Wigs, wit and winning: Cardi B cleared of assault claims in court

When gossip meets the gavel, you know headlines are brewing.

This week, Grammy-winner Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, emerged victorious in court after being cleared of a civil lawsuit brought by former security guard Emani Ellis.

A Los Angeles jury ruled unanimously in less than an hour: there was no assault. Gone were the claims of scratches, spitting and slurs, so clearly, all part of a verbal clash, not a physical one

Back in 2020, Emani Ellis filed a lawsuit claiming that Cardi B physically attacked her in the hallway of a Beverly Hills obstetrician’s office in 2018.

Allegations included assault, battery, slurs and emotional distress. Ellis even said Cardi B used her star power to get her fired and had video footage destroyed. Cardi B, ever the truth-teller, denied all of it.

Viral courtroom performance

Fast-forward to September 2, 2025, when Cardi was cleared of all allegations.

But what really turned heads were the clips of her in the witness stand rocking ever-changing wigs (one day blonde, the next day sleek black), making faces that spoke louder than words, and firing back with blunt, expletive-drenched comebacks.

She was everything we secretly hope celebrities will be: real, unfiltered and utterly unforgettable.

According to online reports at the time of the alleged altercation, the "WAP" singer was four months pregnant with her first child, Kulture, now 7. She was trying to keep her pregnancy private, which added tension to her testimony.

But Cardi never wavered. From day one, she denied all allegations.

If you missed the clips, let’s just say Cardi B in court was peak Cardi B.

During cross-examination, she cut straight to the point with her signature unfiltered energy. Per the "Los Angeles Times", she snapped at Ellis: “B---h, get the f--k outta my face. Why you in my face? Why you recording me? Ain’t you supposed to be security?”

Her deadpan expressions, eye rolls, and wig changes (yes, she switched up her look daily, blonde one day, jet-black the next) gave fans endless meme material. On TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), users joked that she turned the court into a reality show, one wig at a time.

But when the jury cleared her, the star got serious. Standing outside the courthouse, she made her position clear:

“Even if I’m at my deathbed, I swear to God, I will say it, I did not touch that woman, “ said Cardi B in a clip by "NBC News"

Beyond the theatrics, Cardi B used the moment to highlight a bigger issue: how celebrities often become easy targets for lawsuits.

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, she thanked her legal team, the judge, the press, and her fans for their support. Then she revealed something personal: she had missed her kids’ first day of school because of the trial.

That frustration came through as she warned against “frivolous lawsuits”.

“The next person that tries to do a frivolous lawsuit against me, I’m going to countersue, and I’m gonna make you pay. Don’t ever think you can just sue me and I’ll roll over and give you my hard-earned money. I work too hard for my kids.”

Cardi B also called on her fans to show restraint, asking them not to harass Ellis online: “Don’t go bother her. Don’t talk about how she looks. Don’t call her no nasty names. I hope this is something we both leave behind.”

Cardi B’s case isn’t unique. Hollywood stars frequently face lawsuits, ranging from defamation claims to contract disputes. For celebrities, it’s the price of fame: public figures often become targets for legal battles, some legitimate and others not.

Her decision to publicly threaten countersuits could shift how stars respond. Instead of quietly settling, more celebrities may fight back, especially in an era where reputations are shaped instantly online.

Cardi B’s latest legal victory, wrapped in unfiltered testimony and heartfelt declarations, is both a redemption story and a cultural moment