Cardi B’s $24 million civil trial in Los Angeles continued on Thursday, generating several viral moments that quickly became a sensation online. The Grammy-winning rapper, whose real name is Belcalis Almánzar, is defending herself against a former security guard, Emani Ellis, who claims Cardi assaulted her in 2018.
Allegations Against Cardi B:
According to The Guardian, Ellis alleges that during an incident outside a Beverly Hills doctor’s office, Cardi spit on her, scratched her face, and verbally abused her. The WAP singer, however, maintains that the confrontation never turned physical.
The day began with a lighthearted exchange when the defense attorney appeared baffled by the American rapper’s constantly changing hairstyles. Switching between a short black pixie cut and long blonde curls, the lawyer asked, “Which one is your real hair? Or are they both real?” According to People, Cardi responded instantly with, “They’re wigs!” a quip that drew laughter in the courtroom and quickly went viral.
Later, however, Cardi’s temper flared as she recounted the clash with Ellis. She reenacted the moment for the jury, saying, “B****, get the f*** out of my face. Why are you in my face? Why are you recording me?”
The Bodak Yellow singer repeatedly emphasized that she was four months pregnant at the time of the alleged altercation, stating it made her extra cautious. She testified, “She couldn’t get a scratch from me because I didn’t touch her. I didn’t because I had a baby inside me,” as reported by The Guardian.
In a moment that perfectly captured the mix of tension and spectacle, Cardi exclaimed, “I’m pregnant. This girl’s about to beat my ass. Hello?” The line, delivered with her signature humor, became the most quoted soundbite of the day and spread rapidly online, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Cardi’s candid remarks, her viral courtroom style, and the testimony of witnesses—including a receptionist and her OB-GYN who both said they saw no evidence of injury—have fueled widespread media coverage. The trial is expected to continue into next week, with closing arguments likely to follow soon.
