Rapper Cardi B appeared in a Los Angeles County courtroom on Wednesday to testify about an incident that happened in February 2018. The incident involved a confrontation with Emani Ellis, a security guard at an obstetrician’s office. Ellis claims Cardi B scratched her face with her fingernail and spat on her during the altercation. However, Cardi B strongly denied these allegations, insisting that she never made any physical contact. “She couldn’t get a scratch from me because I didn’t touch her,” Cardi said confidently while on the stand.

The trial, which is being held in a small courthouse in Alhambra, Los Angeles County, is unusual for celebrity cases. Cardi B’s testimony marked the second day of proceedings in this high-profile case.

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The Argument and Emotions

During cross-examination, Ellis’ lawyer Ron Rosen Janfaza asked Cardi if she had been angry during the confrontation. Cardi responded, “Yes I was angry! Because I’m pregnant!” She admitted that the argument was intense and that at one point the two women were chest-to-chest. Despite the tension, Cardi insisted that the disagreement never turned physical. “She didn’t touch me. She was going to touch me, but she didn’t get to touch me,” she said.

Cardi explained that she was in Los Angeles on business, promoting her music around the time of the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. She was four months pregnant with her first child with rapper Offset. At the time, Cardi had shared her pregnancy only with close friends and family, and not with the public.

Circumstances Leading to the Confrontation

Cardi B testified that she had scheduled a private appointment at an obstetrician’s office, which was closed to other patients to protect her privacy. She said that Ellis, the security guard, followed her to her appointment on the fifth floor of the building. Cardi said she overheard Ellis saying her name into a phone, seemingly filming her, which raised her concern that her pregnancy could be revealed publicly.

“I told her, ‘Why are you recording?’” Cardi said. Ellis replied, “‘Oh my bad.’ She practically apologized,” Cardi added. However, the disagreement escalated further when Ellis reportedly started walking into Cardi B, making the situation increasingly tense.

Physical Differences and Concerns

Both women are 32 years old and about the same height, but Cardi described Ellis as “bigger than me” and physically strong. “She is like, security-heavy. She just looks a little, like she could protect the building,” Cardi said. The rapper emphasized that despite the closeness of the encounter, no physical contact occurred on her part.

Protecting Her Privacy During Pregnancy

Cardi explained that one reason for keeping her pregnancy secret was her rising fame. The incident happened just seven months after the release of her breakout hit “Bodak Yellow,” a period she described as her “freshman year” in the music industry. “I was just so worried about what everybody was saying and thinking. I thought I was letting a lot of people down,” she testified.

She further explained the significance of privacy in medical matters. “It’s something so sacred as a pregnancy. It’s yours,” Cardi said, highlighting why she took the precaution of keeping her pregnancy private from the public.

The Role of Acrylic Nails

A large portion of Cardi B’s testimony focused on the acrylic nails she was wearing during the incident. These nails had rhinestones and were coffin-shaped. Ellis claims that these nails caused the scratch on her face. Cardi countered this claim, saying, “It wasn’t a shape that was harming. They weren’t sharp,” indicating that her nails could not have caused the alleged injury.

Claims and Lawsuit Details by Emani Ellis

Emani Ellis, the security guard, testified earlier in the trial. She said the incident left her feeling humiliated and traumatized, and the scratch on her face required cosmetic surgery. Ellis lost her job as a result of the incident and is seeking damages that cover medical expenses, emotional and physical suffering, lost wages, and punitive damages. Cardi testified that Ellis is suing her for $24 million, although the lawsuit does not specify an exact amount for all claims.

Receptionist Witness Supports Cardi’s Account

Tierra Malcolm, a receptionist at the doctor’s office, also testified in court. She said she heard a commotion outside the office but did not witness any physical altercation. Malcolm noticed a scratch on her own face, which she assumed was caused by Ellis because of their positioning. When asked to describe the argument, she hesitated about swearing in court. “We’ve heard just about everything so far, so it’s OK,” Judge Ian C. Fusselman said, prompting laughter from the courtroom.

Courtroom Atmosphere and Trial Setting

The trial is being held in a smaller courthouse outside central Los Angeles. Celebrity cases are rare in this venue, and the courtroom was reportedly filled with anticipation. The trial paused for the remainder of the week and is expected to resume and conclude next week.

Cardi B firmly denied causing any physical harm to Emani Ellis during the February 2018 dispute outside an obstetrician’s office. She described the argument as heated and intense but insisted that it never became physical. Cardi explained that she was keeping her pregnancy private due to her rising fame and the personal nature of pregnancy. She also defended herself against claims that her acrylic nails caused injury. Testimony from a receptionist, Tierra Malcolm, largely supported Cardi’s account, while Ellis continues to seek $24 million in damages for alleged physical, emotional, and financial harm.

The case has drawn attention due to Cardi B’s celebrity status and the serious nature of the allegations. The trial is expected to continue next week, where both parties will likely present further evidence and arguments before the court reaches a decision.