Rapper Cardi B was cleared of assault on Tuesday in a $24 million (Sh3 billion) civil trial in which she was accused of slashing a woman’s face with her fingernails.
A colorful hearing in Los Angeles last week featured the “WAP” artist sporting wildly different wigs and sparring with lawyers, creating numerous viral moments.
A jury in the city dismissed claims by plaintiff Emani Ellis that the then-pregnant singer assaulted her while she was on her way to a medical appointment in Beverly Hills in 2018.
Ellis, who is Black, had alleged that Cardi B, who is also Black, shouted racial slurs, spat on her, and scratched her face with long fingernails during the altercation.
The “No Limit” star, now 32, told the court that Ellis had aggressively approached her, attempting to film her on a phone as she entered the doctor’s office.
“At the time, (Cardi B) was roughly four months pregnant with her first child and had taken great care to keep her pregnancy private and away from the scrutiny of tabloids and critics,” her lawyers explained.
Attorneys said Ellis had tried to intimidate the “Bodak Yellow” artist, leading to a profanity-laced screaming match before medical office staff intervened.
The jury dismissed the compensation claim.
After the verdict, Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar, insisted she had never attacked Ellis.
“I swear to God, I will say it on my deathbed, I did not touch that woman. I did not touch that woman,” she said.
“That being said, this time around I’m going to be nice,” she told reporters. “But the next person who tries to file a frivolous lawsuit against me, I’m going to counter-sue and make you pay. Don’t ever think you can sue me and I’m going to settle and just give you money, because that’s not going to happen.”