Why Is Cardi B in Court? Her 2025 Security Guard Lawsuit Trial Explained

Cardi B recently testified in court for a civil trial that stems from a 2020 lawsuit brought forth by a security guard accusing the rapper of assault.

Cardi (real name, Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar) has denied all wrongdoing, claiming the plaintiff — who is seeking $24 million — is looking for a payout.

The rapper, 32, was four months pregnant at the time of the alleged incident, which took place on her way to a medical appointment related to her pregnancy. At the time, she had not publicly revealed she was expecting her first child yet. (The rapper shares daughter Kulture, as well as two younger children, with ex-husband Offset, whom they welcomed in 2018, 2021 and 2024, respectively.)

Cardi has alleged the security guard invaded her privacy by trying to film her. While appearing in court, she has been going viral due to her commentary on what allegedly transpired leading up to the altercation and lawsuit filed.

Us Weekly is breaking down the court case and ongoing trial:

Why Is Cardi B Being Sued?

Cardi was sued in 2020 by a security guard, Emani Ellis, who claims the music artist assaulted her in the hallway outside of a Beverly Hills medical office in 2018, alleging that Cardi cut her face with a fingernail, spat on her and used racial slurs during the altercation.

A dispute between the two allegedly erupted because Cardi believed Ellis was taking video of her on a cellphone.

Ellis accused Cardi of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and false imprisonment following the incident. Furthermore, Ellis claims the lyricist “used her celebrity status” to get her fired from her job and allegedly had involvement in destroying video surveillance footage.

As a result of the incident, Ellis has received “psychological and medical treatment,” per court docs obtained by Today.com from the 2020 lawsuit.

Cardi, however, has vehemently denied Ellis’ claims, alleging that she only had a verbal altercation with the security official.

What Did Cardi B Say as She Testified in Her Trial?

According to social media videos of Cardi’s testimony on August 26, 2025, Ellis was the instigator, claiming she followed her down a hallway as she arrived at the doctor’s office for an appointment.

The performer confronted the security guard after noticing that Ellis was seemingly trying to record her during the visit, asking why she was following her and trying to sneak footage, and Ellis allegedly replied, “Because I can,” to which Cardi replied, “No, you can’t.”

During cross-examination, Cardi claimed they were standing “chest to chest” and she yelled, “B****, get the f*** out of my face.”

“We’re literally screaming at each other,” Cardi further alleged, claiming it never crossed that line. “I didn’t touch her. It was like a verbal fight, but it didn’t get physical at all.”

The former security guard offered a different side of the story, testifying in court on August 25, 2025, that she was excited after seeing Cardi get off an elevator at the office, and said, “Wow, it’s Cardi B” before things took a turn for the worst.

Ellis claimed that she tried to reassure Cardi that she wasn’t telling anyone about her visit, per CourtTV.

Cardi B Went Viral for her Court Looks and Wigs During the Trial

Cardi’s hair became a topic of conversation during her cross-examination on August 26, 2025, when the lawyer asked the hitmaker if she had “black hair, blonde hair or different color hair” at the time the incident went down. “Yesterday you had black hair, short hair. Today it’s blonde and long. Which one is your real hair? Or are they both real?” he inquired.

She got a laugh out of the question, before clearing the air by stating, “They’re wigs.”

“Sorry, I didn’t know that. It’s a good wig today, then,” the lawyer replied.

Fans couldn’t help but comment on Cardi’s fashion-forward look when she arrived at court in a gray fuzzy coat and matching tweed pants that day, carrying a Louis Vuitton purse.

The following day, she wore a white suit consisting of a structured blazer with rounded shoulders paired with wide-leg pants.

Cardi’s trial resumes Tuesday, September 2, 2025.