Who is Emani Ellis? Accuser in Cardi B's $24M lawsuit speaks out after jury clears rapper

Emani Ellis is the plaintiff who accused Cardi B of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment over the incident. Ellis is suing Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar for $24 million over an incident that occurred seven years ago. However, Belcalis denied the allegations against her and said that Ellis is simply trying to get a financial payout out of the trial.

During the incident, Emani Ellis was working as a security guard at the Beverly Hills Medical Center. Ellis testified that she has never assaulted or battered anyone in the past. When she was asked how she got the security job, Emani answered:

"You have to get finger-printed and it's sent to the state of California for approval."

However, because of the long-drawn legal battle with Cardi B, Emani Ellis was let go from her previous job as a security guard. She revealed that she is now working as a social worker.

"I work with low-income families to access resources," Ellis said.

What did Emani Ellis say after the jury's verdict?

The court trial between Emani Ellis and Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar has ended. The jury has decided that Almánzar is clear of the assault charges that Ellis placed.

After the court session, Emani spoke to the press. They asked her if she was disappointed with the verdict, to which she replied:

"Not at all. I don't think that it reflects the truth, but I'm not disappointed. We know that the justice system is sometimes flawed, and unfortunately, that was the case for me. Like I said, I still stand firm on my position, I still stand firm on my attorney. I think we fought a good fight, but like I said, more importantly, it's about accountability."

She continued:

"I had my day in court, I showed up, and I held my head high, and I can walk away and say that 'I showed up,' and she had to look me in the eye. I had to look her in the eye, and we did our best."

The press also asked Ellis how she felt about the "defendant's" (Cardi B's) conduct in court. Emani answered by saying:

"I thought it was totally unprofessional. I think it showed volumes of her character, the type of person that she is. A lot of her body language, her body gestures, facial expressions, her disrespect for the court, I think, speak of who she is. I think we saw how I conducted myself during this trial, and I think that speaks volumes."

Before concluding the interview, another reporter asked Ellis what she plans to do next, and she revealed that she is planning to go to law school. They asked if the case was why she decided to pursue law, and in her words:

"I'm going to law school... I already had plans on going to law school, but I think during this case, it kind of amplified a lot of those dreams."

They also asked Emani if she thinks she has been "painted in a bad light." She answered:

"I think from the defendant, yes. But that's what she's gonna do, she's gonna make me seem like a bad person. I know who I am, I know the things that I've accomplished, so that's all that matters to me."

When asked if she is still a fan of the singer, she immediately said 'no,' and revealed that she won't be listening to Cardi B's upcoming album.

Before Ellis spoke with the press, Cardi B asked her fans not to slander and say things behind her back. The news reporter asked Emani if that meant anything to her, to which she responded:

"That's news to me. She never told me that, she's never even offered me an apology, so I'm not sure."

Emani Ellis' attorney, Ron Rosen Janfaza, added that he disagrees with the court's verdict, and their "intention is to appeal." He also pointed out Cardi B's behavior a few hours earlier when she threw a pen at a reporter.

The verdict of the jury cleared Cardi B of all charges brought against her by Emani Ellis. Ellis expressed disappointment in the justice system, but she is determined to move forward, planning to pursue law school.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback