Cardi B Faces Court: A Tense Showdown Over Celebrity Rights and Privacy Issues

Cardi B declared in court on Wednesday that she did not physically assault a security guard who claims the singer attacked her face with a fingernail and spat on her during a confrontation at a medical office specializing in obstetrics, at a time when Cardi B’s pregnancy had not yet been disclosed to the public.

“It was impossible for her to get a scratch from me, as I never laid a hand on her,” Cardi B asserted during her second day of testimony at a county court in Los Angeles.

During cross-examination, Ron Rosen Janfaza, the attorney for the complainant Emani Ellis, inquired if anger was a factor in the incident. “Yes, I was angry! I was pregnant at that time!” Cardi B responded passionately. “And this woman was about to attack me!”

She admitted that the altercation was intense, recounting the profanities exchanged, and mentioned that at one point they were face-to-face. However, she emphasized that the altercation did not turn physical.

“She never laid a hand on me,” Cardi B reiterated. “She was about to, but she never actually did.”

Cardi B explained that the medical office was closed off to other patients that Saturday, ensuring her privacy. She described how Ellis, the building’s security guard, had followed her to her appointment on the fifth floor. According to Cardi B, she overheard Ellis mentioning her name over the phone and suspected she was being recorded, which raised fears that her pregnancy might be publicly exposed.

“I confronted her about recording me,” Cardi B testified. “She then apologized, almost immediately.”

The dispute escalated quickly, according to her account. “As we argued, she kept backing me into a corner,” Cardi B said.

Both women, aged 32 and of similar height, had a physical disparity, with Cardi B noting that Ellis appeared physically more robust. “She seemed well-suited for security work; she looked like she could defend the building,” Cardi B observed.

Under more sympathetic questioning from her own lawyer, Cardi B shared why she had kept her pregnancy a secret at the time, which was about seven months after releasing her major hit “Bodak Yellow.” She was still navigating her initial fame. “I was adjusting to everything,” she remarked. “I was overly concerned with public opinion and felt like I was disappointing many people.”

Moreover, she stressed how much she values privacy regarding her health, “especially with something as personal as pregnancy. It belongs to you.”

Significant attention was given to discussing the acrylic nails Cardi B wore during that week, adorned with rhinestones, and whether they could have caused the alleged injuries. “They were coffin-shaped, not sharp,” she clarified.

Earlier in the trial, Ellis had testified that the incident left her feeling humiliated and traumatized, and that she required cosmetic surgery for a scar on her face. After losing her job due to the incident, Ellis is seeking compensation covering medical costs, emotional and physical distress, lost wages, and punitive damages. The total sum wasn’t specified in the lawsuit, but Cardi B mentioned from the stand, “She’s suing me for $24 million.”

Tierra Malcolm, a receptionist at the doctor’s office who intervened during their argument, testified on Wednesday, largely supporting Cardi B’s version of events. She reported stepping out into the hallway upon hearing the disturbance but saw no physical altercation. Malcolm noted a scratch on her own face later, which she presumed was caused by Ellis since she was facing her, with her back towards Cardi B.

When asked to describe the nature of the argument, Malcolm hesitated, unsure if swearing was permissible in court. “We’ve pretty much heard everything by now, so go ahead,” Judge Ian C. Fusselman responded, prompting laughter in the courtroom.

The testimony took place in a small courthouse in Alhambra, outside Los Angeles, where celebrity trials are uncommon. The trial is set to continue after a break, resuming and likely concluding next week.