Cardi B took the stand on day 3 of her civil trial in Los Angeles on Wednesday. A former security guard sued the rapper for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence stemming from a 2018 incident.
Cardi B, 32, testified as a hostile witness, meaning her testimony was antagonistic, difficult and uncooperative. Therefore, the judge allowed the plaintiff’s lawyer to ask Cardi B questions that pushed her to answer in a particular way.
The mom-of-4 wore a black wig and a white pantsuit to court. She denied spitting on plaintiff Emani Ellis during their altercation at a Beverly Hills obstetrician’s office in 2018. Cardi was there for a prenatal appointment while 4 months pregnant with her first child.
Cardi said she didn’t touch Emani, but she admitted calling her a “b–h.”
When asked to describe the encounter in her own words, Cardi B replied, “I said ‘b–h, get the f–k out ma face. Why are you in ma face? Why are you recording me? Ain’t you supposed to be security?'”
The lawyer ordered Cardi to say it directly to Emani’s face in the courtroom. But Cardi B’s lawyer objected and asked the judge to restore “civility in the courtroom.” The judge sustained his objection and told the lawyer to move on.
When Emani saw Cardi B get off the elevator, she acted starstruck over the rapper.
“Wow, that’s Cardi B,” she said while allegedly recording the rapper with her cellphone.
Cardi was upset because her pregnancy was not yet public.
“I didn’t really want people to recognize me; my hair not done, my makeup not done.”
Cardi said she didn’t attack Emani because the security guard was bigger than her.
“How do you know that?” the lawyer asked.
“I mean look,” Cardi B said while pointing to her own eyes and to Emani.
“What is your basis? Are you saying she’s physically bigger, taller?” the lawyer pressed her.
Cardi said, “I mean, you have her medical records, right? I mean, I was 130 pounds at that time.”
Cardi denied calling Emani fat. “No. I was calling her a b–h,” she said.
Cardi B in court today was like an SNL skit ? pic.twitter.com/ZiZBkI9xw3
— Brimcess (@Belcardi11) August 27, 2025
Tierra Malcolm, a receptionist at the doctor’s office, was called to the stand to testify as a defense witness. She confirmed Cardi B’s version of the events.
She said the doctor’s office had closed early to give Cardi B some privacy during her appointment.
Tierra said when she heard the commotion in the hallway, she immediately got between them and tried to calm the situation down. Emani allegedly scratched Tierra’s forehead while the receptionist tried to calm her down. Tierra said she saw no injuries, cuts, blood or saliva on Emani.
Watch Cardi B’s full testimony below.
