courtroom presence. Clips of her testimony, fashion choices, and unscripted remarks also became fodder for viral memes across platforms.

Recently, the Bodak Yellow hitmaker made headlines for throwing a marker at a reporter who asked her about her alleged fourth pregnancy with her ex, Offset. In a video, the reporter is heard:

“Insiders are claiming that Offset is publicly bragging about getting you pregnant for the fourth time. Do you foresee any paternity issues with Stefon Diggs?”

Calmly, the rapper is seen approaching a fan, taking a pen, and then throwing it at the reporter before a security guard ushered her to the car.

"Stop disrespecting me."

Before boarding the vehicle, she turned to look at the reporter again after they shouted that they still love the artist, despite having been hit with a marker.

The WAP singer snapped:

"I don't care. You’re disrespectful, don’t do that. Do you see women asking those type of questions to me? Why do you feel, as a man, [that] you get to ask me those type of questions?"

She went on:

"Act like you have some manners. And your mama taught you: respect women.”

Meanwhile, Cardi B's second studio album, Am I the Drama?, is slated for release on September 19.

Apart from the new collection, the rapper will also hit the road again as she enthusiastically teased a tour announcement on September 2 on X:

"I'm so excited! After all these album rollout and album duties, I'll go straight into tour prep, so there's no time to waste."