Security guard's accusation against Cardi B about physical contact, denied in court by the rapper.
In a small courthouse outside Los Angeles, a week-long trial has been unfolding, a rare occurrence involving celebrities. At the heart of the trial is rapper Cardi B, who is being sued for $24 million by security guard Emani Ellis.
The altercation between Cardi B and Ellis took place in 2018 outside a gynecologist's office, where Cardi B was attending a sensitive pregnancy appointment. The obstetrician's office was closed for Cardi B's privacy during the altercation.
Cardi B, who was four months into her first pregnancy with rapper Offset, denied any physical attack on Ellis. She claimed that Ellis was following her without permission and filming her, which she found intrusive and threatening. The security guard, however, alleges that Cardi B cut her face with a fingernail and spat on her.
Tierra Malcolm, the receptionist from the doctor's office, testified in support of Cardi B's account. She did not see any physical fighting during the altercation, but noticed a scratch on her own face that she assumed came from Ellis. Malcolm did not swear to her statement, but Judge Ian C. Fusselman allowed her to describe the argument as it unfolded, eliciting laughter in the courtroom.
Ellis, who is seeking damages that include medical expenses, compensation for emotional and physical suffering, lost wages, and punitive damages, did not specify a total amount in the lawsuit. Ellis testified earlier in the trial that the incident left her humiliated, traumatized, and in need of cosmetic surgery.
Cardi B stated in court that the dispute remained verbal, and she testified that her acrylic nails with rhinestones were not sharp or harmful. She also expressed her fear that Ellis would out the fact that she was pregnant, which she chose to keep secret at the time due to concerns about what others were saying and thinking.
The trial took a week off and is expected to resume and conclude next week. The testimony focused on the details of the altercation between Cardi B and Ellis, with both women presenting their versions of the events. Despite the tension, the courtroom was filled with a sense of anticipation, as the outcome of the trial could have significant implications for both parties involved.
