Cardi B Testifies Security Guard Is Suing Her for $24 Million

Cardi B told jurors Wednesday that the female security guard suing her with claims of assault is asking for a whopping $24 million.

The Grammy-winning rapper took the witness stand for a second day, recounting more details of the confrontation with plaintiff Emani Ellis that unfolded outside an OB-GYN’s office on Feb. 24, 2018. Cardi, born Belcalis Almánzar, was about four months pregnant at the time, visiting the doctor’s office in secret, she testified.

Almánzar claims Ellis blurted out her name with a phone to her ear when she spotted the “I Like It” singer exit a fifth-floor elevator. She says Ellis then appeared to be recording her. When Almánzar asked her to stop, a verbal altercation ensued, she testified Tuesday and Wednesday. On Monday, Ellis told jurors that Almánzar falsely accused her of recording, got in her face, and cut her left cheek with a three-inch fingernail.  

“She’s trying to get some money,” Almánzar said under questioning by Ellis’ lawyer Wednesday. “She’s suing me for $24 million.”

Ellis, 32, first sued Cardi in February 2020. In her 13-page complaint, she claimed Almánzar physically attacked her and then “used her celebrity status to get [her] fired.” On Monday, Ellis’ lawyer confirmed his client had dropped the employment claim related to the alleged plot to get her fired.

Asked Wednesday if she was “disabled” during the incident, Almánzar gave a one-liner that caused several jurors to chuckle. “At that moment, when you’re pregnant, I’m very disabled,” she deadpanned. “You want me to tell you the things I can’t do?”